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

welcome to s’more . . . a new blog for your spiritual journey.

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 11, 2019

Warm summer days stir up memories of being a child and gathering with family and friends around the campfire. I can almost taste the sugary, chocolatey, toasted marshmallow delights that left us wanting more. One was never enough. Another one, please. Thankfully, my desire for more is much different today. The Sisters of St. Joseph…

comforted by the mission

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 11, 2019

“Shawls …made for centuries universal and embracing, symbolic of an inclusive, unconditionally loving God. They wrap, enfold, comfort, cover, give solace, mother, hug, shelter and beautify. Those who have received these shawls have been uplifted and affirmed, as if given wings to fly above their troubles…” …

meet SSJ Associate Jan Staszewski

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 11, 2019

Connectedness. That is what led Jan to become an associate in 2006. Jan’s connections with the SSJ include her education at St. John Grade School and Villa Maria Academy; and working at St. Mary’s Home of Erie and Saint Vincent Hospital. Jan said that becoming an associate seemed to be another logical connection. Her mentor…

Welcome new SSJ Leadership!

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 8, 2019

We are pleased to announce that Sisters Mary Drexler, Phyllis McCracken, and Carol Morehouse began serving a four-year term as leadership for the congregation on July 1. Sister Mary Drexler, SSJ, is serving as president, Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, as treasurer, and Sister Carol Morehouse, SSJ, as secretary. Sisters Claudia Dombrowski, SSJ, and Nancy Fischer,…

Plastic Free July is here!

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 2, 2019

Plastic Free July is here!! Will you join me and attempt to go Plastic Free for the whole month of July? I certainly hadn’t realized just how much plastic there was in my everyday life until I started to look around. I won’t lie… this is a difficult task but together we can do this.…

we remember . . . Naomi Wood, SSJ

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 2, 2019

Naomi Wood, SSJ, 80, formerly Sister Ann Catherine Wood, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on July 1, 2019 in the 61st year of her religious life. She was born in Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania, on June 24, 1939, the daughter of the late Francis and Anna (Sekelsky) Wood. She entered the Sisters…

we remember . . .mary julia scully, SSJ

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | July 1, 2019

Mary Julia Scully, SSJ, 95, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on June 28, 2019 in the 76th year of her religious life. She was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on January 28, 1924, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Anna Granahan Scully. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from…

honoring fathers, honoring Joseph

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | June 16, 2019

Sunday, June 16th is Father’s Day – a day set aside to honor all fathers and father figures. Billy Graham once said, “a good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” As I think about this, I am reminded of St. Joseph…

Green Apples for our teachers

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | June 14, 2019

The Justice, Peace, Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Team developed our “Green Apple” award to recognize teachers in the Erie Diocesan grade schools who encourage their students to learn about the environment. Teachers were asked to submit what environmental issues and projects they addressed in their classrooms. Each teacher was then presented with a “Green Apple”…

Human trafficking—Erie update

By Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA | June 10, 2019

Human trafficking happens everywhere—even in Erie. Because Erie is located on the intersection of I-90 and I-79, is two hours from I-80 and the Canadian border, Erie is considered a “pass-thru” city for traffickers. Handlers bring their victims to Erie for short periods of time to be sold multiple times before moving them on to…