Dominican Sisters of San Rafael

05/20/2026

Congratulations to Sr. Judy Lu McDonnell, OP, who recently attended the Nurses’ Gala and Awards Night at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton. Serving as a judge for the student essay contest awarding nursing scholarships, she also had the honor of presenting an award in the name of Sister Mary Gabriel Lally, OP, the legendary longtime administrator whose visionary leadership helped transform St. Joseph’s into a leading regional medical center.

Sr. Judy Lu’s presence at this celebration reflects the enduring relationship between St. Joseph’s and the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael—our relationship started at the very beginning, and we are delighted to continue to support its mission today. It is a meaningful testament to a shared legacy of excellence, compassionate care, and ongoing commitment to healthcare, education, and service in the Stockton community.

Pictured: Sr. Judy Lu McDonnell, Der Yang (St. Joseph's Foundation), and Lynn Kirkconnell

05/19/2026

✨ A Blessing for Hands That Heal ✨

On May 13, Sisters Cyndie Cammack, OP and Mary Kieffer, OP were honored to represent the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael at the ribbon-cutting and Blessing of Hands for the newly renovated and expanded Nell J. Redfield Health Center on Neil Road in Reno.

Community leaders gathered to celebrate this important milestone for Community Health Alliance (CHA), whose expanded clinic now offers integrated care for adults and children—including primary care, behavioral health services, an on-site low-cost pharmacy, maternal-child health, and a prescription food pantry. Supported in part by City of Reno ARPA funding, the expansion will allow CHA to serve thousands more patients each year, strengthening access to dignified, affordable healthcare for families across Reno and Sparks.

Sisters Cyndie and Mary blessed the hands of the entire clinic staff—including CEO Oscar Delgado and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Maria Fernandez—honoring the sacred work they do each day in service to the community.

For more than 20 years, the Neil Road clinic has been a place where generations of families have received care. This expansion is more than a renovation—it is a commitment to health equity, community-based care, and a future where access to healthcare helps shape stronger neighborhoods for generations to come. 💙

Congratulations to Community Health Alliance on this inspiring milestone, and heartfelt thanks to the City of Reno and all partners who made it possible.

05/13/2026

✨ A Sacred Field Trip Rooted in Art, Faith, and Friendship ✨

Today, a group of Dominican Sisters enjoyed a special field trip to Marin Catholic High School to experience the stunning Book of Kells exhibit, now on permanent display. The visit followed a meaningful gathering just one week ago at Dominican Convent, when the exhibit’s artist—who wishes to remain anonymous—shared his remarkable journey of faith and creativity with the Sisters.

During his visit, the artist spoke about first encountering the Book of Kells and feeling called to bring these ancient manuscripts to life through large-scale glass mosaics. He reflected on years of trial and error, experimenting with materials, adhesives, and techniques, and ultimately developing a glass art tradition uniquely his own. At the heart of his work was a deep spiritual journey—one that honors sacred texts while reimagining them in radiant new light.

We are deeply grateful to Marin Catholic President Tim Navone as well as Terry Powers from the Office of the President and Advancement, who coordinated today’s visit and thoughtfully guided us through the exhibit. Special thanks as well to Father Ginter, who spent time with the Sisters, and to our dear friend Lianni Castro from Campus Ministry for her warm welcome and accompaniment.

Joining and assisting the Sisters were Dominican staff members Francie Bedinger, Alison Moritz, and Eileen Mize, a Marin Catholic alum whose love for the Book of Kells—sparked by a feature in Catholic San Francisco —helped bring this experience together. Francie, Eileen, and Sr. Anne Dolan have each had the privilege of seeing the original Book of Kells at Trinity College in Dublin, adding yet another layer of connection to the day.

The outing concluded with quiet reflection in Marin Catholic's St. Francis Chapel, where the Sisters took in the breathtaking stained-glass window behind the altar—its mountain horizon mirroring the very real outline of Mount Tamalpais just beyond.

A truly grace-filled day of beauty, story, faith, and gratitude. 💙

More on the exhibit: https://sfarch.org/book-of-kells/

05/12/2026

Gather@Grand, Session #5 🦉🐿️
We Know Where You Live continued with a thoughtful, lively exploration of squirrels, owls, and our shared responsibility for the world we inhabit. Sisters Abby Newton, Barbara Green, Christina Atienza, and Cyndie Cammack guided us through insights from Laudato Si’, honest questions about faith, ecology, and human impact, and moments of wonder—both indoors and outside.

From deep reflection to curious observation, this session reminded us that learning, listening, and paying attention to the natural world are all part of the adventure. Grateful for the wisdom, dialogue, and community that keep Gather@Grand growing. 🌿

Final Gathering of the Spring Series is Coming Up
We Want to Know Where You Live: Animals Living on the Grounds of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael

Session 6: May 22 (Srs. Adele, Aaron, and Barbara on Corvids—Crows and Ravens)
Time: 10 am–12 pm
Location: The Gathering Space

Each session includes three elements:
A reflection that deepens our understanding of Laudato Si’
Insight into a featured animal, shared by the presenter
An opportunity to view or experience that animal outdoors

REGISTER: https://sanrafaelop.org/event/gathergrand-we-know-where-you-live-5/

05/12/2026

Two of our sisters, Sisters Brigid Noonan and Patricia Dougherty, were honored to attend the Mother’s Day Luncheon fundraiser for the Center for Domestic Peace—a longtime community partner whose mission we deeply share with families, and working for lasting peace in our community. From early collaborations through Dominican University to significant support for shelter expansion, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to dignity, safety, and justice for all. We are grateful for the chance to gather, listen, and continue walking together toward a more peaceful future. 💐

05/09/2026

05/07/2026

Just a week and a half away from a new Gather@Grand offering facilitated by Sr. Carla Kovack, OP—a morning of reflection that centers on listening as the doorway to becoming a synodal church.

Learn more and register:
https://sanrafaelop.org/event/gathergrand-sitting-at-the-table/

05/01/2026

Dominican Convent staff and residents enjoyed a special celebration of Sr. Katherine Hamilton's Feast Day, which is April 29—also the Feast Day of our Dominican Sr. Catherine of Siena.

04/30/2026

Building for the Future, Rooted in Faith and Service 🌱🏥

The April 29 groundbreaking for the new patient tower at St. Joseph’s Medical Center was more than the start of construction—it was a powerful reminder of the deep foundations on which this hospital was built.

From its opening in 1899 under the care of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, St. Joseph’s has been guided by a mission of compassion, dignity, and service to the people of Stockton and the greater San Joaquin Valley. That spirit was beautifully present as several sisters joined hospital leaders, caregivers, and community partners for this historic moment.

We were especially honored to see Sisters Abby Newton and Katherine Hamilton take part in the ceremonial turning of the soil. Sister Abby—who once served as Vice President for Mission at St. Joseph’s Medical Center—also shared reflections that connected the past, present, and future, reminding us that this work has always been about caring for the whole person.

As this new state-of-the-art patient tower rises, it carries forward more than expanded capacity and modern care—it carries a legacy begun as a dream, a prayer, and a hope over a century ago. Yesterday, that legacy took root once again, building for generations to come.

04/26/2026

Dominican Class of ’72! Sr. Abby’s dear friend and former classmate, Katherine Buxton Benouar '76, gets a nostalgic photo board together ahead of the festivities.