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Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania Call for Unity and an End to the Violence
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are deeply saddened by the fatal arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting violence in our nation, including our community of Erie, Pennsylvania. Like other citizens, we are also experiencing feelings of frustration, fear, and anger over Mr. Floyd’s death and the deaths of others…
Read Morepetite Journeys Spring 2020
virtual presence
“It’s not what you do but how you do it, it’s not what you see, but how you see, it’s not what you say, what you know or achieve but it’s the presence, the presence you are.” The words of this song by Jan Novotka came to my mind as I reflected on the idea…
Read MoreMeet SSJ Associate Fr. Dennis Martin
Fr. Dennis claims Pittsburgh, PA as his hometown where he was educated by the Sisters of Charity. He credits the sisters and the priests of his parish for his vocation. In 1975, he was ordained as a Marianist priest and was accepted into the Erie diocese in 1984. He served at St. George Parish for…
Read MoreA Call to Postpone the DACA Decision
Plaintiffs in one of the cases challenging the termination of DACA recently filed a letter with the Supreme Court asking them to consider the real-world consequences of the COVID-19 global health crisis for more than 700,000 DACA recipients and their families – including their 256,000 U.S. citizen children. The letter argues that if the Court…
Read Morewe remember . . . Mary Arlene Menz, SSJ
Sister Mary Arlene Menz, SSJ, age 94, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on March 19, 2020. She was in the 73rd year of her religious life. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1925, the daughter of the late Arthur and Marie Kloecker Menz, she entered the Sisters of St.…
Read MoreSupport for those affected by Coronavirus
Take action to urge your senators to support first steps in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides paid leave, establishes free coronavirus testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, protects frontline health workers, and provides additional funding to states for the ongoing economic…
Read MoreCatholic Sisters Week helps promote understanding of women religious
Catholic Sisters Week is March 8 through March 14 As communications directors for congregations of Catholic sisters, it can be challenging to shine the spotlight on these extraordinary women and their stories. But what would seem to be an easy task is made difficult by the sisters’ deep-rooted humility and avoidance of any accolades. They…
Read MoreHelp Reduce Gun Deaths
In 1966, faced with rapidly rising motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths on our roads, the National Highway Safety Bureau (NHSB) was created to promote and implement safety technology and practices, such as seat belt use, as well as to support research into causes and contributing factors. This approach has been credited with reducing motor vehicle…
Read MoreYes — YOU count!
The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years when every person living in the U.S. is counted, whether a U.S. citizen or not. The next decennial census begins April 1. An accurate count means that communities around the nation receive the funding, services, and business support they deserve and need. Why is it important…
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