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.

U.S. Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph Issue Statement on Racism

| June 3, 2020

The U.S. Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph strongly condemns the police-killing of another black man on the streets of our nation. Our hearts are breaking as we mourn with the family and friends of George Floyd, as well as Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, David McAtee, and all the others who have lost loved…

Meet SSJ Associate Stephanie Hall

| June 2, 2020

Twenty years ago, in May of 2000, Stephanie became our Director of Communications and Public Relations and the first layperson hired to our administrative staff (see box). Two years later, Stephanie and her mother, Mary Lou Rathers, became associates. Sisters Margaret Ann Hardner and Nancy Fischer were Stephanie’s sponsor and mentor. Stephanie enjoys being…

Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania Call for Unity and an End to the Violence

| May 31, 2020

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are deeply saddened by the fatal arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the resulting violence in our nation, including our community of Erie, Pennsylvania. Like other citizens, we are also experiencing feelings of frustration, fear, and anger over Mr. Floyd’s death and the deaths of others…

petite Journeys Spring 2020

| May 4, 2020

virtual presence

| May 4, 2020

“It’s not what you do but how you do it, it’s not what you see, but how you see, it’s not what you say, what you know or achieve but it’s the presence, the presence you are.” The words of this song by Jan Novotka came to my mind as I reflected on the idea…

Meet SSJ Associate Fr. Dennis Martin

| May 4, 2020

Fr. Dennis claims Pittsburgh, PA as his hometown where he was educated by the Sisters of Charity. He credits the sisters and the priests of his parish for his vocation. In 1975, he was ordained as a Marianist priest and was accepted into the Erie diocese in 1984. He served at St. George Parish for…

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.