Sister Maria Barbera papers, 1991 - 2014

Sister Maria was born Maria Barbera on September 25, 1944 in Sicily, Italy. She entered the Newburgh Congregation August 30, 1964 and received the habit on June 15, 1965 when she received the religious name, Sister Helen Catherine. She began using the name, Sister Maria after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on June 17, 1966 and final vows on September 25, 1971. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: St. Joseph Elementary, Toms River, NJ, 1969-1971; St. Christopher, Parsippany, NJ, 1971-1973; St. Paul, Jersey City, NJ, 1973-1980; Holy Trinity, Passaic, NJ, 1980-1984; St. Anthony, Hawthorne, NJ, 1984-1990; and Our Lady of Hope, Middle Village, NY, 1990-1992; St. Mel’s, Flushing ,NY, 1992-1993; and St. Thomas Apostle School in Woodhaven NY, 1993-. Sister Maria earned her BA in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY.