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Edition No. 178—July 1, 2021 
Carlos Salazar: Retirement Celebration
Mount Saint Joseph Convent
June 25, 2021
The Motherhouse community and staff joined Carlos and his family on June 25, 2021, in the Convent dining room to thank Carlos for his 50 years of loving service to the Sisters of Saint Joseph.

Sister Maureen G. Erdlen SSJ, Congregational President, welcomed everyone gathered in the dining room and offered a prayer of blessing for Carlos, who has been a blessing to us for so many years. 

“Loving God, we know you are with Carlos as he begins this next part of his life. After his 50 years of service to us, we look back on all he has done with great joy and appreciation. We ask that you keep him safe and healthy so that he can enjoy many years of happy retirement. Carlos, now is the time to enjoy rest and relaxation—no more trudging up the hill in heat, rain, storms or snow.

May God reward you for your goodness to us. May God’s love always surround you and your family, and may you always have a smile on your face when you think of us. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Sister Anne Myers SSJ could not attend the celebration but sent a letter to Carlos, her favorite “Phillie.” Carlos is an avid and dedicated Phillie fan. The letter reads in part: For more than 50 years, you have stayed in the game at Mount Saint Joseph Convent. You have been ever faithful! with great conscientiousness. 

Throughout the years, you thoroughly acquainted yourself with all the players on the home team of Mount Saint Joseph Convent, getting to know our customs and special days, including Founders’ Day and Saint Joseph’s Day. You have been here through many changes, including the first and second renovations of the dining room and seeing your fellow players switch from long black uniforms to more modern ones. You always took great care of your work areas, including the front porch, keeping our home field in tip-top shape. 

Carlos, you have given your best, worked hard, and have been outstanding. Today, I join with the entire team of the Sisters of Saint Joseph to applaud you for a job well done. You have made your family proud! YOU-- will always be part of our Hall of Fame!!
Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating with Carlos, who will always be in our hearts and prayers.
The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) 
Educating Women Religious in Africa
The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC) was established in 1999 by four Catholic universities and their congregations: the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill College), the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scranton (Marywood University), the Sisters of Saint Francis of Philadelphia (Neumann University) and the Society of the Holy Child Jesus (Rosemont College). ASEC’s mission is to facilitate access to education for women religious in Africa that leads to enhancement and expansion of the education, health, economic, social, environmental and spiritual services they provide. Catholic Sisters dedicate their lives to service. They work tirelessly to improve the conditions of their congregations and communities. But many African Sisters simply don’t have the opportunity to learn new skills. They lack the education and resources to carry out their important work. In fact, of the 40,000 Sisters in the region ASEC serves, 71% have no higher education credentials. ASEC is changing that statistic. Learn how the organization is working to collaborate, develop and deliver educational programs that strengthen the capacity of women religious in 10 sub-Saharan African countries by visiting http://www.asec-sldi.org. Read how ASEC is cultivating meaningful change through mentorship at https://mailchi.mp/asec-sldi/mentor?e=937536cfc5.
Motherhouse Community
Thank You and Best Wishes
Residents and staff of the Motherhouse Community came together on June 29, 2021 to extend a prayer of thanks and well wishes to Sisters Mary Elizabeth Clark, Pat Gannon and Kathy Anderson on their retirement from their current community positions. 

We are so grateful for Kathy, Mary Elizabeth and Pat for their ministry of service to the Congregation.
Pictured from left: Pat Gannon SSJ, Ellen Poist SSJ, Mary Lindsay SSJ and
Ruth O'Neill SSJ
Pictured from left: Margaret Mary Smith SSJ, Michelle Lesher SSJ,
Owen Patricia Bonner SSJ and Kathy Anderson SSJ
Pictured from left: Mary Elizabeth Clark SSJ, Barbara Bradley SSJ,
Joanne Fehrenbach SSJ and Mary Mannion SSJ
SSJ Welcome Center
Opportunities for Volunteer
Have you been thinking about volunteering at the SSJ Welcome Center? Click into the link and answer a few questions and someone from the Center will be in touch regarding the wonderful opportunities awaiting YOU! 
Sister Lisa Breslin SSJ 
Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls
Hall of Fame
On May 26,2021

Jeanne McGowan SSJ
On May 26,2021, Sister Lisa Breslin SSJ was inducted into the Saint Hubert Catholic High School for Girls Hall of Fame. It states in the history of the Hall of Fame that to be a member, one must achieve excellence in their academic and professional careers while also exhibiting the virtues instilled in them as students at Saint Hubert—to become women of faith and integrity. It also states that to receive this award, your accomplishments must contribute to making a difference in the lives of others. 

Those of us who know Lisa know that no matter what she is doing Lisa has made a difference in lives of so many. Lisa received the Catholic Witness Ward. They acknowledged Lisa’s sense of duty in all she has done. Lisa herself said that she never thought that her service to God would include such diverse and varied experiences from her role as teacher in elementary school to Dean of Students at Chestnut Hill College. 

Lisa is currently working at Saint Mary’s Residence where she provides  safe and healthy housing for low-income elderly women. In Lisa’s own words, “I decided early on to try to follow God’s promptings and I have no regrets. What I’ve learned over the years is that I don’t need to plan, with God I just go to the next clarity and the next right thing.”

Congratulations, Lisa!
Pictured from left: Jeanne McGowan SSJ, Cathy McGowan SSJ, Cathie Meighan SSJ and Lisa Breslin SSJ
Saint Joseph Villa
Enjoying Mr. Softee Ice Cream
and Music Therapy Outside
Friday, June 25, 2021 was Mr. Softee Day at Saint Joseph Villa! To celebrate Saint Joseph Villa's 53rd anniversary, sisters, residents and staff enjoyed some ice cream. 

It was also the perfect day to conduct music therapy our on the patio with Brooke.
Music therapy our on the patio with Brooke.
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"With the help of God's grace and in fidelity to our founder's expressed wish, we live and work lovingly among all persons with a special preference for those who are poor, which calls us wherever we are to be in union with them."
                         — SSJ Constitutions #21
Editor, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ | 215.248.7269 | cpollock@ssjphila.org |http://ssjphila.org/home/