Sister Mary Rita Sweeney papers, 1943 - 2022

Sub-Series — file_cabinet: 4

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

1943 - 2022

Conditions Governing Access

Access is restricted.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Mary Rita was born Mary Sweeney on February 3, 1926 in NYC. She entered the Newburgh Congregation on September 8, 1956 and received the habit on June 12, 1957 when she was given the religious name, Sister Mary Rita. She pronounced first vows on June 12, 1958 and final vows on August 21, 1961. During her years in the congregation she served in the following schools: St. Thomas, Pleasantville, NY, 1960-1963; St. Mary HS, Paterson, NJ, Business Teacher, 1963-1965; Our Lady of Lourdes HS, Poughkeepsie, NY, 1965-1968; Pope Pius XII HS, Passaic, NJ, 1968-1969; as principal at Assumption, Fairfield, CT, 1969-1970; business teacher at Immaculate High School in Danbury, CT, 1971-1974. She also served the congregation as Formation Director at Mt. St. Mary Convent, Newburgh, NY, 1970-1971, and as executive secretary to the Dominican Sisters of Newburgh, 1974-1979 . Sister served as a secretary to the leadership team of the Dominican Sisters of Hope in their administration offices in Ossining, New York, 1996-. . Sister Mary Rita earned two Masters degrees, one in business education from Columbia University and another in religious studies from Providence College.

Sister Mary Rita Sweeney died on November 20, 2022 at The Wartburg, Mount Vernon, New York. She was 96 years old. She was buried in the Dominican Sisters of Hope Cemetery on the grounds the Center at Mariandale in Ossining, New York.