PBVM Living Charism 2017

Presentation Sisters

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

Presentation Health Care Center
99 Church St.
Leominster, MA 01453
Tel: 978-537-7108

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 California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, 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. 

Sr. Mary Byrnes, Sr. Barbara King, Sr. Mary Catherine along with other Presentation Sisters had the opportunity to attend the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in Saint Louis, MO from August 7^th to August 10^th where there were over 800 women in attendance. During this time, they focused on strengthening communications between themselves and the world.

Sisters listened to three keynote speakers including, Sister Gloria Schaab, Heidi Russell, and Brother Simon Pedro Arnold, OSB. Each speaker discussed the importance of communication and the presence of love. These speakers helped do that by sharing their personal stories. After each speaker presented, the Sisters were broken up into smaller groups to share their stories and inspire others.

All 800 Sisters ended the conference by walking to the Saint Louis Courthouse where the 1846, civil rights case Dred Scott vs. Sanford took place. As they arrived, they stood in silence while they prayed for the victims in the hopes that they can eliminate racism. The Sisters learned not only about themselves, but also about what role they play in ending racism across the world.

Jubilee Celebration


On Saturday September 8th, there were over 125 Sisters, Associates, friends and family members who attended the Jubilee celebration to honor our 10 Jubilarians as they celebrated their anniversaries as Presentation Sisters. This celebration took place at St. Thomas of Canterbury in Cornwall, NY starting with 11 Am Mass honoring the Jubilarians and followed by lunch in the parish hall. This afternoon was enjoyed by all while reminiscing and visiting friends and relatives. Photos and a cake to celebrate the occasion were all part of the festive day.