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Sister Maria Goretti, F.H.M, who served as commissioner of the archdiocesan Office of Black Ministry for 18 years, died June 29. She was 89.
She served as commissioner of the archdiocesan Office of Black Ministry, 1998-2008 and 1982-1990.
Sister Maria Goretti was congregation minister of the Harlem-based Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary for a total of 16 years.
She was director of religious education at St. Joseph-St. Thomas parish, Staten Island, 1991-1998, and Manhattan district superintendent of schools for the archdiocese, 1976-1982.
In Harlem, she also served at St. Aloysius School as principal, 1966-1976, and teacher, 1956-1958, and at All Saints Branch of Cathedral High School, 1961-1966.
She also served in North Carolina.
Born in New York City, she entered the Franciscan Handmaids of the Most Pure Heart of Mary in 1950 and professed final vows in 1958.
A graduate of Cathedral High School in Manhattan, she earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of Mount St. Vincent, the Bronx, and a master’s from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated July 7 at St. Aloysius Church. Burial was in St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries, Farmingdale.
