Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville

09/14/2026

This weekend, we celebrated FOUNDERS DAY which is the Founding of our Sisters in the United States. Four brave and prayerful women immigrated across the sea from Germany to minister to immigrants in America!

And LOOK WHAT GREW from that courage! The Amityville Dominican Sisters have founded schools, hospitals, orphanges, and many other ministries! THOUSANDS of sisters have ministered to millions of people -- and those people have ministered to more!

On this day, the sisters and Dominican friends meditated upon the words: "Tell the righteous all will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds." Isaiah 3:10

Let us plant good seeds, and do good deeds!

09/14/2026

Our own Sister Margaret Smyth was truly one of our signs of joy and hope to so many on Long Island.

🌿✨ 250 Sisters Who Shaped the USA: Sr. Margaret Smyth, OP ✨

For nearly 30 years, Sr. Margaret Smyth, OP, walked alongside the Latino community of the East End of Long Island, becoming a tireless advocate, compassionate presence, and beloved friend. 🤝❤️

As founder of the North Fork Spanish Apostolate, Sr. Margaret worked to put food on people’s tables, challenged employers who failed to pay fair wages, and accompanied those most in need. Known affectionately as “Hermana Margarita” and “mama,” she gave her life in service to others, guided by her deep faith and love of God. 🙏💞

When she died in 2022, hundreds gathered for her funeral, and newspapers remembered her as the “Mother Teresa of the East End.” Her legacy continues in the lives she touched and the community she served. 🌎🕊️

Join us as we celebrate 250 Dominican Sisters whose faith, courage, service, and gifts helped shape the United States! 🇺🇸✨



Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville

09/12/2026

In honor of the 25th anniversary of September 11th, we share our latest podcast this time with Dr. Terri Tobin -- a dear friend of our Congregation. Terri shares her story of being buried in debris during 9-11 as the tower collapsed ... yet she still helped to guide more than 100 people away from the wreckage.
She also shares more about her 41-year career in law enforcement as an NYPD Chief, her family’s deep roots in policing, and the life-altering events of September 11, 2001. Click the link below to watch this podcast entitled, "Faith, Service, and Survival on 9/11."
Special thanks to Stephen Yusko, the host of the podcast.

Terri Tobin — Faith, Service, and Survival on 9/11In this powerful ...

09/12/2026

Praying for the peace and healing only God can bring.

09/12/2026

Gathered in the Motherhouse Chapel on September 9th, our Sisters participated in "100 Days of Prayer" joining 195 Religious Congregations in the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR).

The Sisters gathered in spoken and contemplative prayer, especially focusing their prayers on the upcoming elections in November. The event was live-streamed so the larger Dominican family could participate. Sisters were encouraged to reach out to their representatives to support a renewal of our commitment for life, liberty, faith, and the flourishing of the human spirit for all. The prayer was lead by the Justice Committee.

Our Congregation chose to pray on this day, which was the Feast of St. Peter Claver, who supported, prayed with, and advocated for the slaves in Colombia in South America. St. Peter referred to himself as "Slave to the Slaves."

09/11/2026

⚖️✨ 250 Sisters Who Shaped the USA: Sr. Carol Coston, OP ✨

A pioneering social justice leader, Sr. Carol Coston, OP, dedicated her ministry to advocating for justice and amplifying the voice of Catholic Sisters. ✊🏽

As the first executive director of NETWORK, Sr. Carol helped shape the Catholic Sisters’ presence in the nation’s capital and played a key role in creating the Catholic Sisters lobby. In 2001, President Bill Clinton presented her with the Presidential Citizens Medal, the second-highest honor for civilians—and she was the first Catholic Sister to receive this distinction. 🏅

Through her courageous leadership and commitment to social justice, Sr. Carol helped empower Sisters to engage in advocacy and work for a more just and compassionate society.

Join us as we celebrate 250 Dominican Sisters whose faith, courage, service, and gifts helped shape the United States! 🇺🇸✨

09/10/2026

Thank you to the Dominican Sisters of Peace for their hospitality with Andrea Weiner as she travels the country, "Driven by Faith, Powered by Purpose." Learn more here: https://www.sistersofstdominic.org/driven-by-faith/.

🚗 A special Dominican visitor stopped by Columbus!

Today, we welcomed Andrea “Andy” Weiner, a longtime Dominican volunteer and donor connected to the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. For more than five weeks, Andy has been traveling cross-country to raise funds for St. Catherine’s Residence, a special unit of the Amityville Motherhouse caring for Sisters living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Along the way, Andy has visited Dominican Motherhouses and ministries across the country, learning more about our shared Dominican history, mission, and ministries.

Her visit to Columbus was the final Motherhouse stop of her journey! During her time here, she toured the Motherhouse and visited the Martin de Porres Center, Shepherd’s Corner and the Dominican Learning Center before hitting the road for New York, where her grandchildren are eagerly awaiting her return. ❤️

We’re so grateful Andy included the Dominican Sisters of Peace in her journey and enjoyed sharing our ministries with her!

Want to follow Andy’s journey and see photos and videos from her travels? Learn more about her “Driven by Faith” mission here: https://www.sistersofstdominic.org/driven-by-faith/

Safe travels, Andy! 👋 We’re glad you stopped in Columbus!

09/09/2026

Welcoming Associates from Amityville, Blauvelt, Racine, Caldwell and the Associate Committee, there was a special Dominican Associates retreat entitled "Embracing Dominican Life Together" on August 25th-27th at St. Joseph Villa in Hampton Bays.

It was led by Racine Dominican Sister Mare Wheeler and Sister Vicki Toale.

"I am feeling especially grateful for the beautiful experience of our Dominican Associates Retreat," said Associate Milena Morales.

"It was a wonderful time of prayer, reflection, fellowship, and renewal. Being together, sharing our faith and our stories, and taking time to reconnect with God and with one another was truly a blessing. A special thank you to everyone who helped make this retreat so meaningful and special. May we continue to grow together, remain deeply rooted in our faith, and bring the fruits of love, hope, and compassion wherever we go."

09/09/2026

On September 2nd, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville began the Season of Creation with a special prayer service in St. Albert Chapel and a Monarch Butterfly release!

Minutes before the Season of Creation Prayer Service, sisters and staff gathered in the rotunda of the Motherhouse to release a newly hatched Monarch butterfly!

"Noting that the Monarch Butterfly population has declined 80 to 90% in the past twenty years, this seemed like an important way to remind us that humans are called to be the caretakers and lovers of the Earth," said Lena Pennino-Smith, Co-Director of Communitcations for the Sisters, who spearheaded the Monarch Butterfly project at the Motherhouse.

For two weeks, Motherhouse sisters have observed a special butterfly enclosure on the third floor of the Motherhouse which lets viewers watch the cycle of metamorphosis from caterpillar to chrysalis to high-flying sensation!

The day of the prayer service, sisters and staff gazed upon the newly hatched orange and black butterfly, as well as a caterpillar munching on milkweed leaves and a green chrysalis in the butterfly enclosure. The sisters and employees asked many questions about these little critters and were excited to meet these creatures up close! They were encouraged to plant milkweed-- which is the villa and vittles of the Monarch caterpillar. (Milkweed is its only suitable shelter and food.)

After a short presentation and a prayer, Sister Irene Weiner volunteered to release the butterfly. It stayed on her hand for a few minutes before taking flight on its 2,000 mile journey to the Oyamel forests of Mexico for overwintering! We pray she makes it!

After the butterfly release, the sisters entered St. Albert's Chapel to hear reflections on the unfolding story of the universe as well as passages from the Book of Genesis as well as reflections on the unfolding story of the universe from "the Book of Creation" in the form of the Stations of the Cross prepared by the Ecumenical Steering Committee.

The service was led by Director of Pastoral Care Elizabeth Meehan, with readings proclaimed by Sister Ann Horn, Sister Fran Gorman, and Sister Jane Creighton.

"The Book of Ezekiel shaped this year’s theme of Living Water," said Elizabeth. "Thankful for Earth’s beauty and the precious gift of water, we prayed for the grace to honor these blessings as we renewed our commitment to responsible stewardship."