News

We want to keep you in the loop of what’s happening in the SSJ Erie community. Browse through this section to explore our most recent publications, our Facebook feed, our Jubilarians' bios, and the most recent obituaries of our Sisters who have passed.

We remember . . . Kathleen Kirsch, SSJ

| March 26, 2021

Sister Kathleen Kirsch, SSJ, formerly SisterMary Leo, 93, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania, died on March 25, 2021. Sister Kathleen was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, on August 2, 1927, the daughter of the late Leo and Adelaide (Miller) Kirsch. She graduated from Villa Maria Academy, Erie, PA, in 1945 and continued…

Virtual Events Planned to Celebrate Catholic Sisters Week

| March 1, 2021

“Feeding the Soul, Feeding the Hungry” is the theme for local initiatives planned for Catholic Sisters Week, March 8-14. A virtual kick-off event featuring Sister Carol Zinn, SSJ, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR), and Kathy Dahlkemper, Erie County (Pa.) Executive is slated for Sunday, March 7 at 7 p.m. on…

Earthly Shadow of the Heavenly Father

| March 1, 2021

Our theme for St. Joseph Day this year reflects on Joseph being the “earthly shadow of the Heavenly Father.” This is one of the virtues that Pope Francis in his Apostolic Letter “Patris corde” (With a Father’s Heart) attributes to St. Joseph. As I thought about this virtue, I began reflecting on the word shadow….

Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity

| February 2, 2021

Black History Month began in 1915, a half-century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. That year, Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, and prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded what is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This organization is dedicated to researching and promoting the achievements of Black…

Following God’s Will Amidst a Changing Society

| February 2, 2021

by SSJ Associate Elaine Clyburn The following article was written by Elaine Clyburn, one of the first Associates welcomed by the SSJs in Erie. Her story was published in the Winter 2014-15 issue of Journeys. We are sharing it again during this year’s Black History month. In 1982, allowing God to lead me, I became…

Year of St. Joseph

| February 2, 2021

Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the declaration of St. Joseph as the Patron of the Universal Church by Pope Pius IX, Pope Francis has declared December 8, 2020 – December 8, 2021, as the “Year of St. Joseph.” In his Apostolic Letter entitled Patris Corde (with a father’s heart), Pope Francis shares some personal reflections…

PHOTO AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE: (l-r) Eva Mastromatteo of Erie News Now interviews Stephanie Hall, SSJ Associate and Communications Director, and Nancy Fischer, SSJ, as part of a 5-part series during Catholic Sisters Week.