125th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Erie Diocese.

St. Patrick’s Haven was founded in 1984 as a small, grassroots homeless shelter that began in response to a need. A parishioner of St. Patrick’s parish became aware of men sleeping on benches near the rectory and on sidewalk grates outside Hamot Hospital. The parishioner contacted Sister Mary Fromknecht, SSJ, Founder, and planted the seed…

Preparation for the 1981 Chapter included an in-depth study of associées, a form of membership in the early days of the Sisters history that was discovered during the post Vatican II research in France. This resulted in a proposal to establish Associate membership in Erie. It was presented for discussion and adopted.  This outward expression of…

In the summer of 1975, the Congregation welcomed the Federation Research team to Villa Maria College to continue its work. Fr. Marius Nepper, SJ, of France who had mentored the team’s initial work was present to lead the group in its study.

After many Sisters requested that the Congregation permit contemporary dress as an option in addition to traditional and modified habits, the decision was made in 1975 to allow contemporary dress.

Post Vatican II ministry expansion also led to several Sisters serving in foreign missions, including Ethiopia, Tanzania, Brazil, India, Israel, El Salvador, and Australia.

Sisters Marilyn Zimmerman established Community House, a home for women and their children in transition.

During this time, Sr. Joseph John McDonald began fostering newborn babies awaiting adoption through Catholic Charities. Sr. Joseph John and Sr. Mary Irene Lunger cared for more than 122 babies during their 28-year ministry.