Sister Joanne Blihar papers, 1939 - 2010

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

1939 - 2010

Conditions Governing Access

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

Biographical / Historical

Sister Joanne was born Joanne Blihar on September 26, 1939 in Bayonne, NJ. She entered the Newburgh Congregation September 1, 1956 and received the habit on June 12, 1957 when she received the religious name, Sister Bernadette de Lourdes. (She began using the name, Sister Joanne after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on June 13, 1958 and final vows on August 21, 1961. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: Saint Boniface ,Paterson, NJ, 1958-1959; Saint Paul, Jersey City, NJ, 1959-1970; Regina Coeli, Hyde Park, NY, 1975-1977. She was principal of: Nativity School, Bronx , NY, 1970-1971; Saint Patrick, Woodbury, NJ, 1971-1973; and Saint Ursula, Mount Vernon, NY, 1973-1975. Her ministry as pastoral associate took her to: Saint Vincent DePaul Parish, Holiday, FL, 1977-1980; Saint Peter Parish, Fairmont, WV, 1980-1984; Saint Patrick Parish, Seneca Falls, NY, 1985-1986; Saint Joseph Parish, Carteret, NJ, 1986-1987; and Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, Elizabeth, NJ, 1987-1990. Sister was Administrator of the Dominican Sisters Infirmary, Newburgh, NY, 1984-1985. She was a clerk in the finance office of the Dominican Sisters,1991-1994. Sister served as pastoral minister at the Newburgh Center of Hope, 1994-2001. Following a sabbatical, she did volunteer ministry at the Newburgh Ministry, 2002-2003 and then at the Newburgh Center of Hope. Sister Joanne earned a BA in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY. She also holds certification in counseling and other related areas. She died November 22, 2010.