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2006 Jubilarians
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SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIAINSTALL NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania formally installed a new Leadership Team on August 15, 2007. The team includes Sisters Mary Ellen Dwyer, SSJ; Joyce Lowrey, SSJ and Moira Sullivan, SSJ and was identified through a congregational discernment process. On May 5, the congregation selected the new team, which was affirmed during a liturgy on Pentecost Sunday, May 27, 2007. Sister Mary Ellen Dwyer has served in Leadership as Treasurer for the Congregation since 2003. She will continue for a second term and assume the responsibilities of President. Prior to her congregational leadership role, she served as Program Director of Hospice of Crawford County, Inc. Along with SSJ Associate John Brown, Sister Mary Ellen developed a Hospice Program for Crawford County in 1989 under the auspices of Community Health Services and with the support of Meadville Medical Center and the United Way of Crawford County. The first patient was admitted in June 1989 and the program became Medicare certified by July 1989. Prior to establishing Hospice of Crawford County, she worked for the Visiting Nurse Association of Crawford County, Inc., Spencer Hospital in Meadville and Meadville Medical Center. She also served in the Department of Nursing at Villa Maria College in Erie and Spencer School of Nursing in Meadville. After entering the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1955, Sister Mary Ellen taught elementary school at Holy Rosary and Villa Maria Elementary Schools in Erie. She celebrated her Golden Jubilee in 2005. Sister Mary Ellen Dwyer earned a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Villa Maria College, Erie. She graduated from Spencer School of Nursing, Meadville, in 1961. In addition, she has attended numerous workshops and seminars related to her ministries. She is a member of the SSJ Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of St. James Haven, Meadville. “As I begin this new time of leadership ministry I am energized by the possibilities of ongoing transformation individually and as a congregation,” said Dwyer. “Our circles are widening and our consciousness increasing as to how we are called to bring our charism of unifying love to all our neighbors.” Joyce Lowrey, SSJ, will assume the responsibilities of Secretary for the Congregation. Since 1974, Sister Joyce has taught and advocated for children and adults with learning disabilities. She most recently ministered at Gannon University as Assistant Professor for the School of Education where she had been since 1985. She founded and was director for 21 years of the program for College Students with Learning Disabilities at Gannon University/Villa Maria College. She served on numerous committees at Gannon University and Villa Maria College and various community boards. She was President of the Board of Directors for L’Arche Erie. Sister Joyce taught at various diocesan elementary schools and in the experimental open classroom at Notre Dame School in Hermitage, PA. She was a member of the Professional Advisory Board for the Learning Disabilities Association of Pennsylvania, the National Learning Disabilities Association of America’s Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board for the Institute for Students with Learning Disabilities at College Misericordia, Dallas, PA. Sister Joyce entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1964 and celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1989. She graduated from Villa Maria College, Erie, PA in 1973 with a BS in Elementary Education. She later earned a M.Ed. at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA in 1978. She also completed additional graduate courses in counseling at Gannon University, Erie. “Growth and excitement have been a part of the past two years as Sisters and Associates began addressing our future,” said Lowrey. “It is only through the Spirit who has brought us to this point that we will be gifted with dreaming our future together at a deeper and more intimate level. It is with great excitement and love and, of course, some apprehension, that I begin this new ministry of service and commitment with the Sisters and Associates." Sister Moira Sullivan, SSJ, will serve as Treasurer for the Congregation. Sister Moira has been ministering in for approximately twenty years at the Regional Cancer Center where she has served as chaplain, patient education coordinator, in social service and community relations capacities. Prior to that, she served as Director of Communications for the Sisters of St. Joseph. For more than twenty years she was involved in education at various schools including Villa Maria Elementary, Our Lady’s Christian, Saint Patrick, Sacred Heart and Villa Maria Academy Schools in Erie as well as St. Agatha School in Meadville. She spent 18 years at Villa Maria Academy, 8 of which she served in Administration. Sister Moira graduated from Villa Maria College in 1964 with a BS in English and in later earned a MA in Education from Boston College. She also completed additional course work at Gannon University, Erie, and at the University of Vermont. "Leadership brings a special grace from God to further His design - and our congregation's mission of unity. All of our women are leaders - calling forth and enabling their gifts is our role as leaders," Sister Moira stated. Founded in 17th century France, the Sisters of St. Joseph first came to the Erie Diocese in 1860 to minister to the sick, teach children and serve in a wide range of ministries. The Sisters have staffed many schools, including Harborcreek School for Boys, and they established Saint Vincent Health Center, Villa Maria Elementary school, Villa Maria Academy, Villa Maria College, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, St. Mary’s Home of Erie and St. Patrick Haven. The Sisters’ presence has moved beyond hospitals and classrooms and includes pastoral, social and liturgical ministries in Catholic parishes, global mission projects, outreach to the elderly, rural ministry, campus ministry, youth ministry and numerous other efforts. Today, more than 350 Sisters and lay Associates continue to carry out the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania mission of unity.
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SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIAHOST FIFTH ANNUAL CIRCLE OF FRIENDS CELEBRATION
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania hosted their Fifth Annual Circle of Friends Celebration on August 18 at their Community Living Center on West Ridge Road in Millcreek. More than 400 “friends of the SSJs” attended the outdoor liturgy and picnic supper provided by the Sisters. The event was initiated in 2003 as a means of celebrating and “re-connecting” with the many individuals who’ve been part of the Sisters lives and ministries throughout the years. Invited guests included friends, family members, employees, SSJ Associates, benefactors, neighbors and many others. The theme for this year’s event was “Catch the SSJ Spirit” and everyone in attendance received a “Catch the SSJ Spirit” disk flyer. The day’s events included an outdoor liturgy followed by a picnic on the grounds of the Community Living Center. A highlight for the kids (and adults) were the third annual SSJ duck races. The children also enjoyed a variety of games and activities coordinated by Sister James Francis Mulligan, SSJ and face painting by Sister Michaela Fox, SSJ. This year’s Circle of Friends celebration included a surprise guest – Seymour the Erie Times news Seagull who makes appearances at various community events. Photographs highlighting the Sisters 147 year history in the Erie Diocese and photos commemorating the 25 year history of the SSJ Associates program were on display. SSJ Associates are Christian women and men who come together to share the nature and spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph to further the reign of God. “It’s very gratifying to be able to open our home and welcome so many of our friends to join us,” said Mary Ellen Dwyer, SSJ, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania. “Circle of Friends is just one small way we are able to experience the unity we strive for each day as we live our mission.” Generous donors who helped make the event a success include PNC Bank, C.A. Curtze Co., Stroehmann Bakeries, LC, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Troyer Farms, Giant Eagle – Summit Towne Centre, Grise Audio Visual Services, Michael Durst/Guy Allen & Sons, Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, West Lake Fire Department, Old Country Buffet and Louis Porreco. Founded in 17th century France, the Sisters of St. Joseph have ministered in the Erie Diocese since 1860. The Sisters have staffed numerous schools and they established Saint Vincent Health Center, Villa Maria Elementary school, Villa Maria Academy, Villa Maria College, St. Joseph’s Orphanage, St. Mary’s Home of Erie and St. Patrick Haven. The Sisters’ presence has moved beyond hospitals and classrooms and includes pastoral, social and liturgical ministries in Catholic parishes, global mission projects, outreach to the elderly, rural ministry, campus ministry, youth ministry and numerous other efforts. Today, over 350 Sisters and lay Associates continue to carry out the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania mission of unity.
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