Recent News from the Sisters of Saint Dominic

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York shares the administrative, pastoral and planning responsibilities of the entire congregation. 



Meet our Leadership Team.

Sister Michaela Connolly, O.P., Prioress, served since 2011 on the previous leadership team as Vice President. Prior to that, she ministered in the Archdiocese of NY at Dominican Sisters Family Health Service (now Arch Care at Home), St. Raymond Academy for Girls (Bronx, NY), St. Margaret’s Parish (Pearl River, NY), Dominican College of Blauvelt, St. Luke School, and Holy Spirit School (Bronx, NY). Sister Michaela served as a Councilor on a previous leadership team and as Vocation Director for the Congregation. She is a member of the Rockland Regional Catholic Schools Board, Dominican College Board of Trustees, and the Board of Lavelle School for the Blind.

Sister Mary Ann Collins, O.P., Councilor, was previously a Chaplain at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility (Bedford, NY); she currently serves on the Board of Dominican College and as Vice President of the Board of Lavelle School for the Blind. Sister Mary Ann was President of the Congregation from 1999-2005. She has ministered at Encore Community Services, NYC, United Hospice of Rockland, and the Highbridge Community Life Center (Bronx, NY). She taught at St. Pius High School (Bronx, NY) and at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy (Goshen, NY). Sister Mary Ann previously served as a Councilor, Vocation Director, and Formation Director for the Congregation, and also taught in schools served by the Congregation in Florida and Rhode Island.

Sister Mary Theresa Flood, O.P., Councilor, is a Physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at New York- Presbyterian University Hospital of Columbia and Cornell. Sister Mary has a background in basic science research and for the past twenty-five years has practiced as an internist and infectious disease specialist in New York. She is Chair of the Board of St. Dominic’s Home (Blauvelt, NY) and a member of the Board of Trustees of Dominican College and the Lavelle Fund. Prior to beginning her ministry in health care, Sister Mary taught at St. Dominic School (Blauvelt, NY), St. Margaret School (Pearl River, NY), and at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Academy (Goshen, NY).

Sister Ellenrita Purcaro, O.P., Councilor, previously served as the Director of the Empowerment Center at Harmony Farm in Goshen, NY. She served for 23 years at Highbridge Community Life Center (Bronx, NY) as Executive Director, Director of Human Resources and Volunteers, and Director of Program Operations. Prior to that, Sister Ellenrita was Formation Director for the Congregation. She also served as Director of Personnel and Purchasing at Dominican College. At St. Dominic’s Home (Blauvelt, NY), she was the residential supervisor of an adolescent group home, Coordinator of Adolescent Residences, Coordinator of the Indo-Chinese refugee program, and Director of Intermediate Care Facility Residences. She also taught at St. Columba School (Hopewell Junction, NY). Sister Ellenrita serves on the Boards of the Friends of St. Dominic, the Hope for the Children Foundation, the Highbridge Community Development Corporation, and the Leviticus Fund.

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