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December 12, 2016, Boca Raton, Florida – Sister Carmen Álvarez, OP, received the Golden Rule Award from the Catholic Realtors of Boca Raton, Florida, in recognition of exemplifying and living out Jesus’ rule to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
The award ceremony was December 2 at the Royal Palm Country Club during a breakfast after the first Friday Mass. The Realtors gather for Mass on the first Friday of every month, and bestow the Golden Rule Award annually, usually in December.
“I was full of joy and surprise,” Sister Carmen said. “I did not know anything about this until I was presented with the honor. I became aware that I partner with the Catholic Realtors of Boca Raton in bringing the love of God to others.”
Sister Carmen was recognized for a life of service, beginning in her childhood years in the province of Havana, Cuba. She first worked with other children, and then, as she matured, felt called to minister to adults, said Sister Frances Madigan, OP, who gave a presentation on her life during the award ceremony.
Sister Fran noted priests in Cuba were asked to minister to three or four parishes and communities were “fortunate to see a priest maybe once a week.” Sister Carmen became active in keeping her church open every day for prayer, meetings, and social events. She continued this work even after churches were threatened and closed under the rule of the late Fidel Castro.
After Sister Carmen was arrested and spent two weeks in jail with 300 other women, her family sent her to the United States for protection. While serving at an immigration center in Miami helping families find sponsors among their families and friends, Sister Carmen met the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de’ Ricci and became a member of the congregation. She transferred to the Adrian Dominican Sisters in December 2012.
Sister Carmen spent some time ministering in the north before she was again called to serve the refugees in Miami. She later ministered at St. Hugh and St. Helen Parishes, training parishioners to be catechists.
Sister Carmen’s last years of active ministry before retirement were spent at St. Joan of Arc Parish in Boca Raton, directing the parish’s Hispanic Ministry. The invitation by Monsignor John McMahon to serve at St. Joan of Arc has been among her favorite memories. “The people began to feel at home sharing their customs with others and being part of another culture,” she said.
Still active in her retirement, Sister Carmen serves St. Joan of Arc as co-director of the parish literacy center and, through her work with the Santa Ann Circle of the Council of Catholic Women, made up of more than 100 women who serve the parish through time, talent, and treasure. She also coordinates donations given to repair a leaky roof in her home parish in Cuba.
Sister Fran said that Sister Carmen offers “the gift of joy, the ability to forgive and forget, and to be a peacemaker in a world where this is much needed. She is a gift to this parish, the Adrian Dominicans and to all with whom she comes in contact.”
Feature photo: From left, Monsignor Michael McGraw, pastor of St. Joan of Arc Parish, Boca Raton; Sister Carmen Álvarez, OP; and Bishop Gerald Barbarito, of the Diocese of Palm Beach attended a ceremony in which Sister Carmen received the Golden Rule Award.
April 26, 2016 – Seven women in two separate ceremonies on two separate days became Associates of the Adrian Dominican Sisters over the weekend of April 23-24.
Associates are women and men, at least 18 years of age, who are married, single, widowed or divorced and who resonate with the mission and ministry of the Adrian Dominican Sisters. While maintaining their own lifestyle and remaining financially independent, Associates participate in various social, spiritual, and ministerial experiences with Adrian Dominican Sisters and attend Congregational events.
The first Associate Ritual of Acceptance took place on April 23 in Boca Raton, Florida, where all three women reside. All were mentored by Sisters Carmen Álvarez and Frances Madigan – will make their Commitment to Associate Life.
Bonnie Aymat, originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico, studied engineering at Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. She and her husband, Luis, a mechanical engineer, run a company that sells and installs pollution control equipment and water systems.
Diana Castro, a native of Bogota, Columbia, is an interior designer and architect by trade. Her ministry in her parish, St. Joan of Arc, includes working with migrant workers and with elders suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Neisy Nuñez, originally of Cuba, studied architectural design in Florida and is also active in St. Joan of Arc Parish. She works with Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and helps in the diocesan religious reward program for Scouts.
Four women became Associates on April 24 in St. Catherine Chapel at the Motherhouse of the Adrian Dominican Sisters.
Sharon Bock, of Palm Springs, California, first met the Adrian Dominican Sisters at Rosarian Academy, West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1957 and entered the Congregation in 1961, withdrawing in 1976. Her professional work has included process facilitation, design of adult instruction, and management of trade show conventions. She was mentored by Sister Sharon McGuire.
Helene Knierim, of Tecumseh, Michigan, was born in Germany but moved to Australia at the age of two. Mentored by Sister Molly Nicholson, Helene operates a dance studio in Tecumseh; her gift for liturgical dance was evidenced during the Easter Vigil in Holy Rosary Chapel this year.
Peggy Ann Wilds, of Brooklyn, Michigan, is a retired teacher and a member of the Episcopalian Church. She met the Congregation while taking classes at Siena Heights and remained connected through retreats and spiritual direction at Weber Center. She was mentored by Sister Barbara Quincey.
Melinda Ziegler, of Litchfield, Michigan, has served the Congregation for more than six years as a graphic designer for the Communications Office. She completed the religious studies program at Siena Heights University and became a lay ecclesial leader. The late Sister Barbara Chenicek was her mentor.
The Ritual of Acceptance includes the introduction of each Associate and the opportunity for the Associate to explain why he or she chose this spiritual pathway. Associates then sign the Agreement of Association, noting their willingness to enter into a formal relationship with the Adrian Dominican Sisters through a non-vowed commitment to the mission and vision. The new Associates also receive a special Associate logo, similar to the logo worn by Adrian Dominican Sisters.
If you are interested in Associate Life, please contact Associate Mary Lach, director, at 517-266-3531 or [email protected].
Feature photo: Sister Frances Madigan, OP, left, one of the two mentors, watches as the new Associates sign their Agreement of Association, from left: Neisy Nuñez, Bonnie Aymat, and Diana Castro. Not shown is Sister Carmen Álvarez, OP, mentor. Photo by Associate Peggy Rowe-Linn