Sister Preneeka Dabrera

In 1999, 18-year-old Preneeka Dabrera left her native Sri Lanka with her sister and came to join her mother in the United States. It was done with mixed feelings-happiness at the thought of being with her mother, but sadness to leave the family and friends she had in Sri Lanka. Back in her homeland she was raised with the guiding principle: “Taking care of others is important — no matter if they are family or not.” Everyone in her church, school and home strived to live their lives by this model. Ministry was instilled in her as a teenager by working with the religious sisters.

While she was in school in Sri Lanka, she was close to the Good Shepherd Sisters in her parish. She worked with them helping and meeting the needs of others, and she viewed life by learning of people’s sorrows, hopes, and life situations. Within her the desire to help others and be a compassionate presence in their lives was taking root.

On coming to the United States, she continued her education attending York College for English, computer science, and GED. To pay for a degree in Business Administration at Plaza College, she worked as a unit clerk in the maternity area of Roosevelt Hospital. However, the desire to do more was still prodding within her.

Preenika had liked being with the sisters, sharing their life and doing their work. She went to St. Peter the Apostle parish near Fordham University and inquired about a community she could contact. One of the priests gave her the phone number of a Carmelite Sister in Beacon. This Sister put her in touch with Sister Mary Walsh who was the Vocation Director of the Sisters of St. Joseph and Preenika found her sisters. She started her path to become a Sister of St. Joseph and joined the Novitiate in May 2011.

Meanwhile the desire to be a chaplain increased. S. Preenika earned a Masters degree in Pastoral Care from Fordham University and a CPE at NY Presbyterian Hospital. When she became a Board-certified Chaplain, she fulfilled her dream.

Sister Preenika loves helping and listening to people and  is constantly amazed by their life experiences and stories. She is broadened by how they see God, their beliefs, and what energizes them. As a chaplain at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital she she offers her services to patients and families of varied religious beliefs. She says: “I am guided by the Charism of Sisters of St. Joseph: ‘Love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.’ We are called to be the healers of the world. I’m here to be a compassionate, healing presence to anyone I encounter.”

In times of suffering and dying, people question God in their situation. S.Preenika believes it is essential t to be with them in their pain. She experiences that no matter their faith, people see the Chaplain as a representative of God. Both patient and family find comfort in that. Sadly, sometimes there is no family, and the Chaplain is the only one who is present.

S. Preenika believes Chaplaincy is a very important ministry. Everyone needs someone who will listen to them without judgment and everyone has a story to tell. She has seen the  importantce of  having  a compassionate listening presence and would like to pass on her experience and knowledge to students. She believes that people skills are needed to be a Chaplain and one needs to be rooted in God and the gospel.

It is her joy to serve everybody and a community that includes all. Her goal is to be a loving presence to everyone who comes her way.