Sister Juanita Morales papers, 1965 - 2012

Sub-Series — file_cabinet: 3

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

1965 - 2012

Conditions Governing Access

Access is restricted.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Juanita was born Margarite Morales on December 28, 1931 in Puerto Rico. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on September 8, 1957 and received the habit on June 11, 1958 when she was given the religious name, Sister Juanita. She pronounced first vows on June 17, 1959 and final vows on August 21, 1962. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: St. Mary, Newburgh, NY, 1957-1958; Gloucester Catholic, HS, Gloucester, NJ, 1959-1961; Academia San Jose Elementary, Guaynabo, PR, 1961-1966, St. Mary, Newburgh, NY, 1966-1969; Our Lady of Lourdes, Paterson, NJ, 1969-1970; Holy Trinity, Passaic, NJ, 1970-1971; and Saint Paul, Jersey City, NJ, 1971-1974. Sister Juanita then became involved in a Spanish apostolate at; Saint Joseph Parish, Paterson, NJ, 1974-1975; Saint Rose of Lima, Newark, NJ, 1975-1977; and Our Lady of Lourdes School in Paterson, NJ, 1977-1978. She was librarian at Passaic Catholic Regional School in Passaic, NJ, 1978-1979. After serving as pastoral minister at Our Lady of Lourdes, Paterson, NJ, 1979-1981, she worked at the Hispanic Multi-Purpose Center as a family counselor, 1981-1982. Sister worked as a family service specialist with the Division of Youth and Family Services in Paterson, Clifton, and Pompton Lakes NJ, 1982-1994. She also ministered at the Newburgh Ministry, Newburgh, NY, doing community outreach, mostly to the Hispanic community, 1994-1997, coordination for children with developmental disabilities at Family Empowerment Council, Middletown, NY, 1997-1999. Sister did part time clerical work for the Family Empowerment Council, 1999-. Sister Juanita earned her BA in Elementary Education from the University of Puerto Rico, and holds certification in Pastoral Ministry from Fordham University. She is also an accredited teacher of Tai Chi Chih.