Two Dominican Sisters of Sparkill Honored with Awards

Dominican Sister of Sparkill Mary Elizabeth Mooney, OP, principal of St. John Chrysostom School in the South Bronx, is the 2018 recipient of the Founders Award at St. Thomas Aquinas College. And, Dominican Sister of Sparkill Cecilia La Pietra, OP, Executive Director of One-to-One Learning, was presented with this year’s Rockland County Outstanding Non-Profit Professional Award. Read below for more information.

Congratulations to our Sister Mary Elizabeth Mooney, recipient of the 2018 Founders Award at St. Thomas Aquinas College. Principal of St. John Chrysostom School in the South Bronx, Sister Mary Elizabeth has been a devoted educator and mentor at the school for 44 years.

Over the years Sister’s service to needy children of the South Bronx has become legendary. She has been recognized by The New York Shields of the N.Y. Police Department for her support of their work in some of the most difficult precincts in the Bronx; by St. Thomas Aquinas College Alumni Association with an induction into their Hall of Fame; by The New York Daily News when she received the Hometown Hero Educator of the Year Award; and most recently by the Archdiocesan Committee of Our Lady of the Divine Providence for her love and dedication to the families and children of the St. John Chrysostom community.

A devoted educator and mentor to generations of teachers, Sister Mary Elizabeth joyfully continues to serve the children and families of St. John Chrysostom School. Under her leadership, St. John’s, located in the poorest Congressional District in the nation, has been recognized as one of the premier Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York.

On November 8, the Rockland Development Council presented their 2018 Outstanding Non-Profit Professional Award to Sister Cecilia La Pietra, Executive Director of One-to-One Learning, for her leadership and for her commitment to working for and with marginalized people in Rockland County and beyond.

In February 1993, the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill conducted a study of the educational needs of the growing numbers of immigrant families settling in Rockland County. By 1994, an English as a Second Language program was established. As it became apparent that both numbers and needs were increasing, One to One Learning, Inc. was established in 1997 with Sr. Cecilia LaPietra as its first Executive Director. Twenty-one years later. Sr. Cecilia along with her staff and over 60 volunteer teachers and tutors offer classes in English, pre-GED, citizenship, literacy, computer skills, and a myriad of other essential skills responding to everyday needs of children and adults.