ENEWS 300 March 12, 2026

SSJ Welcome Center

Policy Updates and Actions

Celia Patterson 

Coordinator of Communications and Events

At the Welcome Center, we strive to keep our partners in mission informed about policy updates and actions that intersect our work with the immigrant community of Philadelphia. To some, these updates may seem disconnected from our day-to-day programs in Kensington. However, both local and national policies and actions that impact our immigrant friends are inherently connected to our mission and to our commitment to accompany every dear neighbor without distinction. We wanted to share with our community a message from our director, Olivia Sharkey, about the way in which our faith and mission compel our advocacy: facebook.com/share/r/1DgS21kd9e

If this message resonates with you and you want to further learn, we invite you to follow us on Facebook where you can stay up to date on our work and the issues facing our immigrant neighbors: facebook.com/thessjwelcomecenter. If you are interested in opportunities to help us sustain our community and programs, we would be very grateful if you would consider becoming a sponsor of our 2026 Golf Outing.

Find out more here about how you can be involved: tinyurl.com/4nf38sx4

Beyond the Habit Podcast

Season 8

In the first episode of Season Eight, Sisters Erin and Colleen interview Jesuit priest and author, Father James Martin, SJ. They discuss his path to becoming a Jesuit, how God can work through everyone’s lives, and his new book, Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest. 

Listen today, at beyondthehabitpod.com or wherever you get your podcasts!

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy 

International Women's Day

In celebration of International Women's Day, Norwood-Fontbonne Academy would like to honor the Sisters of Saint Joseph. NFA has been a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Saint Joseph since 1920. As a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph, NFA daily furthers the SSJ mission “to live and work so that all people may be united with God and one another.”

As the lace is still unfinished, as the Sisters would say, our work here is still not done. As partners in mission today, we walk in the footsteps of our founders with grace and gratitude.

#InternationalWomensDay #AllMayBeOne #ReadyForAnyGoodWork

2026 Love Boldly

Lenten Calendar 

Our Love Boldly Lenten Calendar offers a short daily reflection inspired by Scripture and the call to live with compassion, justice, and love.

One day. One reflection. One small act of love at a time. #LoveBoldly

You can download or print a standard-size document here or an 11x17 document here. 

Mount Saint Joseph Academy 

Sister Marjorie Lawless SSJ

Crafted Cards and Lavender Sachets

Handmade with love! The Environmental Service Team and Sister Marjorie Lawless crafted cards and lavender sachets for the Sisters of Saint Joseph at Saint Joseph Villa, using lavender harvested from our hydroponic garden. 

This beautiful act of care reflects our commitment to community and creation—values at the heart of Eco Philly, the Creation Care Network in the Catholic Church of Philadelphia, of which Sister Marjorie and the Mount are proud members. 

#SSJ #EnvironmentalService #FutureFounders #StudentLife #CatholicEducation#CatholicSchool #MSJA

Cape May Point Arts and Science Center

Honoring the Vision, Compassion, and Leadership of the Sisters of Saint Joseph

For more than a century, the Sisters of Saint Joseph have been pillars of education, environmental stewardship, and community in Cape May Point.

During World War II, these remarkable women opened their doors to those in need, offering refuge, care, and support during a time of global uncertainty.

Today, their legacy lives on through the Cape May Point Arts & Science Center—a space dedicated to learning, creativity, and sustainability.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the vision, compassion, and leadership of these extraordinary women whose impact continues to shape our community for generations to come. 

#womenshistorymonth

Prayer Service 

Honoring Women in the Church 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Sisters and staff at the Motherhouse gathered in the Medaille Room on March 11, 2026, to give thanks for the women who have come before us, those who share our faith and those who will continue to build the Church in the future.

Three inspirational and outstanding women were recognized during the service: Sister Thea Bowman, FSPA, Sister Dorothy Stang, SNDdeN and Dorothy Day.

Through her gifts of preaching, music, and teaching, and with boldness and grace, Sister Thea challenged Catholics to confront racism while encouraging her African American brothers and sisters to embrace and share their “fully functioning” personhood.

Sister Dorothy served as a missionary in Brazil with the families of landless peasants for over 40 years. Because of her work for justice and the preservation of the Amazon Forest, she was martyred for her faith on February 12, 2005, in Anapuy, Para, a section of the Amazon.

Dorothy Day experienced an astounding conversion from atheism to Catholicism when she was 30 years old. Day’s conversion gave new meaning to her quest for social justice. Along with Peter Maurin, Day co-founded the Catholic Worker newspaper in 1933. The newspaper launched a movement that grew to comprise soup kitchens, group homes called “houses of hospitality” and farming communities all over the world.

We give thanks for these women who reflect the love and mercy of God, uplifting and guiding others with grace and courage.

Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | cpollock@ssjphila.org | https://ssjphila.org/