Sister Helen Doychak papers, 1916 - 2019

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

1916 - 2019

Conditions Governing Access

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

Biographical / Historical

Sister Helen was born Helen Doychak on March 6, 1931 in Passaic, NJ. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on October 3, 1948 and received the habit on June 17, 1949 when she was given the religious name, Sister John Helene. (She began using the name, Sister Helen after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on June 19, 1950 and final vows on August 21, 1953. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: Our Lady of Victory, Mt Vernon, NY 1950-1955; Sacred Heart, Camden, NJ, 1955-1956; and Our Lady of Lourdes, Paterson, NJ, 1956-1961. She moved to secondary education and taught science at: St. Mary High School, in Paterson, NJ, 1961-1969; Pope Pius XII High School, Passaic, NJ, 1969-1975; and at Cathedral Preparatory Seminary, New York City, 1975-1984, 1987-1989. Sister Helen was assistant principal at St. Mary’s High School, Greenwich, CT, 1984-1986, and principal at St. Augustine School, New City, NY, 1989-2000. In addition, Sister Helen was involved with the Family Life Bureau Drug Program in the Paterson Diocese, 1969-1975; was a member of the TEC team, (Teens Encounter Christ) in the Archdiocese of New York for eight years; and was a team member for planning the program, “Women Bearing Gifts,” for six years. In 1966, Sister Helen was recognized as Biology Teacher of the Month by the Theobald Smith Society, and in 1970-1971, received a National Science Foundation Grant from Long Beach State College, San Diego State University, and California State University at Berkley. She was district superintendent with the Department of Education in the Archdiocese of New York, 2000-2008. After retiring, Sister volunteered in several schools, in the Rockland County, NY area, to work with children on a one to one basis. Sister Helen earned her BS in Biology and her MSS in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics from Villanova University. She died June 5, 2019.