Edition No. 201—March 4, 2022 |
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SSJ Associates in Mission
Sharing the Charism
Saint Joseph Villa
Dorothy Rudloff, Associate in Mission
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The Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph, in Somers Point, NJ, wanted to reach out to the Sisters living at Saint Joseph Villa in Philadelphia. The final product of this mission is a monthly 8 x 11 flyer that is displayed and airs on the television network at the Villa. Each month’s flyer has a seasonal theme and includes a photograph of a baby in a seasonal setting, an eye-catching caption, a Maxim that correlates to the season and photo, and a brief prayer. It ends with greetings from the Somers Point Associates.
The project began in October with an autumn theme and has followed the holidays. January’s features the baby in a snowy setting. We intend to continue this project throughout the year.
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Dorothy Rudloff, Associate in Mission |
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Villa Zoom—Will There Ever Be a New Normal?
by Julie Gabell, SSJ Associate in Mission
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We breathed a collective sigh of relief as gradually the Villa emerged from under the dark cloud of Covid-19. The long and unexpected journey during months of pandemic uncertainty had taken us through uncharted territory and closeted us in situations both uncomfortable and frightening. It changed us.
Unwittingly, we had risen to new heights of awareness. A bit wiser now, we had come to experience a new dimension of aloneness, and learned to embrace a healthy respect for the gift of shared presence. Isolation had
lifted us to new mindfulness of one another. Our Covid challenge now was to live more fully in community. This responsibility carried with it the invitation to pray more, listen more, learn more, and be more involved in the communal search for revitalization.
Would there ever be a normal—"new” or otherwise? We wondered. And even as the world shed its masks and feigned normalcy, we somehow knew that “The Way We Were” was a song of the past. Our lives had changed, priorities had shifted, and we seemed poised on the edge of a freefall into the future.
Those of us in this post pandemic era are being called to build a future of integrity, equality, and justice. This is an opportunity for each of us to make a difference, no matter what our age or circumstance.
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The African Sisters Education Collaborative (ASEC)
Educating the Educated: First ASEC Sister to Obtain Ph.D. Improves Schools in South Sudan
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Sr. Janet Christine Kiden, MSBVM from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, was the first sister to obtain a Ph.D. through ASEC’s scholarship program. Her dissertation focused on her passion for ministry and community, by researching exactly what was needed to improve education in Africa. She published multiple articles that explored topics such as quality education and training for teachers, enhancing the quality of public secondary schools, leadership development in education and various quality assurance applications.
Through her dissertation research, completed in October of 2021, she found a severe shortage of qualified academic staff, obsolete curriculum were used, unqualified students were being admitted into universities and lecturers were only using the lecture method of teaching rather than more interactive methods. She discovered challenges in the universities’ implementation of an Internal Quality Assurance Policy, including lack of funds, infrequent audits, irregular salaries and a lack of commitment from academic staff.
Along with her discoveries, Sr. Janet provided insights to the universities to better the quality of education. She recommended a review of education programs by university authorities to ensure the relevance of education programs to societal needs. She suggested employment of more qualified lecturers, quipping libraries with updated teaching and learning resources and providing Wi-Fi to enhance the quality of teaching and learning at universities. By reviewing student recruitment and admission policies, improving infrastructure, splitting large classes to reduce size and organizing regular workshops for academic staff to continue their own education, Sr. Janet’s findings are improving the quality of undergraduate education.
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Sr. Janet Kiden is the first sister to obtain a Ph.D. through ASEC’s Scholarship Program |
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Our Celtic Golf Raffle is back in full "swing!" One lucky winner (and a plus one) will win:
Roundtrip Coach Class International flights to Shannon Ireland
Golf:
Ballybunion Golf Club – Old Course
Dooks Golf Club
Tralee Golf Club
Waterville Golf Links
Ground Transport: Self-drive car rental with automatic transmission from Hertz.
Includes unlimited mileage, collision damage waiver insurance and VAT
Hotel: Five nights in the 5* Killarney Park Hotel, located in the town of Killarney in Co. Kerry.One of the premier hotels in this picturesque town, situated on its own grounds yet centrally located within walking distance to the many shops, restaurants, and pubs.
(1-Room / Double Occupancy)
Meals: Full Irish Breakfast Daily
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Looking for Inspiration?
You can find it by clicking on images below!
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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
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