Mary DePaul Sabella, SSJ 80 Years
Mary DePaul Sabella, SSJ, was born in Crossingville, PA. She attended Crossingville Grade School and received a religious education certificate from Mission Helpers of the Sacred Heart in 1952. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph on August 15, 1945, … Read More
Margaret Ann Hardner, SSJ — 75 Years
An Erie native, Sister Margaret Ann Hardner attended St. Patrick School, Villa Maria Academy, and Villa Maria College, all in Erie, before attending Xavier University and Providence College. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Patrick’s parish on … Read More
Margaret Frank, SSJ — 70 Years
Sister Margaret Frank, SSJ, was born in St. Marys, Pennsylvania. She graduated from St. Leo High School and Elementary School, Ridgway. She received an M.Ed. from Edinboro University, Edinboro, Pennsylvania, in 1974 and a BA from Villa Maria College, Erie … Read More
Perpetua Dickant, SSJ — 70 Years
Sister Perpetua Dickant, SSJ, was born in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. She received a bachelor’s in elementary education from Villa Maria College, Erie, in 1972. She participated in many seminars and workshops on early childhood education in Washington, DC, Richmond, VA, and … Read More
Carmel Rojek, SSJ — 60 Years
Sister Carmel Rojek, SSJ, was born in Lackawanna, NY, and graduated from Lackawanna High School. She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Holyoke Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Science from the University of Massachusetts School of Nursing. … Read More
Sr. Margaret Pellerite, SSJ — A Woman Making History
Photo credit: Lorei Portraits Congratulations to Sr. Maraget Pellerite, SSJ, who was recently recognized as a 2023 Women Making History by the Mercy Center for Women in Erie, PA. This year marked the 30th anniversary of the annual Women Making … Read More
James Francis Mulligan, SSJ — 75 years
Sister James Francis Mulligan, SSJ was born in Meadville, PA. She attended St. Brigid Elementary School and St. Agatha High School in Meadville. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from Villa Maria College, Erie, and went on to … Read More
Rose Marie Chisholm, SSJ — 75 years
Sister Rose Marie Chisholm was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Sacred Heart Parish in Watertown, Massachusetts, on May 8, 1947, and professed her final vows in 1953. Sister Rose Marie graduated from Watertown … Read More
Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ — 70 years
Sister Mary Arnold Tann, SSJ, is a native of Hamilton, Ohio. Her family moved to Erie, where she graduated from Villa Maria Academy. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Villa Maria College in Erie and earned certifications … Read More
Barbara Ann Zakutney, SSJ — 70 years
Sister Barbara Ann Zakutney, SSJ, was born in Houtzdale, PA, to Stephen and Elizabeth Susko Zakutney. After completing high school, she graduated from Villa Maria College, Erie, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She also studied at the University … Read More
Michele Healy, SSJ — 60 years
Sister Michele Healy, SSJ, was born in Ridgway, PA, to Clair and Lulu Margaret McDonald Healy. Following high school, she received a bachelor’s degree in education from Villa Maria College, a master’s in theology from St. Bonaventure University, and a … Read More
Phyllis McCracken, SSJ – 50 years
Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, was born in Meadville, PA, to Robert and Pauline Snyder McCracken. After graduating from Franklin High School in Franklin, PA, she attended Spencer School of Nursing and Villa Maria College and earned a Diploma RN and BSN … Read More
Marjorie Adams, SSJ
Marjorie Adams, SSJ Formerly Sister Agatha 70-year Jubilee Sister Marjorie Adams first became acquainted with the religious life while living and studying at Villa Maria College. The spirit and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph, exemplified by joy, dedication, … Read More
Margaret Pellerite, SSJ
Margaret Pellerite, SSJ, formerly Sister Anthony Marie, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from St. Francis parish in Clearfield, PA. Sister Margaret currently ministers in Campus Ministry at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage, where she also served as a … Read More
Elizabeth Ann Niebauer, SSJ
Elizabeth Ann Niebauer, SSJ, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Blessed Sacrament parish in Erie. In her most recent ministry, she served as an Accounting Associate at the Barber National Institute from 2001 – 2014. Her earlier ministries included … Read More
Frances Therese Matia, SSJ
Sister Frances Therese Matia, SSJ, believes her vocation came from the example of her parents who were strong, practicing Catholics. “We attended Mass together as a family, the sacrament of reconciliation monthly, Stations of the Cross and prayed the rosary … Read More
Sister Ann Marie Cappello, SSJ
Sister Ann Marie Cappello, SSJ, formerly Sister Francetta, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Sacred Heart parish in Erie. She currently ministers as SSJ Mission Effectiveness Coordinator and Co-director of the SSJ Associates. Previously, she taught at Blessed Sacrament, … Read More
Jean Baptiste DiLuzio, SSJ
Jean Baptiste DiLuzio, SSJ, entered the Sisters of St. Joseph from Holy Rosary Parish in Erie. She currently ministers in the development and communications offices of her congregation. Her work in the ministry of education has included teaching at Blessed … Read More
Ann Stephanie Stano, SSJ
“Stimulated by the Holy Spirit of love and receptive to His inspirations, the Sister of Saint Joseph moves always toward profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction…” From the Consensus Statement of the Sisters of St. Joseph Sister Ann Stephanie … Read More
James Francis Mulligan, SSJ
Sister James Francis Mulligan—known as “Sister Jim” to many friends and former students—still finds a way to attend many Cathedral Prep sporting events in Erie. She’s been a dedicated fan since the 1980s, when she began teaching at the all-boys school. During her 32 … Read More
Mary Kay McNelis, SSJ
“In contemplative prayer, we seek to become the person we are called to be not by thinking about God, but by being with God.” Dom John Main
Marie Celeste Bindseil, SSJ
Sister Marie Celeste Bindseil, SSJ, originally felt a call to join the foreign missions, but she decided instead to follow what she considered her real call from God: to become a religious sister. Born in Frankfurt, Germany, she was christened Lieselotte Albina Bindseil, … Read More