The Sisters of St. Joseph are a group of vowed women who have been serving the people of God, the “dear neighbor,” since our founding in LePuy, France in 1650.  In 1836, our Sisters came to the United States and eventually found their way to Northwestern Pennsylvania in 1860.  Since then, we have served the 13 counties of the Erie Diocese and have ministered in numerous foreign lands including Africa, Australia, India, South America, Mexico, Canada and El Salvador.  Today, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania remain an active presence within the Diocese of Erie and beyond.  Some of our Sisters are living and ministering in other parts of the United States and Canada, as well. 
     Our SSJ Associate program, which was established in 1982, allows lay men and women – from all walks of life – to join with us and share in our mission, our community, our prayer and our works.
     Today, nearly 350 Sisters and Associates in Northwestern Pennsylvania continue to respond to the needs of the “dear neighbor.”