Sister Achievements

Julie Schwab, OP, was featured in an April 18 article in National Catholic Reporter titled “Sinsinawa Dominicans spread mission through collaborative farm programs.” The Sinsinawa Mound Collaborative Farm is approximately four acres of organic land that is rented to local farmers. “We believe the life force that flows through creation, through our land, through the animals, through humanity, is sacred,” said Julie. “We feel a strong obligation to care for Earth.” The Congregation is also expanding its agricultural outreach plans for a farmer-led learning center on the property, Fields of Sinsinawa. Julie said the center will be a place for farmers to teach and learn about protecting and nurturing healthy soil, harvesting nutrient-dense food, and cultivating community. “It’s exciting because the potential is endless,” she said. “Every farm around us is a different classroom. There’s lots of learning ahead, and we can learn from all our neighbors.”

Kathleen Phelan, OP, received the Distinguished Alumnae Service Award March 8 from Trinity High School, River Forest, IL. “Like every member of the Dominicans of Sinsinawa, I live a life dedicated to service,” said Kathleen. “So, please know when you honor my name, you honor every Sinsinawa Dominican Sister.” She then paraphrased Anne Frank as she addressed the crowd in her acceptance speech, “We count on you as faith-filled Dominican women of Trinity High School to NOT wait a single moment before starting to improve our world.”

Nicole Reich, OP, who ministers as a palliative care chaplain at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison, WI, received a “BEE Award for Extraordinary Staff” in recognition of the consistent quality service offered to patients entrusted to her care—care that sets her apart from her peers. Patients and their families nominate hospital staff for the Being Exceptional Everyday (BEE) Award. Eleven family members of one of Nicole’s patients shared this: “During the last day of [his] life, the team gathered us together to help make the hardest decision ever . . . determining what quality of life [he] would most benefit. Sr. Nicole’s presence was comforting and matter of fact in supporting the family. Sr. Nicole allowed us to reminisce and be thankful to God for being in [his] life. We are forever grateful for her participation in [his] care. She alerted us to when [his] soul had left . . . we pray for a new birth to heaven. We were all blessed to have her included in this difficult time.”

Isabel Rafferty, OP, and Quincy Howard, OP, were pictured in the March 19 edition of the Telegraph Herald (Dubuque, IA) under the headline, “Protesters gather in Dubuque to call for ceasefire in Gaza.” About 50 people gathered and sang, “We grieve together, stop the occupation,” during a demonstration outside of United States Representative Ashley Hinson’s office in the city. It was organized in concert with the national movement Christians for a Free Palestine calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Christina Heltsley, OP, was mentioned in the Feb. 21 edition of the Redwood City Pulse in an article titled “Sister Christina Hetlsley steps down, Kate Young steps up as new executive director at St. Francis Center.” The article reads, “Young is left to fill large shoes as Heltsley raised the funding to build hundreds of affordable homes; transformed a neighborhood trash site into a garden; eradicated gang violence; and provided clothes, food, and showers for those in need in San Mateo County.”

Christina was also honored March 14 with a silver medal Jefferson Award for “multiplying good” in California’s bay area. Award recipients and their stories were featured on KPIX CBS News. “She has embraced people and changed lives since she took over the St. Francis Center to serve low-income families 23 years ago,” said the emcee. “She’s transformed Redwood City’s North Fair Oaks neighborhood which was run down and riddled with crime, drugs, and gangs. . . . She also started a small school.” The Jefferson Award program was cofounded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis 50 years ago to honor those who put others first. Christina is now eligible for a gold Jefferson Award at the national level.

Each year, Edgewood College, Madison, WI, recognizes an outstanding alum for accomplishments in various categories. Christina was named the 2024 recipient of the Dominican Mission Award, which recognizes her commitment to social justice and her extraordinary volunteer service in the community, country, and world. The awards event will be held in September 2024.

Priscilla Wood, OP, was featured in the Dubuque (IA) Telegraph Herald in a March 3 article titled “Never on the sidelines: Women shape area’s past, present as leaders.” As we celebrated Women’s History Month, Priscilla shared that “We’ve had some extraordinary Sisters. . . . For a time, a majority of women leaders were those who had sought religious life. In many cases, they had resources not afforded to many women [in the 19th and 20th centuries].”

Marilyn Aiello, OP, was featured on the Feb. 28 WKRG CBS Channel 5 news broadcast in Mobile, AL, during Black History Month in a story titled “The Legacy of Dr. James A. Franklin: ‘It wasn’t about color. It was about health.’” As a doctor, he was threatened by a lynch mob for touching a white woman who received health care from him at the pleading of her husband because she was dying from Spanish flu in 1916. He then fled with his family from Evergreen, AL, to Mobile and began practicing medicine there. Marilyn said, “The black community did not feel welcome in white areas, so it was very difficult, and that’s why Dr. Franklin was so essential and important. He was welcomed [in Mobile], he was highly educated and a good doctor, and he never turned anyone away.” He died in 1972, and his death left a void in the community that encouraged Marilyn to become a physician in her mid-30s. “Mrs. Finley was the daughter of Dr. Franklin, and she told me that if I ever became a doctor, that I could, and they would be happy, if I would use their clinic in memory of their father. So that deeply inspired me to apply for medical school,” she said. Marilyn founded Franklin’s Primary Health Center in Mobile, and the nonprofit continues to operate on a sliding scale based on income.