Dominican Sisters of San Rafael

Since Mother Mary Goemaere founded our School in 1850, the Dominican Sisters have been an integral part of our program. Many alumni recall their relationships with Sisters as some of the highlights of their Dominican education. Special annual occasions such as Reunion Weekend and Tableaux are always highly anticipated events that reconnect alumni with Dominican Sisters of San Rafael.

Current San Domenico students are inspired and informed by the Sisters’ wise counsel in the classrooms, in the dorms, through prayer services, through preparation for sacraments, and through many additional programs that extend the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and San Domenico School’s joint work and fellowship into the broader community. For example, the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael and SD students regularly serve individuals who are homeless at Homeward Bound. San Domenico Kindergarten students are paired with retired Dominican Sisters for a buddy system of love and multi-generational learning; the students visits to their retirement home, Lourdes, are often highlights of the year for students, parents, and Sisters. Sisters often engage with groups of students for special projects such as a recent second grade shoe fundraiser and sock drive organized by Sister Carla for Sister Christine’s school, St. Matia, in Uganda. The Sisters and the School both also work in support of the Earth Charter and myriad other social, health, and environmental justice issues.

In addition to living on campus, working in the classrooms, and joining forces for service projects, members of the Dominican Sisters of San Rafael also sit on the San Domenico School Board of Trustees and work with the leadership and teachers in support of the School’s religious studies program. Sr. M. Gervaise Valpey, O.P. is President Emerita.

Learn more about the trailblazing Dominican Sisters of San Rafael at www.sanrafaelop.org and be sure to sign up for information on their highly inspiring Gather At Grand events, www.sanrafaelop.org/events/gather-at-grand.

Dominican Sisters News