Sister Cecilia James Hayes papers, 1958 - 2012

Sister Cecilia James was born Margaret Hayes on November 5, 1931 in Brooklyn, NY. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on December 8, 1958 and received the habit on June 16, 1959 when she was given the religious name, Sister Cecilia James. She pronounced first vows on June 17, 1960 and final vows on August 11, 1963. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: Assumption, Fairfield, CT, 1961-1967, 1976-1978; Queen of Apostles, Alexandria, VA, 1967-1969; Saint Paul, Jersey City, NJ, 1974-1976; Holy Trinity, Passaic, NJ, 1979-1980; Saint Ignatius Day Nursery, New York City, 1984-1989; Saint Elizabeth Pre-School, New York City, 1989-1990; and Our Lady of Good Counsel, Moorestown, NJ, 1993-1995. Sister was administrator of Saint Joseph Nursery, New York City, 1969-1974; Saint Mary’s Day Care Center, Passaic, NJ, 1978-1979; and at Saint Elizabeth Pre-School, New York City, 1990-1993. Sister Cecilia James also served as principal of Our Lady of Victory, Mt. Vernon, NY, 1980-1984. Following a sabbatical, she served as community life coordinator at the Center of Hope, Ossining, NY,1997-2000, and as coordinator of assisted living at the Newburgh Center of Hope, 2000-2002. Sister also served in parish ministry at St. Mary’s Parish, Newburgh NY, 2003-. Sister Cecilia James earned her BA in Elementary Education from Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY, and her MS in Administration from Bank Street College.