From The Office of Justice and Peace:

Celebration of Season of Creation

Peggy Comfrey, CSJ, Justice Promoter

Peggy Comfrey, CSJ, holding a basket for the butterflies...

Creating the butterflies...

Sisters, associates, and agrégées gathered on September 11 to celebrate the Season of Creation (which is from September 1 to October 4). After viewing the film, Endangered Migration: The Monarch Butterfly Story, they took time to color butterflies and write a brief message of comfort or hope to immigrants. This is part of a project of the U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in which butterflies with messages are being gathered from Congregations across the country...

Allston-Brighton Parade

Communications Office

September 28th was a beautiful day for the annual Allston/Brighton parade --complete with marching bands, local representatives, Mayor Wu, and of course Mia! We got a few pictures but mostly applauded the groups and enjoyed the positive energy.

Castle Island Outing

Communications Office

Much fun was had! Above: sisters from Bethany Health Care Center disembarking the bus and sitting together in the shade on Castle Island.

Fresh air, abundant sunshine, and balmy temperatures all contributed to the perfect day for a Castle Island outing with Bethany Health Care residents. It was as if Castle Island became sacred space as the Bethany bus arrived and sisters disembarked at this iconic South Boston landmark. The Bethany staff excelled in attending to every detail, and eventually, each sister received the lunch order of her choice. Sisters, associates, some family members, and even curious “new” neighbors showed up and joined in the celebration. The seagulls, however, kept their distance! 

  These outings have been a welcome part of Bethany’s summer. Several Castle Island outings happened throughout August into late September. In addition, on September 11, sisters boarded the Bethany bus to visit Framingham firefighters and police with cookies to express their gratitude for first responders on the 24th anniversary of 9/11. Without a doubt, our mission is alive among the staff and residents of Bethany! 

From the Associates:

A Journey into La Familia de San José

Juanita Campos, CSJA

Above, left to right: Juanita Campos, CSJA; Kathy Tighe, CSJA; and wMary MacGillivray, CSJA, at the 2025 Living the Dream Dinner.

My journey to becoming a CSJ Associate began with a deep yearning for belonging, and a desire to be part of the Familia of God —a God who loves me and everyone without distinction, where no one is left out and all are welcome with love, justice, and freedom. This journey truly started with the encouragement of my dear friend Judy Swett, CSJA, former Palliative Care Chaplain. Judy always invited me into the circle of the CSJ Associates, where everyone is a leader and has a voice.

  Later, during a retreat, Kathy Short, CSJ, extended a similar invitation with great excitement as we concluded our last day of direction, urging me to come and see, and by showing me the associate’s invitation pamphlet. Both Judy and Kathy warmly said, “Come and see—you will find the family you’ve been searching for. La familia que buscas.” Although my first meeting — held during the election of the leadership team — was challenging due to a lack of diversity, I soon met another Latina associate, Latina, como yo, and that encounter began to soften the path ahead, which made me feel more at home.  

From Casserly House:

Roslindale Porchfest: Music Promotes Unifying Love Among Neighbors!

Donna Stiglmeier, Director of Casserly House

Cornell Coley, musician and band organizer for the previous three Porchfest performances at Casserly House, talks with Ignatian Corps volunteer, Tim Wemple.

It was a beautiful day to dance in the driveway! With a great turnout, the Haitian roots music band “ZepenG” (pronounced zay-PONG) filled the neighborhood with an amazing fusion of sounds. For the first time with Roslindale Porchfest, ZepenG performed at Casserly House on Saturday, September 13, 2025... 

Nancy Braceland, CSJ, dancing with Ben Caithamer, a recreational lindy hop dancer. 

Celebrating our 2025 Jubilarians!

God has blessed me with wonderful companions on this journey in each of the missions where I have served. The sisters, priests, students, parents and parishioners have made my vocation experience such an unforgettable gift. I carry in prayerful reminiscence those great memories, so many kindnesses, and never-ending thanks to God for leading me into a life of giving and receiving blessings that await me every day. 

- Catherine Decker, CSJ

To read more quotes and see photos of the 2025 Jubilarians, click the button below!

10 Myths about Caring for Creation & Saints who Cared for Creation

Curious about the myths and facts of caring for creation? Scan the QR code to view a flipbook!

Did you know?

During the 1970s and 1980s, our outreach continued to widen as Sisters of St. Joseph were part of new ministries. These ministries include: Bridge Over Troubled Waters, a social service agency for youth on the streets of Boston; a group home for girls in Quincy; the Archdiocesan Office of AIDS Ministry, which included Seton Manor and extensive HIV/AIDS education ministry throughout the archdiocese; and a religious education program for mothers of children living with Down Syndrome, which began at Sacred Heart, Weymouth, and eventually spread throughout the archdiocese...

This Did You Know series, which delves into our history, is available on Instagram or Facebook @csjboston! 

In Memoriam

We remember her in the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn.

Sister Martha Ann Kelley, CSJ

(Sister Marie Annunciata) 

February 5, 1943 – September 12, 2025

Entered: Sept. 8, 1962

In the 63ʳᵈ year of her Religious Life.

Dates to Remember...

Oct. 2: *TWT: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

When: Oct. 2, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Where: The Penthouse at the Motherhouse

Oct. 2 - Dec. 11: Spiritual Direction Internship Initiative Presents...

Virtual Re-Visiting of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola

When: Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Where: via Zoom

Oct. 4: **SJSM Presents: Create to Honor Creation 

When: Oct. 4, 12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Where: The Spirituality Center at 71 Walnut Park, Newton, MA

Oct. 4: Upcoming Liturgies at the Motherhouse 

When: Oct. 4, 4 p.m. | Oct. 11, 4 p.m | Oct. 26, 4 p.m. | Nov. 2, 10 a.m. Where: Motherhouse Chapel

Oct. 6: *TWT: Mothers of Children with Special Needs

When: Oct. 6, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Where: The Penthouse at the Motherhouse 

Oct. 15: **SJSM Presents: How Big is Your God? With Dorothea Masuret, CSJ

When: Oct. 15, 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Where: Motherhouse Chapel

Oct. 16: **SJSM Presents: The Listening Heart: A Personal Day Retreat With Joan Duffy, CSJ. When: Select Thursdays: Oct. 16, Nov. 13, Dec. 11, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m | Where: The Spirituality Center at 71 Walnut Park, Newton, MA

Oct. 16: Taizé Prayer

When: Thursday, Oct. 16, 7:00 p.m. | Where: Motherhouse Chapel 

Oct. 18: Associates Meeting

Featuring Malissa Costa & Peggy Comfrey, CSJ

When: Saturday, October 18, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. For further details: contact Mary MacGillivray, CSJA, at: 617-746-1670

Oct. 28: **SJSM Presents: The Humanity of God With Carlotte Gilarde, CSJ

When: October 28, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.  | Where: The Spirituality Center 

Nov. 5: Archives Crawl: CSJ Archives Participation

When: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 12 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Location: Motherhouse Foyer

This is part of a free multi-day event involving multiple archives. For updates, click HERE!

*TWT: The Women's Table

**SJSM: Saint Joseph Spiritual Ministries

Thanks for reading our newsletter!

Flying Home! Left: Dorothea Masuret, CSJ, collecting a butterfly from Marianne Miller, CSJ Agrégée, during the Celebration of Creation.

About the banner...



The image used for October's banner at the top of this newsletter — a photograph from Casserly House during Roslindale's Porchfest — truly captures the spirit of the day. September 13th was a day of community, music, and joy — drenched in unexpected sunlight.

Learn more at www.csjboston.org!

Contact the Communications Department at: joanne.gallagher@csjboston.org 

Contact the Advancement Office at: karen.yee@csjboston.org

637 Cambridge Street, Brighton, MA 02135

Uncredited photos are from the Mission Advancement Office,

the Communications Office, Casserly House, St. Joseph Spiritual Ministries,

The Women's Table or Pixabay