Rosemary O’Brien, SSJ

Rosemary O’Brien, SSJ, formerly Sister Cordelia, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Joseph parish in Oil City, PA.  Her current ministry includes Spritual direction and retreats, formation and ministry to refugees since 2013 as well as serving on the boards of erie DAWN and Inter-church mionistries of Erie County. Prior to that, Sr. Rosemary was pastoral assistant/evangelization at St. Mary of Immacualte Conception parish in Erie. She also served in pastoral ministry at St. Patrick Parish and Our Lady of Mercy Parish, where she also served as Director of Religious Education.She taught at St. Andrew School, Villa Maria Elementary School, St. Patrick School, St. Bernard in Bradford, Bradford Central Christian High School, and Villa Maria Academy. She served her congregation on its Formation Team, as Director of the SSJ Associate Program, Director of the SSJ Spirituality Centre, on the SSJ Leadership Council and as a member of the SSJ Congregational Leadership Team followed by a sabbatical which included study and a mission experience among the Native Americans in the southwest. Sister Rosemary earned a BS in Elementary Education from Villa Maria College, an MA in Sacred Science from St. Bonaventure University.  Her education also includes studies at the Institute of Pastoral Care, Inter-Church Ministries of NWPA, and completion of Spiritual Direction Certification. When she is deeply aware of God’s presence and central place in her life, Sister Rosemary feels the unity and connectedness of life, and desires to share that experience through relationships, ministry, and care for others and creation.