WELCOME

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH

of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Come to the Waters, is a history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania written by Leonie Shanley, SSJ, and Mary Francis Becker, SSJ, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Erie in 2010. Click here to explore the book.

News

Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania Elect New Leadership

| July 17, 2023

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania are pleased to announce that Mary Drexler, SSJ; Phyllis McCracken, SSJ; and Carol Morehouse, SSJ, will begin serving a second four-year term in Leadership for the congregation on July 1, 2023. Sister Mary Drexler will serve as president, Sister Phyllis McCracken as treasurer, and Sister Carol Morehouse…

Rambler Podcast: Almi Clerkin, Exec. Director of SSJ Mission & Ministries Foundation

| July 3, 2023

Episode 27- Almi Clerkin ’81 VMA Executive Director SSJ Mission & Ministries Foundation Almi Clerkin was a recent guest on the Cathedral Prep Rambler podcast. She was asked to speak about her relationship with the SSJs and VMA and the characteristics of a good leader. Click here to listen.

2023 Appeal: May the Unifying Force Be With You

| June 13, 2023

The mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph — to unite all people with one another and with God by responding to the ever-changing needs of the world and serving the neighbor without distinction — is a unifying force. DO there is no try. Do support the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. GIFT…

Maxims — A Modern Take

More than 360 years ago, Father Jean Pierre Médaille, SJ, composed the Maxims of the Little Institute, 100 short sayings to help the first Sisters of St. Joseph grow in virtue. We share them here, along with contemporary translations developed by Susan Wilcox, CSJ, Brentwood, and a group of her students.

MAXIM 12

ORIGINAL

Choose to bear all the evils of time rather than the least of eternity, all the evils of nature rather than the least deprivation of grace, since all kinds of reasons illumined by faith teach you to live according to this truth.

Original Maxim 12
as written by Fr. Médaille

MAXIM 26

ORIGINAL

Seek in everything God's contentment and not anything else, and the better to practice this, remember in the entire living out of your life, in desolation, in sick¬ness, etc., to desire God's greater contentment without giving a thought to your own interests.

Original Maxim 26
as written by Fr. Médaille

MAXIM 54

ORIGINAL

Empty yourself of all human respect and of the least blameworthy concession, and declare, with a generous heart, never to yield in anything that would be against God's will.

Original Maxim 6
as written by Fr. Médaille

MAXIM 81

ORIGINAL

Whatever the virtue you recognize in yourself, never turn away from a true fear of God, conscious that his judgments are unfathomable and that his appraisals are quite different from ours.

Original Maxim 81
as written by Fr. Médaille

Read all Maxims

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