ASEC: Our Team

Sr. Theresa Marie Firenze, MS, OSF

Areas of Expertise: education leadership, collaboration

Sister Theresa Marie Firenze, OSF, was elected congregational minister of the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia in May, 2021 and serves on the ASEC Board of Directors.

Born in Nyack, New York, Sister Theresa entered the Franciscan Sisters of Ringwood in 1973 and was professed in 1976. The Ringwood Franciscans merged with the Sisters of St. Francis in 2003, a merger which she helped to facilitate. Prior to her role in leadership, Sister Theresa served as a caregiver, a tutor, and a spiritual director in New Jersey. As a principal for 25 years at St. Catherine of Bologna School in Ringwood, she put people first and harvested positive results. She became one of three principals to be first in the U.S. to lead a school to obtain its STEM certification. She was also named to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.

Her previous ministry also includes being administrator of St. Joseph Residence in Ringwood—a position that necessitated being organizationally astute and able to collaborate with many individuals and organizations with compassion.

She holds a B.A. in education from St. Peter’s University and an M.S. in religion and religious education from Fordham University.

When asked how she feels to be entering into leadership for the congregation, Sister Theresa responded,

“I trust that I will know what God is asking of me and God’s Providence will take care of the rest. ‘No risk, No gain!’”

ASEC Partnership with Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia is one of ASEC's eight founding institutions and is associated with Neumann University.