Edition No. 105 — September 30, 2019
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Perpetual Profession of Vows
Sister Colleen Michelle Gibson SSJ
September 15, 2019
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Humble in Spirit
Faithful to Grace
Committed to the More
One in Love
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The Sisters of Saint Joseph celebrated the Rite of Perpetual Profession of
Sister Colleen Michelle Gibson SSJ
on September 15, 2019. The celebration of Eucharist and the Perpetual Profession of Vows took place at Mount Saint Joseph Convent Chapel.
Sister Eileen Marnien SSJ
warmly welcomed everyone to the ceremony: “Today we give thanks that Colleen has found a home with the Sisters of Saint Joseph and we rejoice as she generously and publicly responds to God’s invitation to embrace our mission and to live the Gospel.”
Eileen extended a special welcome to Colleen’s parents Kathy and Bill, her grandmother, Joan, her brother, Billy and his sons Will and Mackenzie, their extended family and friends.
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Sister Charlene Diorka SSJ
began her reflection with a resounding thank you: “On this great and glorious day for you, Colleen, for the Sisters of Saint Joseph and for the Church, we thank you for your faithful and wholehearted yes! We celebrate you and support you as you commit your life to Jesus as a Sister of Saint Joseph! Truly, it is good that we are here!”
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Charlene continued: “Over these past nine plus years something happened to you, Colleen! You have allowed yourself to be changed, actually to be transformed. You have chosen to go up the mountain with Jesus and you have experienced the closeness and intimacy of his friendship and companionship over these years.
Like the disciples, Colleen, we (all of us gathered here who know and love you) have noticed the gleam in your eyes and the passion in your body and the radiance of your person over these years, not to mention the fruits of your labor in ministry. You have experienced transformation deep in your heart and soul and it has made all the difference. It has shaped you into a woman of the Gospel.
So, Colleen, you challenge us today in your public profession of vows. You call to our attention that being open to transformation is at the heart of the Gospel and it is the very lifeblood of the church. Jesus wants all of us to be transfigured. But transfiguration happens up on the mountain not to those who stand still at the bottom. In the language of our Constitutions, we are challenged to resist complacency and let our daily living in this our Little Institute animate us always to move toward closer union with God and neighbor and toward more profound fidelity.
Colleen, thank you for your willingness to serve the Lord. Thank you for being humble in Spirit, faithful to grace, committed to the More and most especially your desire to be One in Love. Be assured that we your companions on the journey hold you in our heart and our prayer. Congratulations and many blessings.”
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As she participated in the Rite of Perpetual Profession, Colleen spoke of a “firm desire to deepen my baptismal commitment and to follow Jesus more closely,” vowing, “to live my entire life in chastity, poverty and obedience, according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of Saint Joseph.”
Congregational President
Sister Maureen G. Erdlen SSJ
accepted Colleen’s vows in the name of the Congregation. In a prayer of blessing, Maureen prayed, “Send the gift of your Spirit upon her … may Sister Colleen’s life reveal the face of Christ so that all who see her may come to know that Jesus is always present in your Church.”
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Colleen included a heartfelt thank you in her Liturgy Program, which reads in part:
“Today, I rejoice as I make my perpetual profession as a Sister of Saint Joseph. I offer my immense gratitude to this community of faithful women with whom I journey. I commit myself not only to God but to this Congregation.
I give thanks to God for this day and for my life. May all that I am and all that I do depend solely on God; may I live out this ‘yes’ each day, making my life an amen to the love of God that has called me to be exactly who I was created to be; and may the God who has begun this good work in me/us see it to completion.
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Following the Eucharistic Celebration and Rite of Profession, Colleen joyfully greeted each of her guests. She then welcomed them to the Convent Dining Room, where they shared a festive lunch and continued to rejoice with Colleen.
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The God of all grace has blessed us this day, all of creation joins us in praise; lifting our voices, lifting our hearts, to the glory of God forever!
Alleluia!
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Climate Change Strike
Philadelphia City Hall
September 20, 2019
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On September 20, three days before the UN Climate Summit in New York City, young people and adults gathered all across the US and world to demand transformative action be taken to address the climate crisis.
The strike, initiated by youth, will kick start a week of climate action with many different plans underway in different parts of the world allowing adults to join together, step up and take action for our climate.
In Philadelphia, the Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center Staff joined with thousands at the Climate Change Strike at City Hall.
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Photos courtesy Welcome Center Staff
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Villa Café Opens
Saint Joseph Villa
September 2019
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The Villa Café in the Maguire Lounge on the first floor of Saint Joseph Vilis officially open.
Stop in on Wednesday or Friday and try a delicious breakfast selection or a variety of luncheon options.
The hours are: 8:30AM-10:00AM and 11:30AM-2:00PM
Enjoy!
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Humanitarian Relief for Venezuela
Saint Joseph Villa
September 20, 2019
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Under the direction of
Sister Colleen Dauberbach SSJ
and the Social Justice Committee, a letter signing project was held at the Villa on Friday, September 20, 2019.
Sisters and staff were invited to sign four letters: two to each of our US Senators in Pennsylvania, Bob Casey and Pat Toomey. One letter asks the Senators to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to refugees from Venezuela. The other requests that they support the VERDAD act:
To provide humanitarian relief to the Venezuelan people and Venezuelan migrants, to advance a constitutional and democratic solution to Venezuelan’s political crisis, to address Venezuela’s economic reconstruction, to combat public corruption, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and for other purposes.
Casa de Venezuela Philadelphia are hoping to collect as many petitions as possible by the end of the month so they can physically deliver them as a package to the Senators’ offices in Washington, D.C.
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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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