Pursuing Peace through Justice by Providing Service to Others

By Sister Dorothy Verna, CSJP

Sister Dorothy Verna entered the Congregation in New Jersey but currently resides in Seattle, Washington. She professed final vows on September 6, 2014. Sister Dorothy was a geriatric nurse practitioner and a massage therapist. She received a Masters of Pastoral Studies from Seattle University.

After a long career in Nursing, I had the opportunity to serve in a variety of community volunteer positions in Seattle: Wellness Instructor at the Pike Market Senior Center, Blood Donor Monitor at BloodWorks Northwest, Front Desk Coordinator at North Helpline, and Seattle Homeless Outreach. I was then recruited to minister as a Resident Service Coordinator in a low-income housing program serving older adults, providing social services and wellness programs. After serving in housing prior to and during the pandemic, I became a Laudato Si’ Animator and conducted outreach to Catholic parishes throughout the state of Washington, on behalf of Earth Ministry, the Washington State chapter of the national organization Interfaith Power and Light. As of June 2023, I am serving as a Long Term Care Ombudsman, advocating for residents of skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, and adult family homes. Service to others, particularly poor and marginalized individuals, is how I live out the charism of peace through justice.