Sisters of St. Joseph form new congregation

By Eileen Connelly, OSU

ARCHDIOCESE - Through a faith-filled decision that will enable them to ensure the future viability of their mission and combine resources to better address the many needs of today's world, seven communities of Sisters of St. Joseph have come together as one to form the new Congregation of St. Joseph.

The new community is comprised of seven formerly independent congregations - the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cleveland, Ohio; LaGrange, Ill.; Nazareth, Mich.; Medaille (Ohio, Minnesota and Louisiana); Tipton, Ind.; Wheeling, W.Va.; and Wichita Kansas.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Sisters share in an Aymara Ritual . . . weaving provides ways of looking at relationships - those that bind and those that free - during a morning prayer at the inaugural Chapter.

All seven founding congregations share a common history, which makes their decision to "be and act more as one" particularly meaningful.

"Although we were seven autonomous congregations, we all trace our roots back to the first Sisters of St. Joseph established in LePuy, France, in 1650," explained Sister Phyllis Manda, former president of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille. "And, we are all dedicated to the same mission from LePuy: to work for unity and reconciliation among all people and unity and reconciliation of all people with God. Today, we think of that as being inclusive of all God's people and reverencing all cultures and religions."

According to Sister Phyllis, the discernment and decision-making process, which spanned four years, was inclusive of every member and encouraged input from everyone. "Over the past four years, we have had hundreds of discussions and dozens of intercommunity meetings, focus groups and other events, so that all of the members of our communities could interact, contribute ideas and express various perspectives," she said.

In December of 2005 and January 2006, all seven communities voted to become one congregation, thereby ensuring the future vitality of their mission by focusing their knowledge, talents, experiences and other resources on their shared charism of unity and reconciliation.

"Fundamentally, the desire 'to do and act more as one' drove our journey to become one congregation," recalled Sister Nancy Conway of Cleveland, who has been designated president of the new congregation.

In their discussions, the Sisters identified seven shared values that will serve as the foundation of the new congregation's work as its members seek to live the Gospel in today's world. Those values are: attentiveness to the Spirit, faithfulness to prayer and contemplation, reverencing unity and diversity, furthering social and economic justice, developing right relationships, harmony with all creation and embracing the future.

The new Congregation of St. Joseph was approved by the Vatican March 19, the feast of St. Joseph. From April 10 to 14, 400 delegates gathered in Chicago for the congregation's first general chapter, an assembly of the community for the purpose of reflecting on the fidelity to its charism (the congregation's defining values) and mission. The delegates at the meeting elected seven members to the congregation's first central leadership team for a six-year term, including Sister Jeannie Masterson of Cincinnati, and approved a provisional constitution.

"Our statement to work for systemic change is our sacred promise to God and each other," Sister Nancy explained. "This is how we experience the Spirit's call to be God's great love in the world today."

St. Joseph Sister Janet Roesener of Cincinnati, who has served as consultant and facilitator for many religious communities and played a key role in the transition process for her own community, said the establishment of the new congregation is not only significant for the St. Joseph Sisters but is indicative of the path other communities are taking. "There are so many congregations looking to the future and asking 'how are we going to live our mission in the best way possible and be able to pass on to our successors the charism and ministry that we believe in. I certainly hope religious continue to move in this direction and determine how best they can truly move into viable future, because I truly believe in religious life for the sake of the church and for those who are called to it."