Edition No. 262—July 12, 2024

Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center 

Welcome, Maureen Cawley

Coordinator of Curriculum

As you know, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center is committed to community and education by offering opportunities for newly-arrived immigrants to improve the quality of their lives. We are thrilled to introduce our newest teammate: Maureen Cawley, who as Coordinator of Curriculum will organize our 45+ English and citizenship classes with our 55+ volunteer teachers! Read more about Maureen on the Team page of our website.

We are currently looking for new volunteer teachers. If you are interested in teaching with us (beginning in September), then please complete this interest form. We would love to welcome you or a friend as a partner in mission!

In addition, we are in need of Chromebooks and iPads with functioning cameras and microphones for our students to use for online classes. If you have old technology that you are able to donate, then please email us at WelcomeCenter728@gmail.com.

Maureen Cawley (left) with teammates Sister Pat Madden SSJ,

Sister Marian Behrle SSJ, and Rosa Murcia-Garcia

From Navaho Councils to Chapter

by Julie Gabell, Associate in Mission

Since the beginning of time, we humans have shared a primal need to interact with one another. Throughout long centuries past, individual societies have developed diverse language patterns to communicate within their own and neighboring tribes. We see this, for example, in the Navaho Nation which migrated to the Southwest around 200 A.D. Early on they formed a sophisticated tribal society by establishing Consultation Councils to spread messages throughout the existing Navaho Chapters. In our own country we are governed by Congress and a three-tiered political system that makes, monitors, and disseminates information to our own government and to the world. Whether we call it 'Congress,' 'Assembly,' 'Chapter,' or 'Council,' similar bodies are essential for efficient functioning of any group.

Following this time-tested method of governing, the Sisters of Saint Joseph recently embarked on a significant leadership experience of their own—Chapter 2024. Guided by the Spirit and committed to Thinking Deeply and Loving Courageously, Chapter delegates gathered to discern God’s plan for them into the future. This discernment process underscored a communal call for ongoing personal formation, a deepening of the SSJ charism, and care for the Earth.

Today, when the world seems at odds with itself, it can well take to heart the sincerity of those who strive for candid communication and honest dialogue. Only when the “tribes” of the world join hands and work together toward a common goal can we hope to achieve patterns of life that lead to a common good.

SSJ Associate Consultation 2024

By Dannah Addalli, Associate in Mission

Program Coordinator

Associate Consultation 2024 continued this past Spring as Associates in Mission and sisters attended regional gatherings that took place between mid-April and mid-May. Kerry Rusak and Dannah Addalli met with associates in Cape May, NJ, Bel Mawr, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, York, PA, Flourtown, PA and virtually on Zoom. 

Associate in Mission and Consultation Facilitator, Donna Mehle, along with the Consultation Planning Committee, worked to collate the Fall Regional Gathering responses and to create and prepare the materials used for the Spring Regional Gatherings.

Associates in Mission gathered to pray, listen, reflect, and to share. What a wonderful opportunity to create sacred space together for continued discernment and conversation as we move from the "I" to the "We" in service to the greater good of the whole Associate body. We continue the journey of our 2024 Associate Consultation and look forward to our final gathering in September.

"We, SSJ Associates in Mission, are aware of God's urgent longing for our mission of unioning love to transform the world in our times..."

(Associate in Mission 2019 Direction Statement)

Flourtown, Pa

Zoom meeting

York, Pa

Zoom meeting

Cape May, NJ

Belmar, NJ

Sister Kathleen Rooney SSJ

Joins the God Minute Team

Sister Kathleen Rooney SSJ

Sister Kathleen pictured with her sisters.

From left: Lynn, Kathy and Gerry

Spirits on Fire Program 2024-2025

By Margaret Fox-Tully

In May, seven lay leaders from the SSJ Philadelphia Congregation joined with 28 other lay ministers from CSSJ Congregations across the United States to be immersed in the history, traditions, charism, and mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. This is the seventh group of partners in mission from Philadelphia to participate in the program, which was launched in 2016. Sister Dolores Clerico, SSJ is one of the presenters who lead the program, along with other Sisters and laity from CSSJ congregations. 

The members of Cohort 7 traveled to the Carmelite Retreat Center in suburban Chicago and will spend the next year in a series of activities to enrich and enhance their experience, and they’ll reunite in Chicago next May for a concluding session. This year-long immersion enables participants to continuously deepen their commitment to the mission as they advance in their ministries. 

The seven participants offered the following reflections on their initial experience:

Spirits on Fire was a fantastic opportunity as I was able to focus more intently on the charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and reflect on new ways to incorporate the mission into our work at NFA. I really enjoyed getting to know all my colleagues from all over the US, and seeing firsthand the impact that our mission has on so many!

      Patrick McKenzie

Director of Mission & Ministry

Norwood-Fontbonne Academy

Spirits on Fire provided a rich, caring, supportive environment where each participant was invited to explore the charism and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. I was able to deeply contemplate the call that has been placed on my heart through a deeper understanding of this mission.  

     Nancy Kurtz

Executive Administrator of Operations

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia

I am thrilled to be a part of Spirit on Fire, cohort seven. For me, SOF offers an opportunity to personally connect with the mission, charism, and founding principles of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. More importantly, it allows me to understand how I can integrate this mission into my personal life as a father and husband, as well as with my team at Chestnut Hill College. We all have the wonderful gift and opportunity of serving ‘the dear neighbor without distinction’.

       Ryan Burton-Romero

VP for Enrollment & Communications

Chestnut Hill College

It's not very often that I hear someone tell me to focus on being rather than doing. At Spirits on Fire, I loved having the time and space to be myself and connect personally with the SSJ mission on a deeper level. The focus on being also facilitated new relationships with other partners in mission. I left feeling refreshed, inspired, and absolutely on fire for the mission and work of the SSJ. 

      Shayna Landis-Bell

Residence Director

SSJ Newcomer Housing Alliance

Spirits on Fire was truly a gift! It allowed me to step away completely from my daily responsibilities and fully immerse myself in the Charism, deepen my understanding of our Mission, and think of ways to strengthen my personal and Villa-based Ministry, on a daily basis.  It was the essence of a line from the Closing Blessing for One Another…. “May your soul calm, console and renew you.” 

It was also wonderful to meet not only everyone from the various Sponsored Works throughout the country, but to get to know the Partners in Mission right here in the Philadelphia region who were new friends I had not yet met.

      Nancy Mandes

Controller

Saint Joseph Villa

I’m so grateful that I was able to participate in the Spirits on Fire program at the start of my tenure with the Congregation. It was a great experience in every way – I learned a lot, got to know our six Philadelphia colleagues better, met 30 other amazing people from all over the country, enjoyed getting to know the coordinators on the panel, especially Sister Dolores Clerico SSJ (her presentations were the best!). It was a wonderful way to begin my work and a fantastic opportunity to deepen my connection to the spirituality and charism of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

     Margaret Fox-Tully

Coordinator of Sponsorship

Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia

Pictured from left: Barry Ross, Margaret Fox-Tully, Patrice Swick, Renee Schultz and Jeremiah Ortiz

Pictured front row, from left: Jane Boulet, Nancy Kurtz and Kelsey Strode

Pictured back row, from left: Laurel Krill, Stephanie Hall and Harrison Trubitt

Pictured front row, from left: Ryan Burton-Romero, Shayna Bell

and Patrick McKenzie

Pictured back row, from left: Dolores Clerico SSJ, Nancy Kurtz,

Nancy Mandes, Joao “John” Gomes and Margaret Fox-Tully

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