Dominican Sisters Break Ground and Build Relationships

The Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose selected March 19th the Feast of St. Joseph, patron of workers, for a groundbreaking celebration at their Fremont Motherhouse headquarters. The $20 million project includes construction of a 36-unit Sisters residence and a Community & Wellness Center. Renovations to their Siena building will prepare space for daytime memory care, operated by ASEB (Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay). This first dementia-specific program in Fremont will open its doors after renovations are complete in September 2014. Adult memory care services respond to a growing need – one City of Fremont officials affirmed with a Community Development Block Grant ($310,000) toward Siena renovation costs. The Dominican ASEB program will serve diverse adults, veterans and low income families living in the Tri-City area.   

Groundbreaking guests include elected officials, City of Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison and Council members along with donors, friends, community and non-profit leaders. Attendees will join the Sisters in a blessing, asking St. Joseph to protect skilled trades and construction workers building and renovating facilities on the 26-acre campus, which the Sisters purchased in 1891. The dormitory-style St. Joseph Priory was demolished in February, with 99.4 percent of the building’s materials recycled. The project will be LEED certified, honoring the Sisters’ commitment to “care of creation” and environmental sustainability. Hillhouse Construction of San Jose is the contractor on the 15-month project. Congregational Prioress S. Gloria Marie Jones, OP acknowledged the Sisters’ focus on the future, “Today we celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in our story, an expanding Motherhouse vision that creates space to meet wider community needs.”    

The congregation has raised approximately 75 percent of capital costs and welcomes contributions and inquiries about project plans and community impact.  For more information please contact: 

Margaret McCarthy, Development Director (510 933-6309; mmccarthy@msjdominicans.org). 

Founded in 1876, the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose are an international congregation of Catholic women with 22 affiliated elementary and secondary schools in northern and southern California and a Province in Mexico.  Please visit: www.msjdominicans.org.