Peace and a Love for God's Creatures: Sister Ave Clark's Inspiring Story
by Kristin Dunn
In Queens, New York, Catholic Sister Ave Clark, OP is spreading joy and hope as a pastoral counselor, founder of Heart to Heart Ministry, and author, and she credits her relationship with two small creatures for helping her to overcome hardship and bring God’s love into the lives of those around her.
A Sister of St. Dominic of Amityville for more than 60 years, Sister Ave Clark has been a constant source of joy for others, despite – or perhaps as a result of - overcoming her own challenges. She shares that her two dogs, Sunshine and Sundance, gave her “a whole new world-view of life filled with positivity, playfulness, peace and tranquility.” In her book Paws (Pause) for Peace, she brings the lessons she’s learned to life through poems and reflections.
Sister Ave with Sunshine, who she adopted in 2004
In March of 2004, Sister Ave was hit by a runaway locomotive train in Queens, New York, in a terrifying accident that made national headlines. The Long Island Railroad train hit her as she was driving, and she spent a year in the hospital and rehabilitation, getting surgeries and physical therapy to be able to walk again. “That is when I got Sunshine who was the best physical therapist I could ever have,” she shared. Despite her limp and pain, Sunshine Yorkie was with Sister Ave for 16 years and for the past 6 years Sundance Boy has helped her to get up and continue walking. She said Sunshine Yorkie’s motto was “keep calm and wag on.”
Reverence for All of Life, from an Early Age
From an early age, Sister Ave developed a reverence for all living beings. “I grew up in a family that loved to plant a garden in springtime…flowers, fruit trees and vegetables. Very often our cat Ginger would sit with us as we worked in the garden. It is truly a beautiful way of life to be one with nature and the earth,” she said. “One learns to appreciate and care for the earth and environment in life-giving ways. Our Dominican Sisters have organic farms on some of our Motherhouse grounds and also invite neighbors to come and plant and share the produce with those in need. What a wonderful adventure it is to live here on earth. We humans can carve out a space, very special, called reverence for all of life.”
Her brother Joe is also a friend to animals. “My brother Joe has two dogs and loves sitting with them in his backyard …and finds that you become the dog’s best friend when you engage them as a creature created by a loving Creator.”
The Joy in Loving God’s Creatures
As a Pastoral Counselor with Heart to Heart Ministry, Sister Ave helps people through individual counseling, group retreats, women’s retreats, faith-sharing groups, prayer services, and more. She has seen firsthand the powerful impact of the human-animal bond for the individuals she works with, and how a companion animal “encourages them and comforts them during a difficult time in life.”
“People I visit who are homebound are so appreciative of me bringing Sundance with me and are overjoyed by his energy and fun-loving antics,” said Sister Ave.
“Sunshine for 16 years and now Sundance for almost 6 have taught me a lot about being centered in compassion, forgiving in sincere ways, and being oh-so full of joy and hope too,” added Sister Ave. “Oh we all should be so grateful for the small moments of life.”
Spreading Joy for Miles
Because of Sunshine and Sundance, Sister Ave has spent more time in nature. While Sunshine helped motivate her during recovery in 2004, both dogs have been motivators for long walks.
Sundance taking a rest in between his visits throughout the neighborhood
“[Sundance] loves going up and down the street. I think he is really walking me. He greets other dogs and dog owners with his happy stand-up wave,” she said. The Dominican Sisters of Amityville have highlighted Sister Ave’s long walks, which she referred to as “spiritual journeys” where connections and prayers with neighbors were often sparked thanks to the canine companion by her side.
When they’re not spreading joy in the street, Sister Ave and Sundance are at home or visiting the Motherhouse. He likes to play, rest near her desk, and enjoy an extra treat or two. “He seems to respond calmly when he hears his favorite word which is ‘love.’”
Taking a Paws (Pause) for Peace
A Sister of St. Dominic, Sister Ave chose to grace her book’s cover with the Dominican symbol of a dog carrying a torch, referencing the dream St. Dominic's mother had before his birth.
Sister Ave has authored 16 books, covering a wide range of topics. One of her most recent books, Paws (Pause) for Peace, shares the joy and peace that our fellow creatures teach us, noting that they “inspire we humans to give in ways that are ever so happy, joy-filled and caring. Their little actions are a reminder and an inspiration to be people of peace.” Like Sunshine and Sundance, Sister Ave shares that animals “help us to stay in the present moment of life and get in touch with what the ‘essence’ of sharing our very presence of Peace really means.”
Throughout Paws (Pause) for Peace, she shares poems and reflections on animals and the beauty we find in our relationships with all God’s creatures.
One poignant poem reads:
“I look up and see God
I look down and see my dog and
in my human fragility
I can’t match their love for me”
Advice for Cultivating Hope and Joy
Sister Ave’s radiant joy and kind heart jump off each page and every interaction. We asked her for advice on cultivating joy and hope in life, given her experience overcoming hardship.
In addition to learning from God’s creatures, she shared: “Grow through what you go through and you will become an instrument of Peace in the world. Share unconditional love. Be kind; it is the best gift ever to share. Believe that joy is in small things shared with an open and humble heart.”
And a final word of advice, “Embrace hope and always believe that a paws (pause) for peace is the best advice ever!”
Take Action: Learn more about Sister Ave Clark’s ministry, Heart to Heart. Order a copy of Paws (Pause) for Peace or another book by Sister Ave on Amazon or via her website.