Alive in Joy and Hope

2023 marks the 170th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. To help celebrate this milestone, the Congregation has installed a special, permanent exhibit on the first-floor hallways of the Motherhouse entitled Alive in Joy and Hope: Where Past Meets Present and Becomes Now.

This experience will help visitors understand the charism and mission of the Sisters. There are many stories highlighted including the founding of Congregational schools, hospitals, orphanages, and many ministries. The Sisters also founded Molloy University in Rockville Centre in 1955 – originally a Catholic College for women.

After five years of hard work, the hallways are now adorned with thematic photos, poetry, reflective questions, and special banners, that connect visitors to our Dominican story.

“Our hope is that all who participate in this experience will come to know us and our mission,” said Dominican Sister Patricia Hanvey, a member of the committee who oversaw the project also including Sister Patricia Koehler and Sister Mary Pat Neylon. “We are reaching out to people to help them understand the impact of God in our lives as well as the enfleshing of our mission over the years.”

The experience officially opened with ribbon cuttings and blessings, which welcomed sisters, associates, Dominican youth, members of the larger Dominican family, graduates, collaborators, volunteers, other Religious communities, religious and political leaders, as well as family and friends to the Motherhouse.

"I am amazed, and I am proud to be part of this congregation, to see all that has been, and to hope for the best in the future," said Sister Antoinette DeAverio.