Former Religious Name: Sister Francetta

Home parish: Sacred Heart, Erie, PA

Sister Ann Marie Cappello (formerly Sister Francetta) first felt the stirrings of a religious vocation when she was in grade school. Her family lived in the same neighborhood as Sacred Heart Convent and School in Erie, where the Sisters of St. Joseph served. Because of their close proximity to the convent, Sister Ann Marie and her neighborhood friends were often called upon to help the Sisters. They assisted with church work, sorted weekly church envelopes, ran errands, and helped with various chores around the school. At times, they accompanied the Sisters to nearby parishes to assist with catechism classes. These experiences outside the classroom gave her the opportunity to get to know the Sisters personally and planted the seeds of her own vocation.

Sister Ann Marie continued her education at Villa Maria Academy, where her association with the Sisters of St. Joseph deepened and her desire to become a Sister continued to grow. After graduating from high school, she attended college for one year. As her desire to enter religious life became stronger, she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in the summer of 1958, following her freshman year of college. She professed her final vows in 1966.

Sister Ann Marie pursued a career in education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie in 1966. She continued her studies at Edinboro University, earning a Master of Education degree in education and reading in 1972 and receiving certification as a reading specialist in 1973. Her commitment to lifelong learning led her to further studies in library science at Edinboro University and gifted education at Kent State University. She also participated in a communications program at Loyola University in New Orleans, a gifted education workshop at the University of Connecticut, and PLS classes through Gannon University. In addition, she attended the Leadership Erie program through Gannon University and participated in the Weber Experience Sabbatical Program.

Sister Ann Marie began her teaching ministry in diocesan schools throughout the region. From 1958 to 1974, she served students at Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of Peace, St. John the Baptist, St. Andrew, St. Ann, and Holy Rosary in Erie, as well as St. Leo in Ridgway and St. Bernard in Bradford. Her dedication to education and her desire to help students grow continued into higher education. She taught at Villa Maria College in Erie from 1974 to 1990 and at Gannon University from 1990 to 2004, sharing her knowledge and experience with generations of students.

Throughout her career, Sister Ann Marie’s commitment to education and professional development was recognized in a variety of ways. She was named to Who’s Who in American Education for 1989–1990 and participated in the Leadership Erie program in 1991–1992. She was also involved in the LCBA Scholarship Institute for Religious Communications and the Pennsylvania Literacy Corps Pilot Program, supported by a Department of Labor and Industry grant.

Sister Ann Marie’s ministry eventually expanded to include leadership and formation within the Sisters of St. Joseph community. Since 1996, she has served as Director of the Sisters of St. Joseph Associate Program, helping foster relationships between the congregation and the women and men who share in its mission and charism. Since 2004, she has also served as SSJ Mission Effectiveness Coordinator, supporting the congregation’s ongoing commitment to living its mission and values.

Her work with the Associate Program has been a particularly meaningful part of her vocation. Over the years, Sister Ann Marie has had the opportunity to build relationships with more than two hundred Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Their deep faith and the ways they live the Sisters’ charism in their daily lives have been a profound source of inspiration to her. She considers these relationships a blessing and an important reminder of how the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph continues to be lived and shared by people throughout the community.

Sister Ann Marie credits her faith journey to the many people God has placed in her life. Her parents provided an early example of what it means to live a faith-filled life, and her grandparents, siblings, relatives, friends, coworkers, and religious community have all helped guide and influence her throughout the years. Their examples of faith, service, and love have helped shape her understanding of her vocation and continue to encourage her in her ministry.

In recent years, the Consensus Statement of the Sisters of St. Joseph has become a particular source of inspiration and frequent reflection for Sister Ann Marie. She sees it as a summary of who a Sister of St. Joseph is called to be and a constant reminder of the daily striving for the “more”—a profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction. This understanding of the Sisters’ charism continues to guide her as she accompanies others in faith and helps them discover ways to live out the congregation’s mission in their own lives.

For Sister Ann Marie, religious life has been shaped by a lifetime of learning, relationships, and service. From her childhood experiences helping the Sisters at Sacred Heart to her years in education and her ongoing ministry with Associates, she has continued to respond to the call she first sensed as a young girl. Through her work and relationships, she remains committed to sharing the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and encouraging others to live out a profound love of God and neighbor.