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Edition No. 11   June 15, 2016

­Our Mother of Sorrows School Closes

The Sisters of Saint Joseph arrived at Our Mother of Sorrows School (OMS) in West Philadelphia in 1878. Families have relied on Our Mother of Sorrows to help their children reach their God-given potential for the last 138 years. Hundreds of students, teachers, parents and administrators have walked the halls, filled the classrooms, participated in academic and sports teams and established loving and lasting relationships at the school on 48th Street.

Typically, the last day of school each academic year brings big smiles from students and teachers alike. This year, however, is bittersweet for the OMS community. The upper grade students are moving over to the OMS/St. Ignatius campus at 617 N. 43rd Street for the 2016-2017 school year.

Sister Owen Patricia Bonner SSJ invited all of the OMS alums, administrators and teachers to the final closing prayer service on Thursday, June 9, 2016 in Our Mother of Sorrows Church. “We stand on the shoulders of the many, many students, teachers and administrators who have come before us. We would like to celebrate the closing of this sacred place as we move into other sacred spaces. Let’s fill the church with prayers, stories, memories and hope.”

Father Joseph Okonski, former pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows Parish, reflected: “When we are faced with a closing such as this, we could sometimes lose hope. At Our Mother of Sorrows/St. Ignatius School we still have a mission. The mission is alive. We can’t lose our dreams or just live on our memories. Our memories are important and they bring us great comfort and joy. But we must continue to move forward. We must continue to hold onto our mission and dream. We must continue to build and create – maybe in a different way ­– but we don’t give up. We continue to have hope and to know our mission: to provide a faith based, quality education in a healthy, respectful, caring environment. Academically and socially we help develop the whole child to meet the challenges of a global society.”

Thirteen years ago Sister Owen was appointed as Administrator of both campuses. At the close of the prayer service, she expressed her gratitude. “What I think of when I look back over these past 13 years is how welcoming everyone was to us: school students, parents and parishioners. What a joy it has been to be here. I am so grateful to the parents who have entrusted their children to us and for all the ways they have supported us in those 13 years. I am so very grateful."

Click to watch the Praise Dance


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From left: Clare Halloran SSJ, Kathy McGowan SSJ, Pat Egan SSJ, Maureen Patricia Walsh SSJ, Margaret Jude Sullivan SSJ and Catherine Gerald Kelly SSJ 



Pictured from left:
Clare Halloran SSJ, Catherine Gerald Kelly SSJ, Rosanne Orchon SSJ, Sheila Murray SSJ and
Dot Urban SSJ
Owen Patricia Bonner SSJ
Pictured from left: Adinia Bailey and
Melissa Roberts
From left: Catherine Gerald Kelly SSJ, Owen  Patricia Bonner SSJ, Dot Urban SSJ and Sheila Murray SSJ.
Pat Brown
Welcome

We extend a warm welcome to Kerry Rusak who will be joining the Associates in Mission Staff as of August 1, 2016, as Program Coordinator.

The Program Coordinator for the Associates in Mission for the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, in collaboration with the Congregation and Advisory Board, is entrusted with assisting in the management and maintenance of strengthening and supporting the Associate in Mission program. This includes but in not limited to, managing all tasks needed for the administration and coordination of the on-going development of Associate relationships.

Kerry has been employed at Chestnut Hill College, is a member of the associate group at the
College and served as a member of the Associate in Mission Board. She is imbued with the spirit of our mission and will be a welcome addition to the staff.

Welcome aboard, Kerry!
Time for Summer Treats!
Mr. Softie Visits Saint Joseph Villa
“Our infirm and elderly sisters are a blessing in our community life. They continue to share their experience of God and ministry. We show loving concern for them by our presence and by our attentiveness to their needs.”

— SSJ Constitutions #54
Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | cpollock@ssjphila.org | http://ssjphila.org/new/