For a century and a half, the sisters of Saint Dominic have helped the poor, educated the young and tended to the needs of the elderly. Now the Order, which has operated out of its Motherhouse in Amityville, is celebrating a century and a half of dedicated service.

"The jubilee is very exciting and there are many things we have prepared in Amityville to celebrate this wonderful occasion," said Sister Jean Clark, director of Sophia Garden and the Learning Center.

The Dominican Order of the sisters was founded in 1233 in Germany and expanded to America in 1853. Originally based in Brooklyn, the order expanded and today has 11 congregations, including the one in Amityville. The sisters also have missions Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. The congregation includes more than 600 sisters, 240 of whom are now retired and living in Amityville.

The tradition of the sisters was initially to celebrate and participate in all facets of education. The sisters currently teach in 35 Diocesan elementary schools throughout the New York-Metropolitan area, including Most Holy Trinity School, Brooklyn; St. Agnes High School, College Point; Opening Word in Amityville and Wyandanch, which provides adult education for low-income women, and Sophia Garden and Learning Center, Amityville, which provides ecological studies.

In top photo, Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel OP gives the keynote address at the Jubilee celebration held June 22. Above, gift baskets are displayed by the sisters. The baskets were part of the auction held that day.

The sisters also work in more than 20 parishes in New York, providing religious education, helping with historical preservation, communications, finance and administration. They once maintained a high school in Amityville, which is now closed.

While most people think of teacher when they hear Dominican sisters, the role of these women has grown and expanded over the years and the Jubilee provides a point to celebrate their past and look to the future.

"Since we have educated much of the population in the New York State area over the past 150 years, many people think of us as educators only," said Prioress of the Amityville Sister of St. Dominic, Sister Virginia Maguire. "We actually have a very progressive membership that includes a wide variety of ministries."

The sisters serve as lawyers, paralegals, social workers and advocates. They help in Bethany House in Roosevelt, a housing facility for homeless women and their children, and with Benincasa Family Services in Amityville, Brooklyn, and Jamaica, New York, providing programs, information and support for families in the community. They also work at the Dominican Village retirement community in Amityville, and Harvest House living facility in Syosset.

To celebrate their lives as active women of God and the community, the sisters held a "Beauty of the Spirit" Luncheon, at Queen of Rosary Motherhouse in Amityville recently. The event recognized the strength and spirit of women, the Jubilee and the completion of the recent renovations to the Motherhouse, where retired sisters reside. Guest speaker at the luncheon was Sister Jeanne Andre Brendel, O.P., and Executive director of Harvest House in Syosset.

The goal for the 150th jubilee is to raise $5 million, which will go towards the pastoral care of the retired sisters, the sisters in ministries and the order.

Sister Nolan said a Gala is planned at the Garden City Hotel on October 29, where about 500 people are expected. The gala is a major fundraiser and will recognize two women, Salah Hassanein and Dorothy Ammon, who have been instrumental in life-saving heart surgery.

"These two women work through the hospital systems and with the doctors to get things started," Nolan said. "They have been dedicated and have helped save many lives through their caring and persistence."

Clark is one of the many sisters active in helping to raise environmental awareness. At Sophia Garden, she teaches children about planting seeds and composting. She also helps them understand that the human and natural worlds are connected.

Families also farm organically grow vegetables at the garden to provide food for garden members and the needy. The Dominican Sisters have lived on this land since 1975 and farmed it for much of that time.

"As part of our celebration, we are planning to give back with a collection for a tribe in the Hamptons that is trouble now with housing. I myself have attended many of the programs and fundraisers and we are doing well. We have had many events here and many visitors."