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SSJ Spirit of Courage Awards |
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SSJ Spirit of Courage Awards |
2007 SSJ Spirit of Courage Honorees
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What is the SSJ Spirit of Courage?
In 1997, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania announced the
beginning of The Courage To Come
Back in the
Erie Diocese. The Courage To Come Back program had a two-fold purpose: to honor individuals who have shown remarkable
courage in recovery from accident, injury, illness, addiction or economic
adversity; and, to raise funds to support the various community service
projects of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The Sisters of St. Joseph adopted the Courage idea because it was a natural fit with their many ministries of education, health care, care for the elderly, social work, finding shelter for the homeless and affordable housing for mothers and children. In celebration of the tenth anniversary of Courage, in 2006 the name was changed to the SSJ Spirit of Courage Awards.
The quiet, daily acts of ordinary people who refuse to give up in the face of illness, injury or other adversity represent courage in its truest form. Yet, all too often, these people struggle alone with no fanfare and little or no recognition for their courage. They are the heart of the SSJ Spirit of Courage.
The
highlight of
the SSJ Spirit of Courage program is the Awards Dinner, which is held each fall. A variety of
sponsorship opportunities for the dinner are available, all designed to
give the appropriate recognition that is deserved for supporting the
ministries and community service projects of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
The tremendous success of the SSJ Spirit of Courage has allowed the Sisters of St. Joseph to continue seeking and establishing ministries that serve the community. With nearly 350 Sisters and lay Associates, the congregation continues to affirm its mission of unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God by undertaking whatever ministry that might bring about unity and by continuously responding to the changing needs of the world. |
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How
can I nominate someone for a SSJ Spirit of Courage Award, or get involved
with the program? You can download a nomination form, submit an on-line nomination, or contact Kristina Huber at 814-836-4202 or to: kristina.huber@ssjerie.org How are the winners selected? Each year, the Sisters ask for nominations from the community. Anybody can nominate someone for a SSJ Spirit of Courage Award. The nominations are carefully reviewed by a selection committee that is comprised of volunteers from within the community – not Sisters. The selection committee ultimately determines each year’s honorees. How does the SSJ Spirit of Courage program benefit the Sisters of St. Joseph? Many individuals and businesses generously support the SSJ Spirit of Courage program throughout the year. Through this support, the SSJ Spirit of Courage program helps the Sisters raise funds to continue serving the community through a variety of ministries. What types of things do the Sisters do with the money raised through the SSJ Spirit of Courage program?
There are few people in the area whose lives have not been touched,
directly or indirectly, by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Sisters'
presence has moved beyond hospitals and classrooms and includes numerous
other projects and ministries thanks, in part, to the success of the
SSJ Spirit of Courage. This has allowed the Sisters to continue supporting ministries
such as the Sisters
of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network (SSJNN). The Sisters also
continued improvements to the homes in their
Bethany
House Ministry that works in conjunction with Erie Dawn to
provide affordable housing to women and children.
Erie
Dawn is collaboration with the Sisters of Mercy and the
Benedictine Sisters of Erie.
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