Sr. Mary Doris honored at DC Graduation
By Srs. of St. Dominic | Published: MAY 19, 2015
This article originally appeared in the Sisters of Saint Dominic website
“As women of service, we are called to respond to the needs of the poor, particularly in our day, the homeless.”
—Belief Statement of Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt
In 1878, Sr. Mary Ann Sammon, an Irish immigrant who joined the Dominican Sisters in New York City, came to Blauveltville seeking a place for homeless and neglected children. A woman formed by contemplation and committed to action, she provided a loving home and education for the children and in the process started a new religious community, independently incorporated in 1890, as the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt.
In 1957, Sr. Mary Doris joined these Sisters, attracted by their joyful spirit and outreach to the poor. A dedicated teacher, she pursued a Master’s in Mathematics and in Pastoral Ministry. Students in New York and Florida benefitted from her keen mind and dry wit as she exposed them to the principles of mathematics and encouraged them to share their best with others.
In the early 1980’s, she began teaching adult education at Highbridge Community Life Center in the evenings, after a day in the classroom. Through this experience, she encountered many pregnant women, some with young children, who had need not only for education, but also for safe housing and support services. Sr. Mary Doris’ response was simple, “Women who chose to keep their babies need a place to live.” Hence, Siena House came to be. An empty convent was converted into a home for close to thirty women and their babies. The chapel became a nursery. Fittingly, the shelter was named in honor of the Dominican saint of the 14th Century, Catherine of Siena, who had assisted homeless women in her time and encouraged them with the words, “If you are what you are meant to be, you will set the world on fire.” Also fittingly, quite a few babies born to women at Siena House have been named “Siena.”
Over the years, Sr. Mary Doris has been joined by many of the Sisters of her congregation, among them, Sr. Cecilia Byrnes, Sr. Lauria Fitzgerald, Sr. Patricia Ginty, Sr. Rose Ellen Gorman, Sr. Ann Connolly, Sr. Gilmary Walsh, Sr. Maureen Gibbons, Sr. Catherine Howard, and Sr. Margaret McDermott. Together with a dedicated, lay staff, they work to move young mothers from a situation of homelessness and poverty to independence and self-worth. Many of these residents have gone on to become nurses and social workers, contributing to the vibrancy of their own communities.
Sr. Mary Doris and her companions have been the inspiration behind Siena House for these past 25 years. The fruits of their labors are well known and appreciated by the thousands of women who have benefitted from Siena House’s welcoming environment and innovative, enabling programming.
For their compassionate vision, servant leadership and generous service, Dominican College is honored to confer upon Sr. Mary Doris, foundress and current director, and the staff of Siena House, the 2015 Veritas Medal.
To read the original posting please click HERE
—Belief Statement of Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt
In 1878, Sr. Mary Ann Sammon, an Irish immigrant who joined the Dominican Sisters in New York City, came to Blauveltville seeking a place for homeless and neglected children. A woman formed by contemplation and committed to action, she provided a loving home and education for the children and in the process started a new religious community, independently incorporated in 1890, as the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt.
In 1957, Sr. Mary Doris joined these Sisters, attracted by their joyful spirit and outreach to the poor. A dedicated teacher, she pursued a Master’s in Mathematics and in Pastoral Ministry. Students in New York and Florida benefitted from her keen mind and dry wit as she exposed them to the principles of mathematics and encouraged them to share their best with others.
In the early 1980’s, she began teaching adult education at Highbridge Community Life Center in the evenings, after a day in the classroom. Through this experience, she encountered many pregnant women, some with young children, who had need not only for education, but also for safe housing and support services. Sr. Mary Doris’ response was simple, “Women who chose to keep their babies need a place to live.” Hence, Siena House came to be. An empty convent was converted into a home for close to thirty women and their babies. The chapel became a nursery. Fittingly, the shelter was named in honor of the Dominican saint of the 14th Century, Catherine of Siena, who had assisted homeless women in her time and encouraged them with the words, “If you are what you are meant to be, you will set the world on fire.” Also fittingly, quite a few babies born to women at Siena House have been named “Siena.”
Over the years, Sr. Mary Doris has been joined by many of the Sisters of her congregation, among them, Sr. Cecilia Byrnes, Sr. Lauria Fitzgerald, Sr. Patricia Ginty, Sr. Rose Ellen Gorman, Sr. Ann Connolly, Sr. Gilmary Walsh, Sr. Maureen Gibbons, Sr. Catherine Howard, and Sr. Margaret McDermott. Together with a dedicated, lay staff, they work to move young mothers from a situation of homelessness and poverty to independence and self-worth. Many of these residents have gone on to become nurses and social workers, contributing to the vibrancy of their own communities.
Sr. Mary Doris and her companions have been the inspiration behind Siena House for these past 25 years. The fruits of their labors are well known and appreciated by the thousands of women who have benefitted from Siena House’s welcoming environment and innovative, enabling programming.
For their compassionate vision, servant leadership and generous service, Dominican College is honored to confer upon Sr. Mary Doris, foundress and current director, and the staff of Siena House, the 2015 Veritas Medal.
To read the original posting please click HERE
