ARCHDIOCESE - From the chance to build relationships to increasing their opportunities in ministry, the local Sisters of St. Joseph are excited about what the future holds for them and their newly established congregation.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, one of the seven formerly independent communities that came together to form the new Congregation of St. Joseph, have a long history of dedicated service in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. The Sisters owned and operated McNicholas High School until it became an archdiocesan school in 1998. They also owned and operated the Fontbonne, a home for working women in downtown Cincinnati from 1893 to 1977. Through the years, the Sisters served as the primary staff at Guardian Angels, Immaculate Heart of Mary, St. Jerome, St. Thomas More and St. Mary of the Woods School in Russells Point. At least one member of the congregation also taught at St. Agnes, St. Augustine, Our Mother of Sorrows, Corryville Catholic, St. Mary's in Hillsboro, Chatfield College and Alter High School. In addition, many Sisters have served in pastoral ministry at parishes including St. Vincent Ferrer, St. George in Georgetown, St. Bernadette, St. Veronica, St. Xavier, St. Matthias and Our Lady of Lourdes. Individual members have also ministered in the areas of spirituality, campus ministry, group facilitation, development, pastoral care, as faculty at the Athenaeum of Ohio, along with working for the Council on Aging, St. John Social Service Center and the Association for the Blind. Additionally, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille were founding members of the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center and have served on the Sisters Advisory Council, Social Action Commission, Pastoral Council and Vocation Council for the archdiocese.

Given this history of service, Sister Caroline Benken, who has a background in parish and educational ministry, said she is "really looking forward to the new congregation's emphasis on ministry and the opportunities for collaboration with other Sisters. I've visited all the areas where we now have members, have gotten to know the Sisters, and there is a lot of excitement about what we have in common and what we'll be able to accomplish together."

Active in peace and justice ministry, Sister Caroline said the justice coordinators of the new congregation have already been working together for a year to determine what kind of impact they can have on issues locally and with an international focus.

Sister Joan Hartlaub, whose ministerial experience includes teaching high school math and college campus ministry, spoke of the benefits that the consolidation of leadership and resources will have for the congregation. "It's wonderful to have more people in ministry now so that we can provide better and more economical care for our ill and aged members," said Sister Joan. "We used to have Sisters in New Orleans who couldn't go back after Katrina. A lot them went to Wichita (another of the formerly independent congregations) where they are now receiving wonderful care."

She is looking forward to both the challenges and rewards that will come with building relationships within the new community. "The humongous challenge for me is going to be the leadership of the whole. We'll need to rely more on each other than the elected leadership. We'll be caring for each other but also reaching out and challenging each other."

"My most recent enthusiasm comes from the chapter we had after Easter," said Sister Maria Hill, who has ministered as a teacher and a principal and now serves as pastoral associate at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. "When we came together, I just sensed enthusiasm for the charism of our congregation. And, practically speaking, I feel our mission will be enhanced. We have fewer members in leadership now, which means more people will be doing outreach ministry, and we can start new ministries that will draw on peoples' interests and talents. "We did wonderful things as seven separate congregations. Think of how much more we'll be able to do together."