Sister Mary Cecilia Murray papers, 1980 - 2014

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

1980 - 2014

Conditions Governing Access

Access is restricted.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Mary Cecilia was born Patricia Murray on January 23, 1937 in Flushing, 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 Mary Cecilia. She pronounced first vows on June 22, 1964 and final vows on June 21, 1969. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: Bishop Dunn Memorial, Newburgh, NY. 1962-1963, 1964-1965;and at Holy Rosary, Hawthorne, NY, 1965-1966. She taught music and religion at Mount St Mary HS, Newburgh, 1966-1979, and religion at Immaculate HS, Danbury, CT, 1979-1989. Sister was historian for the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, 1989-1990 1991-1993. She taught music at Mt. St. Mary College, 1990-1991. Following full-time study, she returned to Mt. St. Mary College, where she tutored in the HEOP program, 1994-2000. In 1995, she worked briefly in the Greenhaven Prison Program at Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY. She has taught religion at Mt. St. Mary College, 1998-. Sister was also the author of the book, “Other Waters”, a history of the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, NY. Sister Mary Cecilia earned: her BMU in Piano from Manhattan Ville College; her MA in Musicology from Catholic University; her MA in Multidiscipline from Manhattan Ville College; her MA in Christian Education from Princeton Theological Seminary; and her PhD in American Religious Studies from Drew University.