Dominican Sisters of the Northeast
Volunteer in New Orleans
Responding to the needs in many affected areas of New Orleans, twenty-six sisters from five northeast Dominican Congregations volunteered services there this summer. Dominican Sisters from Amityville, Blauvelt, Hope, and Sparkill in New York, and Caldwell, New Jersey provided services that included community outreach, clinical social work, tutoring, pastoral care and library technology. The project ran from June 26 through July 29. The Sisters volunteered different amounts of time to work in programs administered by the following organizations: New Orleans Catholic Charities/Helping Hands, Lantern Ministries of the Presentation Sisters, Saint Leo the Great School, Saint Jude’s Mental Health Clinic, and the Summer Witness Education Project. The Sisters resided at the Dominican Conference Center during their stay. Dominican Sisters of Hope who participated were Sisters Mary Feigen, Patricia Magee, Janet Marchesani, and Monica McGloin.

The idea for this Dominican collaborative project was conceived late last autumn. Sisters Catherine Howard (Blauvelt) and Patricia Magee (Hope) traveled to New Orleans in January of this year and met with Sister Suellen Tennyson MSC, the vicaress for Religious in New Orleans. Plans for ministry placements were identified in different areas of New Orleans for the summer project. Volunteers were sought, funding for the project raised and 27 Sisters participated.

Deeply moved by their experiences in New Orleans, the returning Sisters are planning to continue their efforts in each of the areas in which they were involved and to raise local and national awareness about the work that needs to be done. Plans are already in place for next year.
Seated in the front row, second from left, is Sister Monica McGloin. This group referred to themselves as "The Nuns and the Knights."
The 9th Ward. The concrete on the left is what is left of a house.
A house that has been gutted to the studs by volunteers
Wimpy's Tavern is a business run by the owners of a house being gutted by Sisters Pat and Janet.
Another gutted house ready for rebuilding
A school located on St. Charles Avenue ready for a new year
Sister Pat working at St. Leo's School getting ready for the new school year
Northeast Six Dominicans visiting the Presentation Sisters who minister at the Feeding Jesus program
Sister Mary getting lunch ready for the homeless
Sister Janet at the home of the Presentation Sisters
Sister Pat organizing crayons at St. Leo's School
As each group left New Orleans, they were given a blessing.
The last to leave New Orleans, Sisters Pat, Janet, and Mary give themselves a blessing.
BACK