Edition No. 59 — December 6, 2017 

2017 Villa Chance Drive

Hard Work and Generosity Bring Success

December 3, 2017

On the afternoon of December 3, 2017, sisters and staff gathered in the Auditorium at the Villa for the annual Villa Chance Drive drawing.

 

Sister Anne Myers SSJ , Congregational President, greeted everyone and sincerely thanked all the many sisters, residents, staff, associates, family and friends whose hard work make this fundraiser such a wonderful success.

 

Sister Kathleen Pales SSJ , Development Director, is very pleased with this year’s results. “I am grateful to all who helped organize the Chance Drive and keep everyone motivated throughout these many weeks. We extend a special thank you to Danielle Santacroce, Chance Drive Coordinator, and Sister Patricia Doherty SSJ , Chance Drive Coordinator at the Villa."

 

Congratulations to the winners and sellers whose names are listed below.

$10,000 Grand Prize Winner

 Sunnil Bartlett, Philadelphia, PA

$500 Prize Winners

JoAnn McNichol, Upper Black Eddy, PA

Bob & Marge Powell, Wildwood, NJ

Jeanne Doherty, Philadelphia, PA

Dave Breen, Media, PA

Susan Prendergast, Willow Grove, PA

Richard Hykes, Washington DC

Justin Roman, Warminster, PA

Pat Donaldson, Newfield, NJ

Hank Burger, Atco, NJ

Mr. and Mrs. Patton, Glenside, PA

Grand Prize Seller

  Merline Bartlett, Philadelphia, PA

Additional Sellers

Sister Cynthia Ludwick

Notre Dame Convent, Wildwood, NJ

Sister Adele Solari

Saint Anastasia Convent, Newtown Square, PA

Sister Ann Murial Ronan

Emmanuel-Nativity Community, Warminster, PA

Padre Pio Convent, Vineland, NJ

Mrs. Florence Thibault

Sister Michael Eileen Kelly

Sister Helen Frederick Miller

Pictured from life: Danielle Santacroce, Pat Doherty SSJ and Kathleen Pales SSJ

Welcome

New SSJ Associates in Mission

December 3, 2017

On Sunday, December 3, 2017, at the 10:00 AM Liturgy in the Motherhouse Chapel, Cristina Diaz, Katie Rotondo and Brandon Rotondo made their commitment as Associates in Mission.

Cristina works for the Sisters of Saint Joseph as Social Media Specialist. Brandon Rotondo is a history teacher at St. Philip Neri School in Lafayette Hill, PA. Katie O’Neill Rotondo is a therapist at a Christian behavioral health organization.

Ryan Murphy, Director of Service Learning at Chestnut Hill College, facilitated the prayer reflection and discernment for the new Associates as they participated in their orientation process.

We extend a warm welcome to our new Associates in Mission as they continue to embrace with enthusiasm the mission of unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God.

Pictured from left: Ryan Murphy, Cristina Diaz, Katie Rotondo, Brandon Rotondo and Rita Woehlcke SSJ

Photo courtesy Kerry Rusak

A Day in the Life

Sister Marie St. Leger SSJ

Saint Joseph Villa

Ten years ago Sister Marie St. Leger SSJ was living at St. Helena’s Convent in Wilmington, Delaware and ministering at Queen of Apostles Parish in Pennsville, New Jersey as Pastoral Associate. After several knee surgeries, Marie had a decision to make. “I had had knee surgery and was in and out of the hospital and then recuperating at the Villa. During that time at the Villa, I realized I just couldn’t do what I had been doing at the Parish and someone else could be doing that ministry. That is when I decided to move permanently to the Villa.”

From the very beginning, Marie has always been involved in many activities at the Villa. In fact, she reflects, “Sometimes I think I do more now than I did at the Parish! But, I really enjoy it all — I am never bored!”

Marie smiles as she recalls her first years at the Villa. “I was out almost every day accompanying sisters to their doctor appointments. Although I don’t do that anymore, I do miss it. It was a wonderful way to get to know people. I also spent a lot of time visiting the sisters, and eventually the lay residents. That really is my favorite thing to do here. I get to know so many sisters and residents and their families. Soon after I came here a sister encouraged me to become involved in the annual Chance Drive, which I did for four or five years.”

Marie is part of the Villa Liaison Committee. The committee is made up of several representatives from each floor who meet with representatives from the various departments at the Villa: Housekeeping, Dining Services, Laundry, etc., for updates and suggestions. She is also a regular lector at daily Mass.

Marie is very happy to be part of the Holy Spirit Community on the sixth floor of the Villa. “Our community gathers in the community room for evening prayer. Some of us gather two nights a week in the evening for a sharing/social gathering. We always have the option of eating upstairs in our dining room on the sixth floor or downstairs in the main dining room and I appreciate that. You get to see more people downstairs and that is a nice thing. My day moves along very quickly — sometimes too quickly. Every other week after supper about six to eight of us meet in the new lounge on the lobby floor to share The State of the Heart or discuss an article. Right now we are sharing on our Constitutions. And, it is so nice down there — the new room is beautiful.”

When asked what she would say to someone who is considering coming to live at the Villa, Marie is very thoughtful. “I would say to really consider it and look at all your options. Don’t just jump into it because someone told you it would be good for you. Talk to people who live here. There are always going to be positive and negative things about every decision, but see how you fit into that picture. If you do come, give yourself time to get settled in. Be open to activities.”

When asked if she is happy living at the Villa, Marie responds without hesitation. “Yes, I really am. I love being with people. And I find that the sisters are so happy when you do something for them and just so grateful. When I go to visit the sisters and residents, I end up meeting people I didn’t know. I also have been able to really get to know some of our long-term residents. I wish I had more time to spend getting to know others like that. And, there are so many things happening here on the daily basis. On a rare, quiet day — I love to read!”

"Our mission as Sisters of Saint Joseph flows from the purpose for which our Congregation exists. We live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another."

                                         — SSJ Constitutions #16

Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | [email protected] | http://ssjphila.org/home/