Sister Theresa Bisson papers, 1941 - 2012

Sub-Series — file_cabinet: 1

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Record Group: This collection contains records from all the sisters who make up the DSOH. It includes their personal papers, publications, artistic work, photographs, diplomas, ministry history etc. The Dominican Sisters of Hope were founded in 1995. The group includes members of the former Newburgh Domincan, Fall River Dominican and Ossining Dominican Communities. The sisters work and minister in various ways including community organizing, social work, education, environmental advocacy, and retreat ministry.

Dates

1941 - 2012

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted Access. Users have unrestricted access to documents unless stated otherwise.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Theresa was born Theresa Bisson on April 11, 1941 in St. Fall River, MA. She entered the Fall River Congregation on September 8, 1959 and received the habit on August 21. 1960 when she received the religious name, Sister Francois Therese. (She began using the name, Sister Theresa after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on August 22, 1962 and final vows on August 22, 1965. During her years in the congregation she served in the following ministries: St. Anne's, Fall River, MA. She was also school librarian, and during that same period taught one year at Dominican Academy, Fall River, MA Sister was principal at Saint Anne School, Fall River, MA, 1970-1983. While on sabbatical, 1983-84, she volunteered as a counselor at Covenant House in New York City, then as mission worker with the Christian Appalachian Project in Kentucky. Sister was director of religious education and pastoral associate at St. Brendan Parish, Riverside, RI, 1984-1987; pastoral minister at Holy Ghost Parish, Attleboro, MA, 1987-1996; and administrative assistant for the Office of AIDS Ministry in the diocese of Fall River, MA, 1996-1997. Sister Theresa has been coordinator of personal/pastoral services for the Sisters of Mercy of the Northeast, caring for elderly sisters living in assisted living facilities both in Bristol, RI, and Attleboro, MA, 1998-. She died May 13, 2012.