Sister Noreen (Mary Richard) Perelli: A Life of Service, Community and Faith

Growing up in the Bronx, New York, Sister Noreen Perelli drew inspiration from her cousin, Sister Mary Dominic Devery. After graduating from St. Michael’s Academy in Manhattan, she followed in her cousin’s footsteps and entered the Presentation congregation. At that time, life for the sisters was very different—semi-cloistered, with little opportunity to leave the convent, and never alone. Today, Sister Noreen continues her journey of faith in a small Presentation community in the Bronx, where she has spent much of her life serving others.

For three decades, Sister Noreen taught in schools across New Jersey and New York. Later, she transitioned into a new role at John S. Burke High School in Goshen, managing audio-visual resources. It was during those years that some Presentation sisters were missioned in Peru, and the only way to stay in touch was through ham radio. Sister Noreen took up the challenge, earning her FCC extra class license. “I met many friends through Amateur Radio, especially ham operators in Goshen,” she recalls fondly.

After leaving Burke, Noreen’s ministry expanded even further when she began serving seniors and the homebound at Immaculate Conception Parish in the Bronx—a role she held for 18 years. “For many elderly, life can be very lonely,” she reflects. “Most of their friends or family have died. My visits, or even a simple phone call, could mean the world to them.”

Community life remains one of Sister Noreen’s greatest blessings. “Three of us live at the only Presentation house left in New York City,” she shares. “We are fortunate to have a chapel and daily Eucharist, and we gather for evening prayer most nights.”

Even after retiring in 2011, Sister Noreen continues to serve. She represented the congregation at the United Nations for a short time, gaining a wider perspective on justice issues and the global work of the International Presentation Association. Today, she still ministers as a pastoral visitor in the Bronx, carrying the same compassion and dedication that have marked her life’s work.

Outside of ministry, Sister Noreen finds joy in the simple pleasures of life—tending a summer vegetable garden, solving puzzles, and cherishing quiet moments of prayer. Her life reflects both steadfast devotion and a willingness to embrace new paths of service, always grounded in her Presentation calling.