Each year, the Sisters of St. Joseph celebrate our Sisters who mark anniversaries of religious life and ministry.
Our eight 2026 jubilarians have answered Christ’s call with courage and joy, and their years of service and dedication are a true blessing to our congregation and the surrounding community.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also remember the faith, love, devotion, and service of each of our jubilarians. We celebrate the example set by each of these Sisters as they inspire us to live united with God and attentive to the ever-changing needs of our neighbors and the world.
Sister Lucille DeStefano - 80 Years
Sister Lucille DeStefano was born in Ridgway, PA. As a young girl, she was greatly influenced by the Sisters of St. Joseph as she observed their good works for members of the community in her home parish of St. Leo’s in Ridgway. In addition to having these sisters as teachers, Sr. Lucille practiced at the convent as a piano student and discovered the family-like nature of the Sisters.
Following high school, Sr. Lucille entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1946, where her musical and spiritual vocations were nurtured. She then attended and graduated from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to earn a Master in Music Education from Chicago Musical College/Roosevelt University.
During her ministry career, Sr. Lucille taught piano at Villa Maria Conservatory of Music in Erie and at St. Francis Parish in Clearfield, PA, where she also served as choir director. Then, for many years, Sr. Lucille was on staff at Villa Maria College, serving as associate professor and chairperson of the Humanities Dept. and the Fine Arts Dept. She also served as Associate Professor of Fine Arts at Gannon University in Erie. For her religious community, Sr. Lucille served as a member of the Community Living Center Team and director of liturgy.
Sister Mary Carol Hoke - 75 Years
Sister Mary Carol Hoke, SSJ a native of Meadville, PA, worked as a secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Highways for more than four years before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1951. Through attending daily Mass and receiving Communion regularly, she felt drawn to religious life and credited her mother’s prayers, along with the example of devoted parish priests and the Sisters of St. Joseph, for inspiring her vocation. She professed final vows in 1957.
Sr. Mary Carol earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College, Erie, and later became certified in elementary library science at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She taught at St. John, St. Andrew, St. Patrick and St. Joseph schools in Erie; St. Leo School in Ridgway; St. Francis School in Clearfield; St. Bernard School in Bradford; and St. Mary School in Reynoldsville. She also served as principal at St. Joseph School, Erie, and St. Brigid, St. Agatha and Seton Catholic schools in Meadville. In addition, she worked as a librarian at Seton Catholic School and the Sisters of St. Joseph Community Living Center, and served as a clerk at St. Agatha Parish, Meadville; and Saint Vincent Hospital, Erie.
Throughout her decades of service, Sr. Mary Carol has dedicated herself to education, pastoral care and community support. Her work reflects a lifelong commitment to nurturing faith, learning and service.
Sister Barbara Ann Zakutney - 75 Years
Sister Barbara Ann Zakutney, SSJ, a native of Christ the King Parish (formerly Sacred Heart) in Houtzdale, Pensylvania has dedicated most of her 75 years as a Sister of St. Joseph to children and the care of others. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College, Erie, and pursued further studies at the University of Dayton and Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1951, inspired through prayer and by the example of her mother and a close family friend.
She taught at St. Ann, St. John the Baptist, St. Patrick and St. Andrew schools in Erie, and St. Leo School in Ridgway. She also served as the first principal of a diocesan school merger, when St. Ann School and St. Casimir School became Spirit of Christ School in Erie. In addition, she was a housemother at the former St. Joseph Home for Children, Erie, and shared her musical gifts as a piano and organ teacher.
Following her years as an educator, Sr. Barbara Ann became a registered nurse, attending Saint Vincent School of Nursing, Erie, and working as a staff nurse at Saint Vincent Hospital for 17 years. In January 2001, she was appointed to the Diocesan Medical/Moral Advisory Committee.
Throughout her ministries in education, music and health care, Sr. Barbara Ann has demonstrated dedication, compassion and skill, reflecting a lifelong commitment to caring for others.
Sister Marie Stephen Kebort - 70 Years
Sister Marie Stephen Kebort, SSJ, born in Meadville, Pennsylvania, has devoted her life to education and faith formation, serving generations of students and parishioners with dedication and care. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Brigid Parish in Meadville on August 29, 1956 and professed final vows on August 15, 1964.
She graduated from Meadville High School in 1956 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1967, as well as a master’s degree in religious education from LaSalle University in Philadelphia in 1977.
In education, Sister Marie Stephen taught for nearly 40 years at several Erie diocesan schools, including St. Andrew, Villa Maria Elementary, St. John, Blessed Sacrament and St. Paul schools in Erie; Holy Rosary in Johnsonburg, where she also taught piano; St. Leo in Ridgway, where she also taught organ; and St. Francis in Clearfield. She also served as principal at St. Andrew School in Erie from 1977 to 1984. In addition, she taught for ten years at Holy Trinity School in Byesville, Ohio and taught high school religious education at Ss. Peter and Paul Parish in Lore City, Ohio. Since 1994, she has served as director of religious education at St. Patrick Parish in Erie.
Through decades of ministry, Sister Marie Stephen has shared her gifts in education and faith formation, reflecting a lifelong commitment to serving God and others. She continues to look forward with openness to where the Spirit leads her.
Sister Catherine Manning - 70 Years
Sister Catherine Manning, SSJ recognized her call to religious life in second grade after first encountering the Sisters of St. Joseph when her family moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania. She was born in Lewis Run, Pennsylvania and entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Bernard Parish in Bradford on August 29, 1956, professing her final vows on August 15, 1964.
She graduated from St. Bernard High School in Bradford in 1956 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1966, a master’s degree in education guidance counseling from Gannon University in Erie in 1971, and a master’s degree in theology from Boston College in 1981.
In education, Sr. Catherine taught in Erie diocesan schools from 1956 to 1963 and served as principal at St. Peter Cathedral School in Erie from 1966 to 1973. She also served as director of admissions at Villa Maria College in Erie from 1973 to 1976 and academic dean at Marymount International School in Rome, Italy from 1982 to 1985.
In healthcare and diocesan leadership, she served at Saint Vincent Hospital as vice president of patient affairs from 1985 to 1990, senior vice president from 1990 to 1991, and president and chief executive officer from 1991 to 2002. She later served the Diocese of Erie from 2003 to 2013, including as vice chancellor in 2008, becoming the first non-clergy person to hold that position.
Throughout her ministry, Sr. Catherine has served on numerous boards including Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Erie and the Pennsylvania Catholic Healthcare Association, reflecting a lifelong commitment to education, healthcare, and service.
Sister Margaret O'Brien - 70 Years
Sister Margaret O’Brien, SSJ, a native of Oil City, Pennsylvania, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Joseph Parish in Oil City on August 29, 1956, and professed final vows on August 15, 1964.
She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Oil City in 1956 and earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1968. She later earned a gerontology certificate from Gannon University in 1969, a reading specialist certificate from Edinboro University in 1971 and nurse aide certification from the American Red Cross in 1986.
In education, Sr. Margaret taught for 23 years in several Erie diocesan schools, including Blessed Sacrament, Villa Maria Elementary, Holy Rosary and Our Lady of Peace schools in Erie from 1956 to 1974, as well as St. Francis in Clearfield, St. Bernard in Bradford, and St. Leo in Ridgway. She also served as convent superior in Bradford from 1974 to 1980.
Since 1986, Sr. Margaret has served at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie in a variety of roles, continuing a long ministry in healthcare and service. In 2014, she was honored with the Médaille d’Or Medal from the Saint Mary’s board and administration in recognition of her years of dedication. She will celebrate 30 years in healthcare service this year.
Throughout her ministry, Sr. Margaret has built relationships with residents and families who have been a source of inspiration to her. She continues to live out the charism of our congregation: “neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God.”
Sister Phyllis DiFuccia - 60 Years
Sister Phyllis DiFuccia, SSJ, was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on September 8, 1966 and professed final vows on September 8, 1974.
She graduated from Villa Maria Academy in Erie in 1965 and earned a bachelor’s degree in French from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1969, a master’s degree in French from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont in 1973, and a master’s degree in organization development from Loyola University in Chicago, Illinois in 1996.
In education, Sr. Phyllis taught French at Villa Maria Academy, where she also served as principal and administrator from 1968 to 1979 and 1986 to 1990. She also taught at Villa Maria College in Erie, serving as dean for adult learning from 1979 to 1983.
She later served in parish and healthcare ministry in Union City, Pennsylvania, at Saint Teresa Parish and Maria House Projects from 1983 to 1986, and as director of mission effectiveness at Saint Vincent Health System from 1991 to 1994.
Sr. Phyllis spent 18 years in Chicago, Illinois, as an independent consultant in organizational development, working with universities, consulting firms, and religious organizations. During this time, she deepened her appreciation for contemplative life and personal growth.
She served on the first Sisters of St. Joseph Leadership Team from 1999 to 2003 and contributed to translation work for the U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph. From 2012 to 2019 she served as vice president of mission at Saint Joseph Academy in Cleveland, Ohio. She currently serves on our Governance Committee, and as a team member for Spirits on Fire.
Sister Suzan Herzing - 60 Years
Sister Susan Herzing, SSJ, of St. Marys, PA entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from her hometown parish, St. Mary’s, on September 8, 1966. She professed her first vows on August 15, 1969 and her final vows on September 15, 1974, following a formation rooted in parish life and early educational ministry.
Sr. Susan graduated from Elk County Christian High School in St. Marys, Pennsylvania in 1963. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1972 and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut in 1982. She later completed training at the Pittsburgh School of Massage Therapy in 1996. She taught elementary education from 1968 to 1977 at Saint Patrick School in Erie and from 1978 to 1982 at Villa Maria Academy in Erie.
Sr. Susan served in a variety of educational and pastoral ministries throughout her career. She was vocation director for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania from 1978 to 1982 and worked with the Separated and Divorced Catholics program of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie in several capacities from 1970 to 1990. From 1982 to 1995 she served as pastoral minister at St. Joseph Church in Erie and also served as a mentor for Sisters of St. Joseph associates. From 1996 to 2011, she worked as a massage therapist and from 2012 to 2025, she served as agrégée director for the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Throughout her ministry, Sr. Susan has dedicated herself to education, pastoral care and accompaniment, reflecting a lifelong commitment to service, formation and community life.