sister stories

Sister Margaret Ann Hardner, SSJ, wanted to be a Maryknoll Sister and serve in a foreign land.  Her parents were reluctant, however, for her to be so far away. They felt she could do as much here with the Sisters of St. Joseph as she could overseas. An Erie native, she attended St. Patrick School,…

The thought of a religious vocation came to Sister Ann Marie Joint, SSJ, at an early age, she recalls, having considered it as early as during 7th and 8th grade, though admittedly, she tried to ignore it. She was impressed with the joy she saw in her teachers at St. Ann School and Villa Maria…

Sister Collette Palmer, SSJ, recalls hearing the call to religious life in the 4th grade. She was so impressed with the love, joy and dedication to God of a young postulant, Sr. Michelle Pillar, that she knew she too was being called. A native of Sharon, PA, Sister Collette entered from Sacred Heart parish in…

Sister Martha Howick, SSJ, says that her call to religious life was dormant until adulthood. “Having learned for the first time that God had a unique plan for my life was very freeing,” she recalls. “From then on, with fervent open-ended prayer, God revealed His caII through the Holy Spirit. I felt inwardly moved to…

Sister Mary Francis Becker, SSJ, says the call to religious life was always present. “I kept denying it was there, but God does not relent,” she says. Her parents were the first and most impressive examples of faith in action in her life.  Growing up, she had planned a life in a big city as…

Nancy Fischer, SSJ entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. John the Baptist parish in Erie.  She currently ministers as the Director of the Office of Religious for the Erie Diocese, as well as Director for small communities and lay ministry training.  Prior to that, she was a school social worker and family minister…

Sister Naomi Wood, SSJ, formerly Sister Ann Catherine, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Holy Rosary Parish in 1958 and made her final profession in 1966. A Johnsonburg native, Sister Naomi earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College.  In addition to her ministry as a teacher, Sister Naomi has also…

Margaret Pellerite, SSJ, formerly Sister Anthony Marie, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Francis parish in Clearfield, PA.  Sister Margaret currently ministers in Campus Ministry at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, where she also served as a teacher from 1967 – 2016.  She continues to head the Action Club, a school service…

Rosemary O’Brien, SSJ, formerly Sister Cordelia, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Joseph parish in Oil City, PA.  Her current ministry includes Spritual direction and retreats, formation and ministry to refugees since 2013 as well as serving on the boards of erie DAWN and Inter-church mionistries of Erie County. Prior to that, Sr.…