Edition No. 217—October 6, 2022 

Villa Zoom—Embracing the Unknown

Julie Gabell, SSJ Associate in Mission

This entry is dedicated to those who have recently made Saint Joseph Villa their home.

Moving to the Villa can be daunting. It is not that the environment isn’t pleasant or that the people are unfriendly. It is just the picking up, letting loose, and facing uncertainty that gets to us. Each one of us has faced such uncertainty in one way or another.

There was a time when moving to Saint Joseph Villa meant the “end of the line.” Not so much anymore—though we are all waiting for that final curtain call. Rather, this transition is stepping into a space of reflection, peace, and preparation—shared with others who can relate to the experience. How fortunate to be well fed, cared for, and surrounded by those who have the same basic dreams and aspirations. How blessed to be housed in the “house of Joseph!”

Think of it. There are friends here and the opportunity to make new ones. There are chances to pray and work together, to share happy times and to grieve as one when we are sad. We come to know that Illness does not have to be a solitary journey; there is always someone to listen and understand.

Well, it is for all of us, no matter our age, health, or mental disposition, to ponder where we come from, what we have, and where we are going. There’s no getting around the experience of aging, but it doesn’t have to be a downer. The Villa can provide a happy and productive way of life. It just takes working at it.

Here in Flourtown, we have the chance to live out the promised hundredfold amid lovely surroundings and a wealth of natural amenities. The Villa provides untold opportunities to be ONE WITH the other, the environment, and our Creator God, Who blesses us so mightily. In this way, it provides a transformative passage to whatever awaits us in the unknown future.

Swing for the Sisters 

14^th Annual Golf Tournament 

Flatbush Golf Course, Littlestown, PA

September 24, 2022

Our grand finale, Swing for the Sisters Annual Golf Tournament to benefit Saint Joseph Villa was, indeed, as grand as could be! With beautiful weather and a course full of golfers, the event was a hugh success, and we are so grateful to the Great God of the Fairways and to everyone involved.

This event raised $16,400.00 for Saint Joseph Villa. Many thanks to the wonderful staff at Flatbush, to the hard-working sisters on the Planning Committee, the volunteers, sponsors, golfers and to Nicole Schlein, Events Coordinator for our Office of Development. 

What amazing support and friendship our dear neighbors in the McSherrystown area have always given us!

SSJ Associates in Mission

Giving Heart to our Mission of Unity 

Carol Ellis, Associate in Mission

Associate in Mission, Carol Ellis, from Maple Shade, New Jersey, shares how she is living the mission and sharing the charism with the dear neighbor through her gift of creativity.

“The SSJ Neighborhood Center is in the Cramer Hill section of Camden, NJ. SSJ’s rent space from the Christus Lutheran Church. I was asked by Sister Bonnie McMenamin SSJ to create an outside mural. The outdoor space where the mural is, used to be a garage and is located between the center and the church. I worked with Sister Bonnie to come up with a design that blended the work that the center does with the neighbors whom they serve. I also wanted to respect what the Lutheran Church is about.

The background blue color was painted by neighborhood children and a family. My goal was to show God’s inclusive love for all people, and also show the many hard-working hands that make that happen with the gift of the spirit. Then—how those lives are transformed.

I found great joy to share my gift from God to help reflect what happens on the inside of this building out to our Camden neighbors. May the positive message it reflects help bring God closer to all.”

"...We are committed to caring for Earth and working for justice, so that all people are treated with dignity and respect."

We are living documents: Synod reports and a Spirit-led church



by Colleen Gibson SSJ

Reprinted by permission from Global Sisters Report

Read Sister Colleen Gibson SSJ’s lates article in the Global Sisters Report:

While the oneness we Catholics proclaim may be a hard-forged unity, the national synthesis offers hope that even if it is not a full reality, unity is desired by people on all sides of the ecclesial aisle.

Click here to read Sister Colleen’s article

Sister Paula Napoli SSJ

Honored as the Catholic Woman of the Year

Philadelphia Chapter of the Knights of Columbus

Congratulations to Sister Paula Napoli SSJ who was honored as the Catholic Woman of the Year by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Sister Paula received this honor for all her extraordinary service as a woman religious. Sister Paula goes above and beyond in her service to others. 

The celebration included an afternoon luncheon, awards and dancing at Twining Hall in Trevose, PA.

Sister Paula expressed her gratitude for this distinguished honor. “I am humbled to be with you today and to be honored as Catholic Woman of the Year. Faith has always been God's greatest gift to me, and I am grateful for all those who have enriched my life by sharing their faith with me throughout the years. I pray for each of you and for our world, that all may be rooted in faith and be living examples of kindness and compassion toward all, especially the most vulnerable. May God bless you.”

Congratulations, Paula, for this well-deserved recognition.

Sister Paula receiving her award from the current president of the Knights of Columbus.

The staff of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Warminster, Pa., with whom Sister Paula works, with join in congratulating her.

Sister Paula with her award and flowers.

One With Magazine: Year Of Saint Joseph

Edition Recognized for Outstanding Achievement in Print Media

Congratulations to Cecilia Rupell, Sister Carole Pollock SSJ and Cristina Diaz Achuff, the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia Communications Team, for their work on ONE WITH Magazine: Year of Saint Joseph edition. Each member of the Communications Team received an award recognizing ONE WITH Magazine: Year of Saint Joseph. The award was presented by Communicators of Women Religious at their annual conference.

Cecilia Rupell accepts award on behalf of SSJ Communications Team.