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Edition No. 77 — September 17, 2018 
Women’s Wellness Weekend 
Saint Mary by-the-Sea, Cape May, NJ
September 7-9, 2018
By Kathleen Pales SSJ
Eager to learn about enhancing one’s wellness of mind, body, and spirit, 70 women gathered at Saint Mary by-the-Sea in Cape May Point, NJ for our 19 th Women’s Wellness Weekend, sponsored by the SSJ Development Office, September 7-9, 2018. 

Though the weather was rainy, the participants thoroughly enjoyed the keynote address by Sister Dolores Clerico SSJ in which she encouraged everyone to think of gardening as a metaphor for the spiritual life.

Workshops on managing stress, learning about the Enneagram, osteoporosis prevention, mind/body wisdom, creative writing, and other wellness related topics were offered. The weekend included exercise on the beach each morning, healthy meals, opportunities for massage and vibrational sound therapy, Mass and evening socials. Winners of the many raffle baskets were drawn during the Saturday night social, where the theme was Mexican Fiesta.

Several comments from participants acknowledge how meaningful and inspirational these weekends are: 
 
I love coming for these weekends because the atmosphere is warm and welcoming.

This weekend is excellent in every way.

This weekend means more to me than I can put into words. Don’t change a thing!

I know that your mission is uniting people with people and people with God. You certainly accomplish it here at Women’s Wellness Weekend! We all benefit, and we take what we experience back home with us.

Many of the participants return to Saint Mary’s for other retreats and/or to do volunteer work during the summer. All of the women who attend these weekends learn more about the Sisters of Saint Joseph, our mission and our ministries. Some have gone on to become Associates in Mission, and many become regular donors. 

A dedicated planning committee led by Catrese Brown prepares a weekend in June and one in September every year. All presenters are volunteers. Nicole Schlein, Events Coordinator for the SSJ Development Office, manages all the work done ahead of time by the planning committee, Saint Mary’s staff and the Development Office. The $14,000 raised at the weekend will go to the support of Saint Joseph Villa.
The Venella and Kent family have been attending WWW for eleven years!
Pictured from left: Nicole Schlein, Events Coordinator for the SSJ Development Office and Kathleen Pales SSJ, Development Director
Women's Wellness Weekend Committee:
Standing, from left: Jessica Lewis, Monica Rodan, Elaine Brownhill and Lesli Linn
Seated, from left: Kathleen Pales SSJ, Sharon Veet, Mary Anne Williams, Eleanor Matthews
and Bonnie Kozemchak
Front, from left: Catrese Brown (WWW committee chair) and Nicole Schlein
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR !
Commissioning of Leadership
and Renewal of Commitment
Saint Joseph Villa
September 12, 2018
Wednesday, September 12, 2018 marked another beginning and a special occasion at Saint Joseph Villa — the welcoming and commissioning of the first President of Saint Joseph Villa,  Sister Irene Dunn SSJ.

Before Liturgy residents and staff gathered in the Chapel to commission Sister Irene in her new ministry as President and ask God’s blessing upon her. Sister Irene promised:  I accept my responsibility of leadership at Saint Joseph Villa and will strive to make our mission, vision and values a lived reality. The entire Villa leadership team then renewed their commitment to join Sister Irene in the responsibility of leading Saint Joseph Villa in the fulfillment of its mission.

We ask God’s blessings on Sister Irene and the administrative staff at Saint Joseph Villa as they lead us into the future.
Pictured from left: Irene Dunn SSJ, President of Saint Joseph Villa and
Dottie Apprich SSJ, Executive Director of Saint Joseph Villa
Saint Joseph Villa choir and musicians
Pictured from left: Dottie Apprich SSJ, Irene Dunn SSJ, Anne Myers SSJ and Eileen Marnien SSJ
"Rooted in the mission of Christ, ours is the same mission which continually unfolds in the Church, 'That all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you. I pray that they may be one in us.' (Jn 17:21)."
                                        — SSJ Constitutions #17
Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | cpollock@ssjphila.org | http://ssjphila.org/home/