Fr. Dismas Sayre, OP

The Dominicans Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

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Religious Retirement

Our elderly and infirm friars receive the best care we have available to us, as in any family. We rely heavily on the donations of others for our own existence and thus when one of our own becomes incapable of further ministry due to age or infirmity, those same donations help us support the sometimes necessary special care required by such members of our communities.

We prefer to care for our elderly and infirm in our own houses so that the life of a religious community can be a part of a friars life as long as possible. This is also the most economical in many ways. We strive to use donations wisely. But sometimes a care facility is essential. As we, as a Province, do not benefit from the national collection for retired religious, we ask that you assist us in caring for these friars who have prayed, taught, served and ministered for so many years amomg the people of the Western United States and beyond.

Please, in your kindness, consider assisting us in this work of brotherly love.

Many thanks in advance.

Catholicism

It's just the right thing

I was born in 1968 in Puerto Rico, but grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania., the middle of five kids. After a brief stint in the Navy, I attended the University of Utah.

At the "U," I met my first Dominicans. Little did I know at that time that this would eventually lead me to change from one black and white uniform to another. I was baptized Catholic, but had never gone to a Mass, save for one in Boot Camp (the option was go to church, or work. Many of us "found" religion that way). After I began college, with God's helping nudge and occasional swift kicks, I entered the Catholic Church, and I was confirmed at the Dominican Newman Center in Salt Lake City in 1990. A few years later, I felt the tug to religious life, but wasn't able to take advantage until 2000, when I finally entered the novitiate in Oakland, California.

Every student brother has a "year away," where we study in another province to learn more about the rest of the Dominican order. For me, this was a few years ago, and I chose to go to our house of studies in Lima, Peru, partly from my interest in the country, and partly to get my Spanish back up to speed. Lima has the added beauty of being the home of three great Dominican saints, Rose of Lima, Martin de Porres, and Juan Macias, whose relics are displayed at our church near the historical center of Lima. I also had the blessing to work a mission during the Triduum at a remote mountain village and see some of the countryside and other cities.

After my year in Peru, I did my year of residency at our Newman Center in Eugene, Oregon. There, I worked with the priests and staff of the Newman Center for some on-the-job schooling, learning what ministry was really like from the inside, and from all the faithful parishioners who made it such a joy to serve. I think just about every Dominican student describes this as his favorite year of studies, and I was no different!

I then returned to finish my studies in California, and was ordained a priest on May 31st, 2008, the Feast of the Visitation. I am one of the parochial vicars at our extremely busy parish in Antioch, California, living the Dominican life and enjoying it! I help out with LifeTeen, Spanish Masses and confessions, and where ever else needed.

In my free time I like to read, watch movies (a fan of "Mystery Science Theater 3000"), and go walking or hiking. [updated: September 19, 2008]

First Mass, June 1, 2008
These photos are through the generosity of Zachery Foreman, former classmate of Fr. Dismas.

First Mass - Fr. Dismas Sayre, OP

Fr. Dismas Sayre, OP celebrates his first Mass as Presider at St. Albert Chapel in Oakland, California. Here Fr. Dismas is seen incensing the altar at the beginning of the Mass.