Sister Frances Whelan papers, 1932 - 2015

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

1932 - 2015

Conditions Governing Access

Unrestricted Access. Users have unrestricted access to documents unless stated otherwise.

Biographical / Historical

Sister Frances was born Frances Whelan on June 18, 1933 in Duluth, MN. She entered the Ossining Congregation on September 7, 1952 and received the habit on March 8, 1953 when she received the religious name, Sister Noel. (She began using the name, Sister Frances after Vatican II). She pronounced first vows on September 9, 1954 and final vows on September 9, 1957. During her years in the congregation she served in the following Dominican Sisters Home Health Care Agencies: House of Calvary, Bronx, NY, 1958-1959; Catholic charities, Riverhead, NY, 1961-1964; Ossining, NY, 1968-1973; Harlem, NY, 1973-1976; Hampton Bays, NY, pastoral care and social casework, 1976-1980; assistant director of pastoral care, St. Clare's Hospital, 1981-1982; chaplain, Lincoln Medical Center, 1982-1990; and social work, AIDS Resource Center, New York, NY, 1990-1992. In 1995 she began her ministry in massage therapy at: Family Learning circle, South Bronx; NY, Mariandale retreat and conference Center, Ossining, NY; Thorpe Family Residence, Bronx, NY; and then with the Little Sisters of the assumption Family Health Service and Residential Care at the Newburgh Center of Hope. Sister Frances earned her: BA in Nursing from the College of Mt. St. Vincent; Master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University School of Social Work; and a Master’s degree in Theology from Manhattanville College in Purchase NY. She earned a CPE from Hospital Chaplaincy, Inc. in New York City, and certification in Massage Therapy from Swedish Institute, also in New York. She died February 15, 2015.