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We remember . . . Marilyn Zimmerman, SSJ
Marilyn Zimmerman, SSJ, 90, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on June 9, 2025, in the 72nd year of her religious life. She was born in Erie, PA, on May 17, 1935, the daughter of the late Louis F. and Bernice (McNulty) Zimmerman. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from…
Read MoreSisters of St. Joseph Celebrate 165 Years of Ministry in the Diocese of Erie
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are kicking off a celebration of the congregation’s 165th anniversary of ministry in the Erie Diocese this coming weekend, May 24-25. Mother Agnes Spencer, SSJ, the congregation’s foundress and first superior, along with three other Sisters, first arrived in the Erie Diocese on May 24, 1860, in…
Read MoreWe remember . . . Mary Claire Kennedy, SSJ
Sister Mary Claire Kennedy, SSJ, 96, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on May 23, 2025, in the 75th year of her religious life. She was born in Erie, PA, on November 24, 1928, the daughter of the late Charles and Bernice (Graney) Kennedy. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph…
Read MoreWe Joyfully Welcome Pope Leo
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania joyfully welcome the news of our new Pope, Leo XIV, as the leader of the Catholic Church. We are excited that he is an American, and we find great hope in the movement of the Holy Spirit that guided the conclave to this historic decision. Like Pope…
Read MoreWe remember . . . Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ
Sister Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ, 93, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on May 5, 2025, in the 73rd year of her religious life. She was born on October 15, 1931, in Hamilton, Ohio, the daughter of Arnold and Margaret Chapman Tann. Her family later moved to Erie, where she graduated…
Read MoreWe remember . . . Maria Onuffer, SSJ
Sister Maria Onuffer, SSJ, 91, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on April 12, 2025, in the 74th year of her religious life. She was born in Lewis Run, PA, on September 17, 1933, to the late John and Anna (Hvizdak) Onuffer. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Our…
Read MoreOur Jesuit Connection with Pope Francis
The following reflection was written in 2013 shortly after Pope Francis began his papacy. While Pope Francis is no longer with us, the manner in which he lived his life will always be a powerful example of what it means to live a life of great virtue. Our founder, Fr. Jean Pierre Medaille, also a…
Read MoreWe remember . . . Rose Marie Chisholm, SSJ
Rose Marie Chisholm, SSJ, 99, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on April 1, 2025, in the 78th year of her religious life. She was born on August 30, 1925, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Hugh and Lillian (Vearse) Chisholm. She graduated from Watertown Senior High School in…
Read MoreLet Go of the Rope
A Lenten reflection by SSJ Agrégée Tammy Van Buren The story goes that an experienced climber had almost reached the top of the mountain when he lost his footing and plunged backward toward the ground. “God! Help me!” the man cried out in desperation. As quickly as he had been falling, he came to a…
Read MoreAre You There, Child? It’s Me: God
A Lenten reflection by SSJ Agrégée Charlene Kellerman How does God speak to you? Does God have a love language known and understood only between you and God? I believe so. How is it that two (or three or more) people can hear or experience the exact same thing, and, for one, it may be…
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