zzz-toss - SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

A Call to Postpone the DACA Decision

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | March 30, 2020

Plaintiffs in one of the cases challenging the termination of DACA recently filed a letter with the Supreme Court asking them to consider the real-world consequences of the COVID-19 global health crisis for more than 700,000 DACA recipients and their families – including their 256,000 U.S. citizen children. The letter argues that if the Court…

we remember . . . Mary Arlene Menz, SSJ

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | March 19, 2020

Sister Mary Arlene Menz, SSJ, age 94, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on March 19, 2020. She was in the 73rd year of her religious life. Born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on November 10, 1925, the daughter of the late Arthur and Marie Kloecker Menz, she entered the Sisters of St.…

Support for those affected by Coronavirus

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | March 17, 2020

Take action to urge your senators to support first steps in responding to the COVID-19 crisis. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act provides paid leave, establishes free coronavirus testing, supports strong unemployment benefits, expands food assistance for vulnerable children and families, protects frontline health workers, and provides additional funding to states for the ongoing economic…

Catholic Sisters Week helps promote understanding of women religious

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | March 10, 2020

Catholic Sisters Week is March 8 through March 14 As communications directors for congregations of Catholic sisters, it can be challenging to shine the spotlight on these extraordinary women and their stories. But what would seem to be an easy task is made difficult by the sisters’ deep-rooted humility and avoidance of any accolades. They…

Sister – A Major Piece of Art for Social Justice

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | February 26, 2020

“A major piece of art for social justice.” SISTER is a one-hour documentary about the work of death penalty abolitionist and Dead Man Walking author, Sister Helen Prejean, CSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph from Louisiana. The film examines her life and influences and the evolving role of Catholic nuns in America. Check here for…

Help Reduce Gun Deaths

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | February 25, 2020

In 1966, faced with rapidly rising motor vehicle-related injuries and deaths on our roads, the National Highway Safety Bureau (NHSB) was created to promote and implement safety technology and practices, such as seat belt use, as well as to support research into causes and contributing factors. This approach has been credited with reducing motor vehicle…

Yes — YOU count!

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | February 25, 2020

The U.S. Constitution requires a census every 10 years when every person living in the U.S. is counted, whether a U.S. citizen or not. The next decennial census begins April 1. An accurate count means that communities around the nation receive the funding, services, and business support they deserve and need. Why is it important…

This Lent, Support Mission Haiti

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | February 25, 2020

“Little by little the bird makes his nest.” Haitian Proverb For the past seven years, the Sisters of St. Joseph in the United States and Canada have collaborated with Mission Haiti to help rebuild the lives of the Haitian people after the 2010 earthquake. Our program has focused on the education of girls and…

Meet SSJ Associate Cindi Olesky

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | February 25, 2020

A native of Erie, Cindi is one of three children in her family. She attended Villa Maria Academy and received a degree from Kent State University. Cindi joined the SSJs as the Director of Finance in August, 2000. She became an associate in 2004 with Sister Christine Quirk as her mentor. When speaking about the…

Solidarity with the “dear neighbor”

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | February 3, 2020

A post by Betsy Wiest, SSJ Social Justice Coordinator. “Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of so many people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is to say to the good…