Sister Christine Connolly marks golden jubilee

Vatican II changed the face of Catholicism for everyone — lay people and consecrated religious. What was it like to enter religious life on the heels of such a sea change? Sister Christine Connolly, a Dominican Sister of Peace in Niska­yuna celebrating her 50th year of religious life in 2019, says that the changes brought both excitement and sadness.

“A new paradigm of religious life was beginning to take place, which required us to live with a sense of flexibility and a willingness to be open,” she says. “One surprise has been the blessing of helping to lay the foundation for something new and vibrant to be birthed.”

Sister Christine began her religious life in both religious formation and formal study. She studied in the Novitiate in Kentucky for two years, then attended Cardinal Cushing College in Brookline, Mass. She earned her bachelor’s degree in history and elementary education in 1972. Her first ministry was in education, teaching at St. Francis de Sales and East Boston Central Catholic in Boston. 

In 1980, she moved to St. Catharine, Ky., to serve as the administrative assistant to the president of the Dominican Sisters there. True to the Dominican charism of study, Sister Christine earned a master’s degree in pastoral ministry from Boston College in 1989. She then took her skills in administration and organization and worked with the Hospice of Louisville and Catholic Charities.

A move to Chicago to study at the Catholic Theological Center led to Sister Christine’s next ministry. She served as co-promoter of Vocations and spiritual director at the Claret Center in Chicago for six years, before beginning becoming Residence Hall rector at the University of Notre Dame.

After a brief sabbatical, Sister Christine is now serving those seeking spiritual direction and a place of peace at the Retreat Center in Niskayuna. 

“I have learned that the mission is God’s work, and my responsibility is listening to and working with God’s movement in ministry,” Sister Christine said. “God has blessed me with the opportunity to offer hope and peace in our world today.”