Welcoming Sister Laura Arvin, OP to the Leadership Council
Sister Laura Arvin is the newest member of the Leadership Council. After years of serving other institutions, she says she is excited to serve on the Amityville Dominican Sisters Leadership Council.
“It’s a privilege to minister for and with my own community,” she said. “There are wonderful women on the Council, so I look to their experience and love of our Congregation as a guide and look forward to us learning from each other.”
Previously, Sister Laura served for more than 16 years at St. John’s University in Queens, and most recently, 12 years of ministry at Mount Saint Mary House of Prayer in New Jersey as the Co-director and then Director of the retreat house there.
“I think the experiences I’ve had in the leadership positions there have given me skills and tools I can use in this ministry. The most important gift is that of listening to another person.”
Sister Laura is just moving into her new office. Amidst books on St. Catherine of Siena and M&M paraphernalia, there are numerous framed items leaning against the wall, waiting to be hung up.
One is a photo of a large rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, aglow in the colors of a new day.
Sister Laura wrote a poem while on retreat in this special area of Gloucester, Massachusetts. She wrote:
“Love freely. Be generous.
Hold all in kindness — above all yourself.
Do not shy away from this oneness.
The gifts are yet to be revealed.
Keep vigil at this threshold of grace
and Love will be set free.”
These words helped lead her to say yes to this opportunity to join the council. “I trust God has a plan for me and our congregation,” she said. “I wish I knew the specifics of that plan, but I am confident I am in the right place and am very eager to learn and grow.”
Welcome, Sister Laura!