Sister Donna Brunell papers, 1956 - 2017

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

1956 - 2017

Conditions Governing Access

Access is restricted

Biographical / Historical

Sister Donna was born Donna Brunell on August 4, 1942 in Plattsburgh, NY. She entered the Fall River Congregation on September 12, 1960 and received the habit on August 21, 1961 when she received the religious name, Sister Mary Ruth. ( She began using the name, Sister Donna after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on August 22, 1963 and final vows on August 22, 1966. During her years in the congregation she served in the following ministries: St. Anne School, Fall River, MA, 1962-1963, 1966-1967, 1971-1972; Dominican Academy, Fall River, MA, 1963-1966, 1967-1969, and 1972-1973; and St. Bernadette School, New Haven, CT, 1969-1971, 1973-1986. During the latter, she also taught religious education classes in St. Bernadette Parish. She served on the General Council of the Fall River Congregation, 1978-1986 and was archivist, 1986-1992. She served as development director and communicator for the Dominican Sisters of Fall River, 1992-1995; and was communications coordinator for the Dominican Sisters Collaboration to form a new congregation,1995 –. Sister was also director of communications for the Dominican Sisters of Hope. Sister Donna served briefly on the school board of Dominican Academy, Fall River, MA; was co-founder of the Dominican Communicators Network; and served six years on the Board of Directors of the National Communicators Network for Women Religious (NCNWR). She was its chair in 2000 and was active on the regional level for many years. In addition to her ministries, she was an avid fabric and paper crafter for most of her life and belonged to a group of quilters who met regularly at Mariandale Retreat Center. Sister Donna earned her BA in Education from the College of the Sacred Hearts, Fall River, MA and her MS in Elementary Education from Southern Connecticut State College. She also earned a Certificate in Theology from Providence College and in Pastoral Communications from the University of Dayton. In 1995, she was awarded a grant to the Institute for Religious Communications at Loyola University in New Orleans.