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Adapting Mission to the Times
As I was listening to Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper give a weekly update on coronavirus statistics, she commended the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network for the safe manner in which it is conducting the Little Italy Farmers Market. It made me wonder how the pandemic is affecting how the SSJNN staff is helping…
Read Morewe remember . . . Ann Loretta Urmann, SSJ
Ann Loretta Urmann, SSJ, age 95, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on July 18, 2020. She was born Mary Regis Urmann in Elbon, Pennsylvania, on August 23, 1924, the daughter of the late Joseph and M. Ruth McMackin Urmann. She graduated from St. Leo High School, Ridgway, PA, in 1942. …
Read MoreJuly 30 – World Day Against Human Trafficking
In 2013, The United Nations designated July 30th as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness and work toward preventing human trafficking. COVID-19 has impacted human trafficking. Children are more vulnerable at this time to online exploitation. School closures mean that many children no longer have a safe environment and are often confined…
Read MoreRacism and White Privilege
A reflection by Betsy Wiest, SSJ Agregee and Social Justice Coordinator We have all been affected by recent events in our world: the COVID-19 pandemic and the protests, marches, and vigils following the death of George Floyd. These events have left us breathless, angry, confused, and seeking direction. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern…
Read MoreMeet SSJ Associate Paul Wilcosz
Paul Wilcosz became an SSJ Associate in 2018 at the invitation of his friends, Associates Ted and Mary Wright. Sister Claudia Dombrowski served as his mentor. Paul first became acquainted with the Sisters of St. Joseph while his children attended Holy Rosary School in Erie. He was involved in all of their school and parish…
Read MoreRacism is a Virus
SSJ Mission Possible by Sr. Ann Marie Cappello, SSJ The U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph Statement on Racism and Commitment to Direct Action states that racism is a virus every bit as deadly as COVID-19, and which has infected our nation since its inception. Until we address it, people of color will continue…
Read MoreCongratulations Erie DAWN!
Congratulations to Erie DAWN on its 25th anniversary of ministry. Erie DAWN has provided services and housing for more than 1,000 women and children in the Erie community. We congratulate Director Maureen Dunn and her staff for a magnificent job of caring for and assisting women to become self-sufficient, independent, productive members of society through…
Read MoreReligious Life in the United States Today
The 2020 NRVC/CARA Study on Recent Vocations identified more than 3,500 women and men who entered religious life from 2003 to 2018. On average, around 200 people a year make perpetual profession and about 400 begin the process of initial formation. Key findings about new members: Endless call: Women and men continue to respond to…
Read MoreU.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph Issue Statement on Racism
The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph strongly condemns the police-killing of another black man on the streets of our nation. Our hearts are breaking as we mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd, as well as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee, and all the others who have lost loved…
Read MoreMeet SSJ Associate Stephanie Hall
Twenty years ago, in May of 2000, Stephanie became our Director of Communications and Public Relations and the first layperson hired to our administrative staff (see box). Two years later, Stephanie and her mother, Mary Lou Rathers, became associates. Sisters Margaret Ann Hardner and Nancy Fischer were Stephanie’s sponsor and mentor. Stephanie enjoys being…
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