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Exploring Intersections: Catholic Sisters on Racism, Migration and Climate.
Exploring Intersections is a yearlong, monthly series that will focus on a social issue and explore how it intersects with racism, migration, and climate in a thought-provoking and engaging conversation. Host Charish Badzinski–writer, communication consultant, strategic planner, and public relations professional–will skillfully steer the conversation among three selected panelists. The panelists will offer unique perspectives,…
Read MoreThe U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Stands Against the Racism and Misogyny Directed Towards the Asian-American and Pacific Island Communities
The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph joins the Leadership Conference of Women Religious in condemning racism and sexism in all their harmful forms — whether the violent acts of white supremacists and misogynists or the daily acts of hate and discrimination that diminish us all. We grieve with the citizens of Atlanta…
Read MoreWe remember . . . Kathleen Kirsch, SSJ
Sister Kathleen Kirsch, SSJ, formerly SisterMary Leo, 93, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on March 25, 2021. Sister Kathleen was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 1927, the daughter of the late Leo and Adelaide (Miller) Kirsch. She graduated from Villa Maria Academy, Erie, PA, in 1945 and continued…
Read MoreVirtual Events Planned to Celebrate Catholic Sisters Week
“Feeding the Soul, Feeding the Hungry” is the theme for local initiatives planned for Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. A virtual kick-off event featuring Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), and Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie County (Pa.) Executive is slated for Sunday, March 7 at 7 p.m. on…
Read MoreEarthly Shadow of the Heavenly Father
Our theme for St. Joseph Day this year reflects on Joseph being the “earthly shadow of the Heavenly Father.” This is one of the virtues that Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (With a Father’s Heart) attributes to St. Joseph. As I thought about this virtue, I began reflecting on the word shadow.…
Read MoreBlack Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity
Black History Month began in 1915, a half-century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. That year, Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, and prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded what is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This organization is dedicated to researching and promoting the achievements of Black…
Read MoreFollowing God’s Will Amidst a Changing Society
by SSJ Associate Elaine Clyburn The following article was written by Elaine Clyburn, one of the first Associates welcomed by the SSJs in Erie. Her story was published in the Winter 2014-15 issue of Journeys. We are sharing it again during this year’s Black History month. In 1982, allowing God to lead me, I became…
Read MoreYear of St. Joseph
Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX, Pope Francis has declared December 8, 2020 – December 8, 2021, as the “Year of St. Joseph.” In his Apostolic Letter entitled Patris Corde (with a father’s heart), Pope Francis shares some personal reflections…
Read Morejourneys winter 2020-21
Read about how technology has helped the Sisters and the SSJ community to stay connected through the pandemic.
Read MoreMeet SSJ Associates Carol and Tom Hoffman
Carol and Tom Hoffman celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on January 27. They are members of St. Andrew’s Parish where Carol has worked for 42 years as a pastoral associate. She has been the religious education coordinator, liturgical planner, choir director, eucharistic minister, and lector. Tom spends his time with the Bay & Harbor Home…
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