The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Roman Catholic religious congregation of women. We carry out our mission of love and service through our many ministries with God’s people, especially poor women and children.

In 1997, the Sisters of the Presentation of Fitchburg,
Massachusetts, and the Sisters of the Presentation of
Newburgh, New York united to form one congregation now based in New Windsor, New York. Today our Sisters work in education, pastoral ministry, health care, and social services in New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. We are part of a worldwide network of 3000 Presentation Sisters and Presentation Associates through the International Presentation Association.                               

                                                                                            Nano Nagle Mural, Dingle, Ireland    

Our Beginnings The Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary were founded in Ireland in 1775 by Nano Nagle. She felt she was called by God to bring the light of faith to the poor children of Cork.  The Penal Laws of the time forbade any form of Catholic instruction in Ireland, but Nano Nagle was willing to risk imprisonment and disgrace for the sake of the Gospel. Visiting the sick and homebound by night along Cork’s cobbled streets, she became known as the “Lady With the Lantern”. In time she gathered other women to form a new society of women religious dedicated to the service of the poor. Nano Nagle’s small band of women, originally named the Society of Charitable Instruction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, later became known as the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Fitchburg, Massachusetts, and Newburgh, New York In September, 1874, twelve brave Presentation Sisters from Ireland, led by Mother Joseph Hickey, responded to an invitation to teach the children of poor Irish immigrants at Saint Michael’s parish in New York City. Because many of the children’s parents had died, St. Michael’s soon opened an orphanage on Staten Island, also staffed by Presentation Sisters. In 1884, this became the home of the newly etablished Sisters of the Presentation of Staten Island. In 1886, Mother Magdalen Keating set out from Staten Island with a small group of Sisters to begin a new foundation in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The Sisters eventually opened schools and other ministries in other areas of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. In 1921, Presentation Sisters from St. Michael’s purchased property near the city of Newburgh, New York.  Later this site, Mount Saint Joseph, became the motherhouse of the Sisters of the Presentation of Newburgh.  In July, 1997, after six years of study and preparation, the Fitchburg and Newburgh Presentation congregations became one. 

Leadership Team Recognition
Since the beginning of the Pandemic, our Leadership Team has worked diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of our Staff, Sisters, and Associates by personally disinfecting the office and providing personal protective equipment (PPE). In recognition of this, our staff put together this celebration thanking them for their hard work and dedication to our Presentation Community. Pictured from left to right are, Sr. Mary Byrnes, Sr. Patricia Anastasio, Sr. Martha Otterstedt, and Sr. Barbara King.

Statement on Racism
 

Presentation Sisters of New Windsor, NY stand with all those children, women, men, religious, cleric, and all those in leadership positions who condemn the horrific disease of systemic racism that we as American Citizens have accepted and lived for over 400 years.  We weep and mourn with those families who have lost a child, spouse, or parent to this epidemic of police killing.  Our hearts ache for our sisters and brothers of color who live in the daily fear of encountering violence, arrest, or even death at the hands of those whose job it is to protect.

As women religious, we acknowledge and repent of our failings because of the ‘white privilege’ that we are part of.  The Venerable Nano Nagle founded our congregation to take up our lanterns and go out into the dark of the night to care for all those in need.  The dark night has enveloped our country and we are compelled by her motto, “NOT WORDS BUT DEEDS.”  It is time for us to remind ourselves and to invite you to remember with us that the social teachings of the Catholic Church are extremely clear regarding the treatment of those in need.  The need of this time is explicitly in front of us in the lives and deaths of too many people of color.  Today we call on every person in the United States to join in raising our voices after the example of Nano Nagle to get up, get out, and DO, to share the message that we are all in this together and that we are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper.  Join us in prayer that while our nation is in danger of losing its soul, our faith in the Living God will strengthen us to do what is right, work to eliminate racism and give our sisters and brothers of color the respect and dignity that is their just due as children of God.

News Flash! The 2020 Spring Newsletter is up on our website. Click here to read.

Administration Office
84 Presentation Way
New Windsor, NY 12553
Tel: 845-564-0513

Mount St. Joseph
64 Presentation Way
New Windsor, NY 12553
Tel: 845-564-6620

Presentation Convent
99 Church St
Leominster, MA 01453
Tel: 978-537-7108