By Sister June Fitzgerald, OP

I stood next to the shallow bowl of water as each retreatant placed their paper flower on the water.  As the paper touched and then absorbed the water, the petals that had been carefully folded into the center, began to open up.  Slowly at first and then more quickly…

“Wow!”

“Look at that!” 

Exclaimed Sally, one of the retreatants who had just placed her pink paper flower on the water. 

We all watched as the flowers unfolded, revealing the names of loved ones and friends who had been written on each petal.  In the center of the flower each had written, “Jesus.” 

Our hearts were full, and our eyes spilled over as we watched the unfolding – not just the unfolding of the flowers, but the unfolding of the lives around us in the circle.  These precious children of God, who were gathered for this special retreat for persons with disabilities, or “people of determination,” a term used in the United Arab Emirates.  (A term I would like all of us to adopt.) 

Twelve retreatants, their caregivers, and a variety of helpers, including several Dominican Sisters of Peace, were together for this weekend, held annually at the Dominican Retreat and Conference Center in Niskayuna, New York. The sisters, staff, and volunteers have offered this retreat for the past 65 years.  Donations of money, supplies, and time make the retreat free for all of those who wish to participate.  Many of the retreatants need lots of help while others are self-sufficient.  For this weekend, each is just a regular retreatant and not whatever label others put on them.

Just as we are seen in God’s family, we are first and foremost, “Children of God,” beloved and precious in God’s sight. During this weekend that is what all of us were – living into the fullness of that name. 
Sr. Lizette Hoevel, SND led us in reflecting on and praying with the theme, “Jesus, my Friend.”  We shared who our friends were, what a friend is, and how we are friends of God.  Through it all, people shared their stories – of triumph, loss, accidents, and faith in God. 

In the sharing, their lives unfolded before our eyes.  People who would never have gathered in the same place were together laughing, praying, worshiping, crying, and living.  As I looked around, I realized that this is where God wanted me to be in this very moment. I knew it to the core of my being. I know that if I had not answered the call of God to become a Dominican Sister, I probably would not be here at this moment. Yet here I was companioning a woman who could not get in or out of bed on her own.  A woman who knew every Bible verse and story we talked about during the retreat and who went horseback riding at the special stable for exceptional people like herself.  Our lives were connected for this brief time – such as it is with friends of Jesus, isn’t it?   Our common friend, Jesus, brought us together to be friends with each other. 

Wow! 

Look at that! 

Who are you called to be friends with?  Is Jesus calling you closer to himself, perhaps as a Dominican Sister of Peace?  Even if you’re not sure, but think, “maybe” – then, reach out and contact us.  Better yet, you may want to attend one or both of these upcoming events to learn more about us and explore what it means to be a religious sister:

• In House Retreat for Persons with Physical Disabilities, June 6, 2025 at our Dominican Retreat and Conference Center in Niskayuna, New York.

•  Come & See Discernment Retreat, September 12-14, 2025 in Columbus, Ohio. 

Who knows, you may just meet another friend of Jesus on the way.