We are active, apostolic, Catholic women religious participating in the mission of Jesus in the United States of America.

Our Sisters

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Agatha Lucey

Born in Ireland
Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Agatha spent many of her active ministry years as a nurse, helping in many of the hospitals in the area. She has always had a strong faith knowing that “God brought us all here for a reason,” making the best of all things she has encountered and continues to encounter throughout her life.

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Angela Callanan

Born: Ireland

Current: Cypress, CA

Sister Angela is a part of our Vocations Team! If you are discerning or looking for some guidance, Sr. Angela might be the person you have been looking for. She also serves in the Development Office and organizes Gala events in Southern California.

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Anne O'Leary

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sister Anne O’Leary is a part of our Vocations Team! If you are interested in Religious Life or in need of someone to help you discern, Sr. Anne is a great person to talk to.

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Annette Figueiredo

Born: Goa, India

Current: Cypress, CA

Sr. Annette ministers with the bereaved as the Funeral Director at St. Irenaeus Parish in Cypress. She is also the contact sister with Regina Residence for our five sisters residing there and thus, she's able to visit with each of the sisters in their own bedrooms, walk with them in the grounds, and do whatever else is needed every Thursday.

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Bernadette Trecker

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sister Bernadette has been a part of countless ministries. Today she offers music lessons, sharing her gift of music with others. Through her Presentation Music Studio, she is an independent Music Teacher teaching students of all ages private and group piano instruction.

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Breda Christopher

Born: Ireland

Current: Orange, CA

Sr. Breda left Ireland in 1953 to join the Presentation Sisters in the USA. While her main ministry was education, she also did active ministry in working with the homeless, drug addiction patients, visiting those in prison, doing what she could to help the people she came across “get their lives back.” Sr. Breda loves to garden and finds great peace in nature

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Catherine Burke

Born: Ireland

Current: Los Angeles, CA

Sr. Catherine Burke was born in Galway, Ireland. She joined the Presentation Sisters in Baliboro, Ireland for the mission in Pakistan where she lived & taught for four years. She was then sent to the United States where she ministered in Orange, Huntington Beach, Cypress, Whittier & Upland, California. She lived and ministered in San Antonio, Texas for six years. She lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 10 years serving the Sisters on the Unit Leadership Team. She has lived in Los Angeles, California for the past 21 years serving as Co-Director of Presentation Learning Center.

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Debbie Gumina

Current: LA, California

Sister Debbie works in hospitals as a social worker in the Pediatric unit. She tends to those throughout the hospital and offers her compassion and guidance to all those she encounters daily.

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Fidelma Lyne

Born: Ireland

Current: Orange, CA

Sr. Fidelma felt the call to be a Presentation Sister at a young age. However, she was certain that she would NEVER come to the USA and leave her home country of Ireland but God had different plans for Sr. Fidelma. She ended up coming to the USA to live out the mission of the Presentation Sisters. To this day she remains living in the USA, regretting nothing and knowing that God called her where she was supposed to be. She has continued to touch many people throughout her time as a Presentation Sister through the numerous ministries she has been a part of.

To watch a video on Sr. Fidelma's journey to the USA CLICK HERE.

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Francine Janousek

Born: North Dakota, USA

Current: Huntington Beach, CA

Words from Sr. Francine, “The general public might not know who we are, but the poor knows who we are.” Sr. Francine currently works on our Acorn Update, using her gift of writing to share the news of the Presentation Sisters.

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Gemma Pires

Born: Goa, India

Current: Cypress, CA

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Immaculata Kelly

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sister Immaculata came over on the boat from Ireland to the USA to continue the mission of the Presentation Sisters in the USA. She has had great trust in the Lord, always saying yes to the call of religious life, as well as the ministries she has been a part of.

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Jan Ihli

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

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Jane Bonar

Born: Long Beach, CA

Current: Los Angeles, CA

Sister Jane Bonar was born in Long Beach, California. She joined the Presentation Sisters in Cypress, California. She then lived and ministered in Cypress, Huntington Beach, Orange & Upland, California. She also lived and ministered for four years in Globe, Arizona. For ten years she served the Sisters on the Unit Leadership Team, based in Phoenix, Arizona. She is currently living in Los Angeles, California where she has been Co-Director of Presentation Learning Center for 21 years.

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Joan O'Sullivan

Born: Ireland

Current: Cypress, CA

Sr. Joan O’Sullivan is an active member of our Friends of Nano. Inspired by the mission of Nano Nagle, men and women from across the globe work together in ways to keep the spirit of Nano alive within our communities. Sr. Joan is passionate and emphasizes the importance of caring for the whole Earth Family.

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Jocelyn A. Quijano

Born: Philippines

Current: Upland, CA

Sister Jocelyn is a member of our Unit Leadership Team and serves as liaison to Vocations & Formation, Justice, and Communications. Sr. Jocelyn likes hiking, dancing, and listening to music. She keeps her favorite scripture verse, “Abide in me as I abide in you” (John 15:4),  close to her heart and feels greatly blessed as a Presentation Sister.

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Josepha Feeney

Born: Sligo, Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sr. Josepha is a wonderful baker and loves to play cards. When you eat one of her baked goods, you'll be licking your lips!

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Josephine Brennan

Born: Ireland

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Josephine came to the USA at a young age to be a Presentation Sister. She was drawn to the mission and ministry of the congregation. Throughout her time as a sister she has been a part of many different ministries, but one she holds close to her heart was her time as a teacher.

To watch a video on Sr. Josephine's story click HERE.

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Julie Hurtado

Current: L.A., CA

Sister Julie is a registered nurse who ministers to those in need on the streets. She is currently working with the homeless in downtown L.A., California with a team of people through the Department of Health Services. She continues her ministry with “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phillippians 4:13) as her strength each day.

To see more on Sr. Julie's work click HERE.

A video on Retreat Day with Sr. Julie: CLICK HERE.

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Katherine Fennell

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sr. Katherine is our Unit Leader. With a collaborative effort she works with the leadership team, making sure all aspects of the congregation, no matter the location, are in communication with one another.

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Kathleen Pritchard

Born: Ireland

Current: Cypress, CA

Sr. Kathleen was a teacher and a Principal in various elementary schools in Southern California. She also served in the leadership team in Zimbabwe for several years.

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Lorraine Schmaltz

Born: North Dakota, USA

Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Lorraine is a part of our Vocations Team. She has been part of numerous ministries throughout her time as a Presentation Sister. She currently offers spiritual direction, helping people from all different backgrounds grow in their spiritual lives. She is also a Baby Cuddler for hospitals in her area. Sr. Lorraine finds great joy in all the work she does.

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Marcelline Sookov

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sister Marcelline’s main ministry was through nursing. She was involved in many different ministries, but always felt most at peace helping those in the hospitals. She tended to all kinds of patients, always brought them comfort and love through her unwavering faith.

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Margaret Harte

Current: Robertsdale, AL

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Margaret Mary Barrett

Born: County Cork, Ireland

Current San Antonio, Texas

Sr. Margaret Mary served in Faith Formation particularly Catequesis Familiar (Family Catechesis), Home Visitation Evangelization Team, and in the leadership team. She speaks Spanish and also taught English as a Second Language. She and Sr. Jocelyn "opened" the house on Arbor Place in San Antonio to live with the immigrants and the marginalized. Sr. Margaret Mary loves talking with people and playing cards. There's no person that would be a stranger to Margaret Mary!

Maria Kelly
Maria Kelly

Born: Tipperary, Ireland

Current: Huntington Beach, CA

Sr. Maria Kelly taught Junior High, particularly Math, at St. Bonaventure's School in Huntington Beach.

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Marie Glennon

Born: Ireland

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Marie left her home and came to the USA to be a Presentation Sister. She, like many of the sisters, participated in countless ministries, but a time of her life that stands out is her time as a nurse. She spent many years comforting families and praying with them as their loved ones were in surgery, etc. Her compassion has touched countless people over the years. She has always found her love and strength through God, but also her strong devotion to St. Joseph.

Click HERE to watch a video on Sr. Marie and her ministry!

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Marilyn Omieczynski

Born: USA

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Marilyn is creative and artistic. She does ceramics, knows how to make candles, and the list goes on! She used to do youth retreats; as well as spent time as a teacher. Sr. Marilyn is a trained spiritual director and ministered at the House of Prayer in Tucson, AZ, before being missioned to Fargo.

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Mary Antonio Heaphy

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sister Antonio is a member of our Unit Leadership Team. She was involved in education, pastoral ministry, catechesis, and RENEW (small faith communities). Before beginning to serve on the leadership team in the early 2000's, she ministered at the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Sr. Antonio also loves cats, currently owning a cat named 'Rosie' and she knows how to knit!

Mary Dunlea
Mary Dunlea

Born: Ireland

Current: Huntington Beach, CA

Sr. Mary Dunlea served in Formation ministry for several years - as Novice Directress and as Temporary Professed Directress. She also ministered as a teacher and in RCIA.

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Mary F. O'Driscoll

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

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Mary Kelly

Born: Ireland

Current: Upland, CA

Sister Mary came to the USA from Ireland, following her call as a Presentation Sister. Sr. Mary has lived in many places doing all kinds of ministry, but her ministry in the classroom has been a constant throughout her time in religious life. She has always found such joy being surrounded by students, seeing a true light in all the children she taught.

To learn more about Sr. Mary's time as a teacher click HERE.

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Maura DeCrans

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

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Maura Fitzsimons

Born: Ireland

Current: Shaw, Mississippi

Sr. Marua joined the Presentation Sisters in Bailieboro, Co Cavan, Ireland in 1958 and was subsequently missioned to Pakistan. After five years of Novitiate and of learning the "know how" of Religious life, education, and teaching, Sr. Maura was  missioned to California. There, she taught in the school system for a number of years until she became  aware of that "small voice" of the Spirit calling Sr. Maura to other ministries. Over time Sr. Maura has been blessed to have covered a wide variety of ministerial work in the Golden State. She now works in Shaw, Mississippi, a community strong in inherited Southern Faith, and located in one of those pockets of disadvantage so familiar all over the Delta. Jesus sought out the marginalized and that too is the work Sr. Maura cherishes.
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Patricia O'Sullivan

Current: San Antonio, Texas

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Peggy Byrne

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Peggy’s trust in God has brought incredible adventures throughout her time as a Presentation Sister. She spent numerous years living in Peru, starting schools, teaching students, and changing the world. Sr. Peggy has left a life long impact on all the people she’s met, especially those in Peru.

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Philippa Wall

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sr. Philippa Wall was born in Laois, Ireland.  She joined the Presentation Sisters in Mount St. Anne’s, Killenard, Laois.  Following graduation as an Elementary Teacher she taught for fourteen years in Ireland before coming to the United States where she continued teaching in Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas until retirement.  Currently she serves as the Unit Archivist.  She catalogs the historical records of the life and mission of the Presentation Sisters and preserves them in a designated place called the archives.  They tell the story of God’s grace in action in a group of people.

Rosaleen O'Connell
Rosaleen O'Connell

Born: Dublin, Ireland

Current: Cypress, CA

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Roselima D'Costa

Born: India

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Sr. Roselima is our Peace and Justice contact for the Presentation Sisters. She is a part of the IPA (International Presentation Association), which focuses on the mission of working for global justice for all creation.

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Rosemary O'Sullivan

Born: Cork, Ireland

Current: Cypress, CA

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Sharon Altendorf

Current: San Antonio, Texas

Sister Sharon is a part of our Vocations Team. Sr. Sharon is regularly taking part in conferences and other events to help people of all ages understand what the Presentation Sisters encompass. She is a great resource and contact when it comes looking for guidance of any kind, especially discernment of religious life.

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Shawna Foley

Born: Oklahoma

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

Like many of us, Sister Shawna found herself in her mid-twenties searching for her life calling. Yet, her strength and courage led her right where she was supposed to end up. She let God guide her, and after much discernment and living with different orders of sisters, she found what she called "home" with the Union of Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since then she has done numerous ministries including working in hospitals, prisons, vocation work, working with youth and many others that have positively influenced the lives of more people than she will ever know. Now, Sr. Shawna lives in a community of Presentation Sisters in Fargo, ND with her furry companion, Candy.

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Sheila Reen

Born: Ireland

Current: Nano Nagle Place, Ireland

Sr. Sheila came to the USA as part of her journey as a Presentation Sister. Like all of the sisters, she was active in numerous ministries but spent the majority of her time in the classroom teaching students. Like Nano Nagle, Sr. Sheila has a passion for teaching, especially teaching children. She was able to touch the lives of many of her students as well as her faculty and staff when she was a principal. Currently, Sr. Sheila is back in Ireland living in our community at Nano Nagle Place.

To learn more about Sr. Sheila's time as a teacher click HERE.

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Stella Olson

Current: Fargo, North Dakota

“I am a mother of four, grandmother of eight, great grandmother of two with a third on the way and now a Presentation Sister.” Before Sr. Stella’s time as a Presentation Sister she was married and created a beautiful family. Sr. Stella always had a strong devotion to her faith that helped her through difficult times in her life. After many hardships, her 24 year marriage ended in divorce. But not to worry, God had great plans for Sr. Stella and led her to the Presentation Sisters. Delicately letting her children know she was going to join the convent, it came to them as no surprise. They knew she was called to religious life and found it to be a great blessing for not only Sr. Stella, but the entire family. One of her children even said to her “Mother I understand that completely, that is who you are!” Sr. Stella explains “the journey with God is sacred and holy; and enlightening in so many ways.”

To watch a video on Sr. Stella's story click HERE.

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Vera Butler

Born: Ireland

Current: San Antonio, Texas

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Vianney Buckley

Current: San Antonio, Texas

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Winifred Harnett

Born: Ireland

Current: Huntington Beach, CA

Sr. Winifred comes from a large family, having five sisters and five brothers. Throughout her time as a Presentation Sister she spent many years of her active ministry teaching in the schools, even starting some of the first schools with Presentation Sisters in areas of California. Keeping a close relationship with her siblings, she was also able to help minister at a hospital where her brother worked. Sr. Winifred, like all the Presentation Sisters, has been a part of numerous ministries and continues to live out the mission of Nano Nagle.

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Wiona Engel

Born: Texas, USA

Current: Shaw, Mississippi

Sister Wiona Engel is the youngest of six children, born and raised in Luckenbach, Texas.  After High School at the age of 18 she entered with the Presentation Sisters in San Antonio, Texas.  She has had various ministries which included Elementary and Junior High teacher; Principal of an Elementary School, K-8th grade; Development Director for the U. S. Unit; serving on the U. S. Unit Leadership Team for 5 years, assistant Congregational Leader for 5 years, and Congregational Leader for 10 years which involved visiting all the Units of the Congregation throughout the World. Leadership was a great privilege in that one saw how the charism of Nano was alive and active all over the world.  Presently she is Co-director of a Learning Center in Shaw, Mississippi. Her guiding light and what inspired her to continue on the journey was Christ’s saying, “I am with you always” and Nano’s, “The Almighty is All Sufficient”.

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Sr. Maris Stella Korb

Sr. Maureen Nolan

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