For many children, summer means playing, sunshine and time with friends. But for thousands of children across Racine County in Wisconsin, summer can also mean something much harder: hunger.

When schools close in June, school breakfasts and lunches disappear too. For families already struggling to stretch tight budgets in the current economy, and with massive cuts to social programs, the loss of those meals can create impossible choices. Parents may skip meals themselves to feed their children and worry about how they will make it through the week. As in so many parts of the country, hunger is a very real issue in Racine.

The need is significant. In three different central Racine neighborhoods, 99% of children qualify for free school meals. For the Racine Dominican Sisters, these realities are impossible to ignore. Believing deeply that no child should go hungry, the Sisters are making a bold commitment to support summer meals by establishing a $50,000 matching gift challenge for donations to the 2026 Free Summer Meals Program through Benner Beats Hunger.

“We cannot look away when children are hungry,” says S. Maryann McMahon, President of the Racine Dominicans. “Access to healthy food is essential for a child’s growth, health and ability to thrive. We believe our community can come together to make sure no child goes hungry this summer so students can to return to school healthy, nourished and ready to learn.”

The Sisters’ matching challenge reflects both urgency and hope - every dollar donated will go even further to help feed children and families during the months when school meal programs pause.

The 2026 Free Summer Meals Program, coordinated by Benner Beats Hunger, is expanding dramatically after a successful pilot effort last summer. What began as one neighborhood meal site will grow to more than ten locations across Racine County this year.

“This is what community looks like,” said S. Chris Broslavick. “When we recognize a need and work together to meet it, we create hope. The Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR) Region 9 congregations challenged themselves to complete 250 works of mercy in honor of America’s 250 th birthday, and we think feeding Racine’s kids is the perfect way to do that.”

The Racine Dominican Sisters invite the community – individuals and businesses – to join them in this effort. Through the matching gift challenge, supporters have an opportunity to double their impact and help ensure children across Racine County have access to healthy meals all summer long.

In a recent address to Spanish parliament, Pope Leo XIV addressed the dignity of migrants and refugees across the world.

"The situation of migrants and refugees calls for a response that focuses on people, addresses the root causes that force them to leave, and goes beyond the mere management of migration flows,” he said.

A recent trip to the border cities of Nogales, Mexico and Nogales, Arizona gave three Dominican Sisters of Peace new perspectives on justice and truth with regards to the plight of migrants.

Srs. Gregoria Bueno-Rodriguez, Annie Killian, and Terri Schell all participated in the Catholic Sisters Walking with Migrants program, sponsored by the Kino Border Initiative.

Today, Sr. Nazia serves in Loreto, Pakistan — the very village where her vocation first
began. Surrounded once again by the people, fields, and faith community that shaped
her childhood, she sees God's hand woven through every chapter of her life.

“Trust in God in every situation,” she says quietly. “That is the biggest lesson I have
learned.”

Sr. Nazia grew up in 75/B TDA (Thal Desert Area), about an hour from Loreto Village, in
a large farming family. She lived with her parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins—nearly twenty-six children altogether. Life revolved around farming, family, and
community. As a child, Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena regularly visited her
village to pray the Rosary with families, and young Nazia eagerly waited for them.

“My childhood,” she recalled, “most of my time I spent with sisters.”

One experience from those early years would forever shape her life. When she was ten
years old, Nazia became seriously ill and was unable to eat or care for herself. For three
months, her mother and eldest sister cared for her day and night while her father took
her for medical treatment. As her condition failed to improve, her family grew
increasingly worried.

In the midst of her illness, Nazia asked her father to call the sisters. She believed that if
they prayed for her, she would be healed. A sister came to their home and prayed the
Rosary with the family. Nazia joined in prayer and made a promise to God: “God, please
give me life, and I will give my life to You.”

Soon afterward, she recovered completely.

Looking back, Sr. Nazia sees this experience as the beginning of her vocation journey.
“Since then, I have always believed that God had a special plan for me,” she said. “This
experience became a turning point in my life. God answered my prayer, called me to
serve Him, and continues to guide me and care for all my needs.”

When her village school closed, she moved to the boarding school in Loreto. Though
homesick at first, she found warmth and encouragement from the sisters, particularly
Sister Maureen O'Toole, who became an important influence in her life.

“She loved me very much,” Sr. Nazia remembered. “I used to tell her, ‘Wherever you are
going, I want to go with you.’”

Years later, when invited to join religious life, Sr. Nazia received invitations from two
Dominican congregations. In the end, she chose the Sparkill Dominicans — a decision
strongly supported by her grandfather, who had long hoped someone from the family
would join the community.

 

Her ministry has always focused on young people.

“I find joy working with youth,” she explained. “They are our future, and they are our
hope.”

Over the years, she has served as a teacher, teacher mentor, youth minister, hostel
supervisor, formator, and principal. She quietly helped struggling students with tuition,
school supplies, and encouragement, often connecting them with resources so they
could continue their education. Having once struggled with homesickness herself, she
also worked hard to create a caring environment for hostel students.

“If I saw children sad or homesick,” she explained, “I tried to make them happy because
I knew how it felt.”

Her journey also included challenges — health struggles, difficult ministries, and
moments of discouragement. Through it all, she says, the community sustained her.
“When I was discouraged,” she said, “the sisters lifted me up.”

Returning to Loreto after many years away brought unexpected joy. Former students,
classmates, and families welcomed her warmly, and many children of past students now
attend the school where she serves as principal.

“There was excitement in the village that Sr. Nazia came back,” she said with a
smile.

Today, she continues accompanying students who seek her guidance, often asking for
extra lessons and support during school breaks.

“That is hope,” she said. “They know they can ask for help.”

Whether teaching, listening, mentoring, or preparing meals for guests, Sr. Nazia
continues to preach through kindness, compassion, and faithful presence.

From a little girl praying for healing in a farming village to a principal and mentor guiding
a new generation, Sr. Nazia's life remains rooted in one enduring truth: trust in God.

When Ann Hagopian first walked onto the grounds of the Dominican Sisters in Sparkill,
she was not looking to become an Associate. She was searching for home.

Born into an Armenian family in Damascus, Syria, Ann’s story is one shaped by
resilience, migration, faith, and the quiet strength of community. Her family carried deep
memories of loss and survival. Her father, orphaned as an infant after the Armenian
genocide, was raised in Lebanon by sisters who cared for orphaned children. “That’s
why I always felt connected to sisters,” Ann reflected softly. “From the beginning.”

Ann grew up in Syria, speaking Armenian, Arabic, English, and French. She described
her childhood as happy and stable, surrounded by family and supported by her father’s
shoe business. But as unrest slowly grew in the region, families began encouraging
their children to build lives elsewhere.

After marrying at age 24, Ann came to the United States with her husband, carrying
both hope and uncertainty. “Leaving my family was very hard,” she shared. “I missed
them very much.”

Soon after arriving in New York, Ann answered a newspaper advertisement for a
position at Salesian Missions in New Rochelle. The word “Salesian” immediately caught
her attention. “I went to Salesian High School,” she recalled. “It felt like God was
showing me something familiar when everything else was new.”

What began as a small clerical job became a long career of growth and leadership.
Though shy and uncertain about her English, Ann steadily took on greater
responsibilities, eventually helping reshape a child sponsorship program so that support
could better reach entire schools and communities.

Life also brought deep sorrow. While raising her two sons, Ann lost her husband to brain
cancer. Yet even in grief, she continued moving forward with courage. “What is worse
than losing a husband?” she remembered thinking when asked to step into a difficult
leadership role at work. “I could do the job.”

Years later, after her sons settled in Rockland County, Ann often drove past the
Dominican Sisters’ campus in Sparkill and found herself drawn to it. “One day,” she
remembered thinking, “I will live here.”

At the time, she knew little about the Dominican Sisters. But one afternoon, after
noticing a sign for “Women Making a Difference,” she decided to walk inside and ask
about it. As she climbed the stairs, she encountered Associate Mary Ryan heading out
the door.

“Can I help you?” Mary asked warmly.

Ann pointed to the sign and asked, “What does that mean?”

 

When Ann explained that she wanted to help if there was something she could do, Mary
responded, “Come and see.”

Those three words changed everything.

Mary welcomed Ann into conversation and introduced her to Sister Eileen Loftus. Ann
soon began volunteering with the sisters, helping wherever she was needed. She
remembers the warmth and openness she encountered from the very beginning. “You
guys opened your hands and received me,” she said gratefully.

In 2017, Ann became a Sparkill Dominican Associate and eventually moved into Thorpe
Village, something she had quietly hoped for years earlier.

For Ann, the Associate relationship is less about programs or titles and more about
belonging.

“You lose your family,” she said, “and then you find a new family.”

She speaks often of the peace she experiences among the sisters — in their prayer,
their kindness, and their simple daily presence. “As much more than I’m giving,” she
said, “I’m receiving.”

Hope, for Ann, is found in prayer and community. It is found in being welcomed. It is
found in small acts of care, shared meals, flowers arranged together, answering phones
at reception, or simply walking across campus and seeing familiar smiles.

“What gives you strength during difficult days?” she was asked during her interview.

“Prayer,” she answered immediately.

Today, Ann remains deeply involved in the life of the community while also caring for her
family, including her beloved grandson. Whether helping with flowers, volunteering at
reception, or joining community prayer, she continues to live what she values most: to
pray, to help, and to receive.

When asked what she would say to someone considering becoming an Associate, Ann
smiled gently.

“Try it,” she said. “You’ll like it.” 

For all events at the Siena Retreat Center, you may register by going to the website www.sienaretreatcenter.org, calling the registar at 262-898-2582 with a credit card number, or by mailing a check made out to “Siena Retreat Center.” The address is 5637 Erie St., Racine, WI 53402. Payment must be received to complete registration.

Silent Directed Retreat
Sunday, July 12 – Saturday, July 18
Cost: $890 (includes accommodations, meals, and spiritual guidance appointments)
Facilitators: Kathie Tilot; Lorrita Verhey, SSND; Nancy Sell, OSF; Nancy Raboin, PHJC; Ruth Hoenick

This contemplative retreat offers participants the opportunity to meet daily one-on-one with a spiritual guide and share Eucharistic Liturgy and Evening Prayer with the retreat group. Solitude, nature, and silence enhance these sacred days. Participants are invited to journal, read, walk the beautiful Siena grounds and labyrinth, create with art supplies, and be refreshed and renewed.
https://www.sienaretreatcenter.org/retreats/silent-directed/

Contemplative Retreat for Women
Sunday, July 19 – Saturday, July 25
Cost: $890 (includes accommodations, meals, and spiritual guidance appointments)
Facilitators: Barb Cathey, Deborah DeManno, Jomarie Zielke, CSA, Patti Essig, Susan Seeby
This silent retreat for women will call together wisdom from many of the world’s spiritual resources to renew, enrich, and inspire us to be an awakened people in a world that needs our love and action. You are invited to a week of inner discovery and replenishment through morning reflection, evening rituals, one-on-one spiritual guidance, embodied prayer, gentle yoga, centering prayer, and abundant time for silent reflection and exploration of Siena’s beauty and resources. https://www.sienaretreatcenter.org/retreats/contemplative-retreat/

Join us and deepen your relationship with God, self, and others.

Learn more about us here.

 

Are you ready this summer for a week of quiet time to explore the spiritual questions of your heart? Weber Retreat and Conference Center offers a directed retreat that just might meet your needs. You will have the time and space to walk our labyrinth and outdoor garden, pray and reflect, attend campus liturgies, and meet daily with a spiritual director of your choice. The Private Directed Retreat is offered from 2:00 PM Monday, July 6, 2026, through 1:00 PM Friday, July 10, 2026. Learn more.

Ecospirituality: The Heart of the Matter
In-Person • Saturday, June 27 • 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Come deepen your understanding of ecospirituality and cultivate transformation within you, the ecosystem of your life, and the greater biosphere of life together. To respond to the needs of our desperate world, we must look within our own hearts. We must embrace once again the truths we as humans and as people of faith and goodwill have long known: We are all one. Acknowledging this calls us to a transformation of heart, a transformation of consciousness that compels us to committed action on behalf of the Earth community. In this gathering we will learn from Sharon Zayac, OP and each other through presentations, small groups and large group reflection and interaction in order to deepen the conversion of our hearts toward transformative action within our neighborhood–our eco-system–of people, land, plant, animal, and spirit. Details & Registration: https://www.grdominicans.org/program-retreat/ecospirituality-zayac/