A Tradition of Keeping the Voice of God Alive

1775
Nano Nagle, a daughter of Ireland who lived under the oppressive Penal Laws of England, established a religious community in Cork, Ireland. This community later became known as the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

1784
Nano Nagle died at South Presentation Convent in Cork, Ireland.

1874
In response to an invitation from Bishop Hennessy of Dubuque, IA, Mother Vincent Hennessy, accompanied by three young women, left Mooncoin, Ireland to establish a Presentationcongregation inDubuque. Arriving early with no convent available, the sisters settled in Key West, IA.

1875
The convent parlors in Key West became the classrooms of the sisters’ first school. Twenty pupils answered roll on the first day of class. The following September the enrollment swelled to 80.

1876
Within a year the congregation had grown from four to seven sisters. On September 12, three sisters were assigned to their first mission at St. Malachi parish in Dubuque, later known as St. Anthony parish and school. Since 1876, Presentation sisters have served in 55 locations in the Archdiocese of Dubuque.

1879
The sisters built a boarding school in Dubuque known as St. Vincent Academy where twelve sisters were assigned. Later this academy became part of St. Columbkille parish.

1880
Soon after Mother Vincent and the sisters moved into St. Vincent Academy, she contracted pneumonia due to the incomplete construction of the building and later died. Mother Vincent’s death was a devastating blow to the young and fragile community.

1887
Despite the difficult loss of their foundress, the young community continued to grow through the grace of God. As the community flourished, sisters were missioned to Danbury, IA. Since 1887, sisters served in 22 parishes and schools in what today is known as the diocese of Sioux City.

1903
The first Presentation mission outside the state of Iowa was in Nebraska. The school where the sisters taught was located in Madison, NE.

1909
The sisters moved from St. Vincent Academy to a motherhouse which they built at 1229 Mount Loretta Avenue. Sixty years later this motherhouse became the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center of Dubuque.

1919
The first Presentation missions in the state of Colorado were in the cities of Stratton and Akron. Sisters were also missioned to Timber Lake in the diocese of Rapid City, SD, where they served in the school for 59 years.

1930
During the depression of the 1930s, the sisters did not open any new schools. Some schools were temporarily closed. In many of the schools that remained open, the parishes were unable to pay any salaries. During those lean years, the music teachers were often paid with eggs, milk, meat and garden produce for giving private music lessons. Their labors sustained the sisters and left a powerful legacy of service for the community.

1940
Sisters Mary Paschal Cunningham, Albia O’Brien, Eunice Kane and Honora Sullivan began the community’s first religious education program. This program in Monticello, MN, was the community’s first presence in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

1963
The Sisters of the Presentation of Oregon, IL, joined the Sisters of the Presentation of Dubuque to form one congregation.

1964
The new parish and school named St. Germaine, located in Oak Lawn, IL, was the first mission of the community to serve in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

1965
With the promulgation of the Documents of Vatican II, renewal in religious life was visible in the expansion of ministries, changes in lifestyle and modifications of the religious garb.

1969
The sisters moved to a new motherhouse at 2360 Carter Road. This home, known as Mount Loretto, is the center for the administrative offices, the retired and infirmed sisters and the formation programs.

1972
With the call of Pope Paul VI asking religious congregations to send ten per cent of their members to serve in foreign missions, the Presentation sisters responded whole-heartedly by missioning sisters to serve those made poor in southern Bolivia. Sisters continue to serve there today.

1979
Because of the educational discrimination experienced by many in the African-American community, Presentation sisters began ministering in schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago that served this population. Today, this ministry not only continues but has expanded.

1980
Dedicated to the value of faith formation, the sisters utilized their skills and reached out to young adults. They began their work as college campus ministers in 1980 and are still present in this ministry today.

1981
With a strong desire to serve the needs of the poor wherever they may be, the sisters were drawn to serve in the Hispanic and migrant communities. The first Presentation mission in the United States was at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish and school in the Archdiocese of Chicago.

1988
Presentation sisters from around the world united to create the International Presentation Association which works for world-wide justice and supports a non-governmental organization at the United Nations.

1990
Sisters served in Guatemala for ten years. They were involved in education, preparing catechists
and church lay leaders, and helping organize those who were involved in local community improvements.

1991
Retreat ministry began in Buffalo, MN, at Christ the King Retreat Center. Today, this ministry continues in various locations.

1992
Through a process of discernment, the community set its focus and direction into the next decade by committing their energy and resources toward empowering women and children.

1994
The community offered spiritual comfort by reaching out to those imprisoned. Prison ministry began in Marianna, FL. Today, this ministry is located in Rochester, MN.

1996
Over the next years, as needs arose, individual sisters came forth to serve in varied works and locations. They brought hope and joy to many places, including the Lakota people on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Tanzanians in Africa, service in food pantries in Chicago and Dubuque and in numerous roles of peace and justice.

1998
Nurturing a mutual and supportive relationship with Christian laity, the Presentation sisters began the associate process. Together, the sisters and laity foster the charism of Nano Nagle.

2000
Addressing the unmet need for transitional housing for women and children in Dubuque, Presentation sisters partnered with other religious congregations in the area to establish Maria House.

2002
The Sisters of the Presentation sponsor the Presentation Lantern Center, located in Dubuque. This center offers hospitality, educational opportunities and advocacy to women and their children. The doors opened on November 13, the anniversary of the founding of the Dubuque Presentation community. Sister Corine Murray was named the first executive director of the center.

2003
In a total community vote, the sisters took their first corporate stance to embrace the Earth Charter. By this action, the sisters committed themselves to help create a sustainable global society founded on the principles of respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace.

2004
Thirty-two years after ministry began in Bolivia, young women desiring to enter the Presentation community were captivated by the spirit of Nano Nagle. A formation program was established in order to welcome Bolivian women.

2005
New Orleans, LA, is the site of a collaborative ministry project of the North American Presentation Sisters. These sisters, from different Presentation communities, are ministering to the poor and most needy.

2006
Unemployment and wages too low to afford enough food, are among the main reasons that people seek help from shelters and soup kitchens. Recognizing these critical needs of the homeless in Dubuque, Presentation sisters, in collaboration with other women religious, corporate sponsors and private citizens, opened Teresa Shelter, an emergency shelter for women and their children.

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