Sister Mary Dominic Sweeney, CCVI

Sr. Dominic was born Julia Mary Sweeney in 1920 in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, Ireland. Her parents were Denis and Bridget Callanan Sweeney. She entered the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of Houston, TX on October 3, 1935 at St. Michael Convent in Co. Clare, Ireland. Sister Dominic consecrated her life to God by first profession of vows on May 4, 1941 at Villa de Matel in Houston, TX.

In the following years, Sister became a Registered Nurse after completing her studies at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Port Arthur, TX. On June 6, 1946, Sr. Dominic made perpetual profession of vows to God. A little later, Sister was appointed Head Nurse at St. Edward Hospital in Cameron, TX and then Nursing Supervisor at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston. In 1952, Sr. Dominic was asked to attend St. Louis University in Missouri to complete a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master’s Degree in Nursing Education. In the years that followed, Sr. Dominic served our Lord and the young adults who wanted to become nurses. Sr. Dominic accomplished this through the following ministries: Nursing Instructor at Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston, Director of Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in Beaumont, Assistant Professor of Nursing again at Sacred Heart Dominican College in Houston, Vice President of Education Division of St. Joseph Hospital in Houston, Director of Education at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont, TX. Later in life, Sister completed certification for Chaplain by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains and ministered to others in that capacity at St. Joseph Hospital in Houston and St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK; also, she was the Director of Pastoral Care at St. Mary Medical Center in Long Beach, CA. Her life was spent teaching others how to bring relief to those suffering from spiritual and physical afflictions. The gifts of healing given to her were freely and generously bestowed on others. Her spirit of kindness, quality of care, and cheerful outlook were shared as they flowed from her inner life of prayer and love of God. Now that her journey has ended, her life was an expression of “I pray, Lord, that I may know You more clearly, love You more dearly, and follow You more nearly.”

Sr. Dominic is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters: Mary Sweeney Scanlan and Sr. Columba Sweeney, CCVI and her brother, Nicholas Sweeney. She is survived by her brother, Denis Sweeney, and sisters-in-law: Kathleen Sweeney; and Kathleen Sweeney, several nieces and nephews, including Sr. Rose Scanlan, CCVI, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. A very special thank you is extended to the Sisters and staff at St. Anne Convent for their assistance to Sr. Dominic during her later years and death.

Sister’s body will be received at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Villa de Matel, 6510 Lawndale St., Houston, TX, at 5:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 2, 2013, followed by Evening Praise and a celebration of her life. Mass of Christian Burial will be held in the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Villa de Matel at 10:30 A.M. on Monday June 3, 2013. Rite of Committal will follow at Villa de Matel Cemetery.