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Local News
Sept. 7, 2006
Dominican Sisters of Mary arrive in Phoenix, ‘hit the ground running’
By Mary Moore
The Catholic Sun
The new sisters of the Phoenix Diocese only had three days to settle into their new home before beginning classes.
Prayer, the Eucharist and a welcoming community made their transition a whole lot easier.
The Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist, put down roots in their recently refurbished convent at St. Thomas the Apostle last month, days before taking on teaching responsibilities.
Sisters Mary Magdalene and Mary David had to fit in orientations and a welcoming Mass — not to mention unpacking their bags — before teaching at St. Mary’s High School.
“We really hit the ground running,” Sr. Mary Magdalene said. “But everyone has been so open, welcoming and excited to see us. It fostered our own excitement to be here.”
As they maintain their full daily schedule of prayer and work, which runs from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., the sisters agreed that their disciplined prayer life keeps them stabilized.
“We have never had a mission before and coming here, I really experienced the beauty of our life and our prayer schedule,” Sr. Martin Therese said. “That keeps us rooted. Without that, it would be chaos.”
Sr. Maria Christi agreed.
“We would never be able to keep up
with all this overwhelming goodness from others, or greet them, or go to school each day and teach, if we didn’t have our time with our Lord for prayer,” she said.
“That is where all of our energy and our grace come from,” Sr. Maria Christi added. “From there, we are able to go outside the walls of this convent to greet others.”
The sisters also find comfort in believing that the new assignment and full schedule is part of God’s will.
“That is what I love about our life and our vow of obedience,” Sr. Maria Christi said. “There are special graces that come with that obedience. God is never outdone in generosity, and He won’t ask more from us than we can handle.”
Mark Mauro, principal of St. Mary’s High School, said he is “honored and ecstatic” about the sisters’ presence on his campus.
“Sr. Mary David and Sr. Mary Magdalene have been working tirelessly to transition into their new community, their new school, and their new students,” Mauro said.
Staff and parishioners at St. Thomas the Apostle are impressed with the peace and professionalism brought by their two new teachers, Sr. Martin Therese and Sr. Maria Christi.
Mauro believes their presence will benefit the students.
“Part of Catholic education is exposing students to this role model,” Mauro said. “Having the sisters here in this capacity gives students the opportunity to see their example of service and sacrifice, and helps them to consider their own role in religious life as adults.”
Sr. Mary David said they are enjoying their students while keeping in mind their call to teach in Phoenix.
“We know that God is calling each person to become a saint, and the only way that happens is through prayer and sacrifice and a life of virtue, and sometimes that sacrifice needs to be made by someone, even the students,” she said.
“The reason we are here is for the souls of our students, and of others,” Sr. Mary David said. “It’s just a great privilege to be a part of God’s mysterious workings even if you don’t know exactly what He is up to.”
Sr. Patricia Gehling, SND, principal at St. Thomas the Apostle, is thrilled to have more sisters on staff.
“I know their presence will be a blessing for the parish and school,” she said. “I am confident their educational competency will add another dimension to our already highly skilled and professional staff.”
In addition to the welcome they have received from the St. Thomas and St. Mary’s High School communities, the sisters noted the pastoral and fatherly welcome they received from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted, who celebrated their first Mass in the convent chapel.
“It was like Dad was coming up to greet us,” recalled Sr. Mary David. “He is such a father, and his presence really put us at ease.”
The bishop is happy to have the Dominican Sisters of Mary add to the presence of faithful religious throughout the diocese.
“The Dominicans have always been known for their commitment to veritas, ‘truth,’” he said. “They have a distinguished tradition of being great teachers in the Church, deeply committed to the Word of God, following the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
The newly arrived sisters bring that charism with them, he said.
“In addition, they bring a special devotion to the Eucharist, the great treasure of our Catholic faith,” the bishop added. “Through their joyful public witness to the Gospel and their youthful enthusiasm, they will undoubtedly stir many of our young people to consider a call to religious life and priesthood.”
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