Sister Nancy Erts papers, 1974 - 2015

Sub-Series — file_cabinet: 2

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

1974 - 2015

Conditions Governing Access

Access is restricted.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Nancy was born Nancy Erts on August 13, 1943 in Poughkeepsie, NY. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on September 4, 1962 and received the habit on June 19, 1963 when she was given the religious name, Sister Thomas Michele. (She began using the name, Sister Nancy after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on June 22, 1964 and final vows on November 29, 1969. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: Saint Thomas, Cornwall, NY, 1966-1967; Immaculata, Durham, NC, 1967-1971; Saint Mary, Gloucester, NJ, 1971-1973; and St. Ursula, Mount Vernon, NY, 1973-1976. She was coordinator of religious education at St. Thomas Parish in Oak Ridge, NJ, 1976-1978 and at Saint Paul Parish in Ramsey, NJ, 1978-1983. Sister was formation director for the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, NY, 1983-1987. Sister Nancy also ministered as pastoral associate at Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish in Elizabeth, NJ, 1987-1993. After completing a sabbatical she was co-director of the Dominican Novitiate in Manchester, MO, 1994-2000. Sister began retreat work at Linwood Spiritual Center in Rhinebeck, NY where she served briefly before moving to Siena Spirituality Center in Water Mill, NY, 2001-2004. She served on the retreat staff of Mariandale Retreat and Conference Center, Ossining, NY, 2004-, as program specialist. Sister Nancy has also been involved in environmental endeavors focused in the Hudson River Valley: (ROAR). Sister Nancy earned: her BA in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY; her MA in Theology and Religious Education from Manhattan College; and her STM in Theology Psych/Pastoral from the New York Theological Seminary.