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We 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…
Read MoreBeing a Human Being
A Lenten reflection by SSJ Agrégée Betsy Wiest Each year when Lent rolls around, conversations abound about what we will “give up.” Will it be chocolate, fast food, TV, Facebook, etc? In reality, giving up any of these items doesn’t do what Lent is intended to do, and that is to be introspective and bring…
Read MoreIt’s Not Lent Without Easter
A Lenten Reflection by SSJ Associate Mary Fuhrman Many Christians eagerly embrace Lent. Historically, I have not been one of them. Lent follows too quickly upon the Christmas Season for my tastes. A couple days after the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (final day of the Liturgical Christmas Season) while I am still…
Read MoreWe remember . . . Barbara Ann Vavreck, SSJ
Sister Barbara Ann Vavreck, SSJ, 87, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on January 15, 2025, in Erie, in the 70th year of her religious life. She was born on December 11, 1937, in Philipsburg, PA, to the late Andrew and Barbara (Rusnak) Vavreck. She attended Hawk Run Elementary School and…
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