The month of March has always been significant for the Sisters of St. Joseph as we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph on March 19.  Beginning in 2014, National Catholic Sisters Week has been celebrated March 8-14, making the month even more special.

As in the past, locally we will collaborate with the Benedictine Sisters, the Mercy Sisters and the Diocese of Erie on an initiative in conjunction with  National Catholic Sisters Week.  This year’s focus is kindness, specifically being kind and creating a community of kindness. Lilly Broadcasting/Erie News Now and Northwest Bank are co-sponsoring this year’s initiative. 

Kindness will be promoted throughout National Catholic Sisters Week via a series of PSAs  featuring prominent local community members and billboards throughout the area. 

Click here to get BE KIND car magnets

A highlight of the week is an event that will be held on Sunday evening, March 10 on the Mercyhurst University Campus. The town hall style conversation, moderated by Eva Mastromatteo of Erie News Now, will include brief reflections on the importance of kindness given by Mary Ann White, SSJ; Jenell Patton Mercyhurst Campus Ministry; Natalie Rossi, RSM; and Anne Wambach, OSB. The audience will be invited to ask questions following the presentations and share their thoughts and ideas on creating a community of kindness.  The evening will open with Erie Mayor Joe Schember and Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper presenting proclamations and sharing their thoughts on kindness as well.

Our founder, Father Jean Pierre Medaille, reminds us in Maxim 64: Strive to be kind always to everyone and unkind to no one.

As we celebrate this special week, let us reflect on our actions and attitudes toward each person who crosses our path.  Let these be opportunities for us to practice kindness. Let us also remember all creation deserves our reverence and respect. This is what makes the SSJ Mission Possible!