About Us:
Our Ministries

Ministry is at the heart of our vocation as Dominican Sisters. The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York were established in 1878 to care for orphaned children. Today, professed Sisters and associates minister throughout New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Florida, California and Oregon. We are actively involved in education at all levels including colleges, secondary and elementary schools, and special education programs for the multi-handicapped. Our ministries include social service programs for the developmentally disabled, services for children in foster care (including adoption services), programs for migrant children, shelters for homeless adults and children, housing services for persons with HIV/AIDS, programs for the mentally ill and chemically addicted, and health care services for the poor. We also minister in community outreach programs that provide advocacy, ESL, literacy, and job training. We are active in social justice activities, catechetical programs; retreat work, pastoral work in parishes, prisons and hospitals, and prayer ministry.

Over the years, our Sisters have generously and graciously responded to the needs of the Church in a changing world. Here are a few of the Sisters who are continuing the mission of the Blauvelt congregation today...


Sister Arlene Flaherty, O.P.
Justice and Peace Partnerships Liaison, Catholic Relief Services, Northeast Region

Sr. Arlene is originally from the Bronx. She attended Dominican College in Blauvelt as an education major. Shortly after, she entered the community. She has a Doctor of Ministry from N.Y. Theological. Her passion is peace and justice and she has served as director of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center. Now, she is working for Catholic Relief Services as the Justice and Peace Promoter for the Northeastern part of the United States. As part of this ministry, Sr. Arlene travels to different colleges that partner with Catholic Relief Services. Her work is to connect the students and faculty to needs and issues worldwide.




Sister Pat Ginty, OP (Ann Seamus)
Nurse, Convent of Mary the Queen, Yonkers, NY

Sr. Patricia "Pat" is both a social worker and nurse. She worked in Jamaica, West Indies for many years as a nurse at St. Joseph Hospital. Then, she went to Tanzania for four years to serve with the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic. Upon returning stateside, she has served in shelters and transitional housing for unwed mothers, single women and HIV/AIDS patients. Now, Sr. Pat has returned to her nursing roots as a Nurse for the Convent of Mary the Queen, the nursing home for the Sisters of Charity of New York. She has had quite a variety of experiences over her 50 years in religious life! .




Sister Alice Kirk, O.P. (Mary Jonathan)
Director of Staff Development in Technology, Archdiocese of New York, NY

Sr. Alice had Dominican Sisters of Blauvelt in both elementary and high school, so it is no surprise that she followed in their footsteps both as an educator and woman religious. Although she says of her own vocation, "It wasn't something that I thought of all my life or even during most of my high school days. I was too busy with dances, parties, and movies. Probably, it all began somewhere at the beginning of my senior year and was ignited by a tiny spark put into my head by one of my high school teachers at St. Pius, Sr. Jean Miriam, known today as Sr. Jean Beagan. She simply said to me, 'Did you ever think of entering the convent?' My response was, 'Me? No!' It was funny, but from that day on, I did give it a great deal of thought." Since then, Sr. Alice has been both teacher and principal of elementary schools, taught at Dominican College and now teaches Catholic school teachers. With an office at "1011" (the Archdiocese of New York headquarters), Sr. Alice travels to Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese to assist principals and teachers with the ever-changing world of technology.




Sister Dorothy Maxwell, O.P. (Anna William)
Volunteer, Dominican Sisters of Montebello, South Africa

Sr. Dorothy "Dottie" Maxwell just completed a six-year term as part of the Leadership Team. In September, with an adventurous spirit and courageous heart, she packed her few belongings for a year of serving in Montebello, South Africa. Having a background in nursing, as well as teaching, Sr. Dorothy expected to be working in the Chronic Sick Home in Montebello. However, she, along with the Dominican Sisters of Montebello, realized she could best use her gifts in other areas. She began a program in environmental education for high school girls and has also been counseling some of the young women. She assists with formation and, particularly with tutoring the young sisters in formation in their English skills. She also teaches reading to the children at Vianney Home. Growing up in upstate New York has assisted her in the transition to living in a rural area and Dottie has loved the opportunities to explore the South African countryside. She was able to visit Cape Town and Table Mountain during the summer Christmas break. Having worked with the South African sisters who studied and lived in Blauvelt, Sr. Dorothy is grateful to be able to work with them in their homeland.




Sister Maureen Murphy, O.P.
Motherhouse Coordinator, Blauvelt, NY

Sr. Maureen has recently taken on the ministry of coordinating the Motherhouse. Prior to that, she was serving as the Archivist for the Congregation. Organization, knowing the story of the community, and relating to a variety of people has been key in both of these positions. In her "free" time, Sr. Maureen directs retreats locally and internationally. As Sr. Maureen says, "I try to live my life in faithfulness to the mystery of the journey… wherever that may lead me."




Sister Eileen Tierney, O.P. (M. Justin)
Librarian, St. Dominic's Home, Blauvelt, NY

Originally from the Bronx, Sr. Eileen is a life-long educator. Sr. Eileen has been serving the students at St. Dominic's School since the mid-1970's. She has been the A.V. Coordinator, Library Assistant, Teacher and now, Librarian. St. Dominic's School is designed to meet the needs of students who are emotionally disturbed, multiply-disabled, or have severe health impairments. The students come from as far as New York City, Orange County and Westchester County, as well as the local Rockland County area. Sr. Eileen understands that the students she works with require creative approaches to learning. Many come to the library to use the computers. Some love reading, while others enjoy books that give instructions for hands-on craft projects. Some students practice their reading skills by reading to a dog, part of the pet-therapy program at St. Dominic's School. Sr. Eileen says that this takes the pressure away from the students, who may get nervous reading in front of others.