Rutland Catholic Schools Honor Sisters of St. Joseph
Over the past 137 years, the Sisters of St. Joseph educated thousands of children in the Catholic schools of Rutland, Vermont.  Those years of service were recognized July 29 at the 2^nd Annual Rutland Catholic Schools fundraising event – “Honor Our Past.”

The Sisters were honored for “playing an important role in shaping the very community and character of Rutland itself” according to the event’s program.

The first five Sisters arrived in Rutland in 1873, but their ranks swelled as the need for teachers increased.  Over the years, Sisters would staff St. Peter’s School, Christ the King School and Mount St. Joseph Academy.  They would later found the College of St. Joseph.  In 2001, the Rutland Sisters and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield reunified to form one Congregation.

Service awards were also given to John Valente and the 1954 Vermont State Basketball Champions.

Sister Natalie Cain Honored by Coalition
After 17 years of working with the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, Sr. Natalie Cain is leaving her post there.  The organization honored her, as well as other staff and volunteers at its annual dinner in Williamstown, Mass. on June 3.

Sr. Natalie, a native of the Berkshires, developed the Northern Berkshire Neighbors program shortly after coming on board at the Coalition.  She said that at the time there was no clear model or plan.  “We were to create the path by walking it.  Going where people were, listening, connecting, getting to know the neighbors and the community and creating pathways…”

Sr. Natalie also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the area as a Sister of St. Joseph.  “I am happy to think of myself as one of the mothers of Northern Berkshire Neighbors.”

The Coalition was established 24 years ago to improve the quality of life for people in Northern Berkshire by organizing, supporting, and empowering the community.

St. Joseph’s Parish in Newport Recognizes Sisters Service
As St. Joseph’s Parish in Newport, Rhode Island celebrates its 125^th year, it also celebrates the many years of service by Sisters of St. Joseph who served there.  Many of the Sisters taught at parish schools including St. Joseph’s Academy, Sr. Joseph’s Hazard Memorial and St. Catherine’s Academy. 

Parishioner Laurie Swistak noted that from 1889, when the first school opened, to 1971 when all the schools and convents were closed and sold, 173 Sisters provided an education to thousands of Newport’s children. 

Earlier this spring, the parish kicked off its anniversary celebration, and welcomed Sisters who were able to attend including Sr. Mary Behan, Sr. Mary Bisson, Sr. Kathy Coyne, St. Ann Keefe, Sr. Alice Kenney, Sr. Margaret Kenney, Sr. Sheila Murphy, Sr. Mary Quinn and Sr. Eileen Shea.  Swistak said the congregation showed their love and appreciation with a “resounding applause.” 

New Computer Lab Named in Honor of Sr. Eileen Joseph Christopher
A computer laboratory at Notre Dame Academy in Worcester is being named in honor or Sister Eileen Joseph Christopher.  The school's principal, Sr. Ann Morrison, said she was pleased to announce that the new lab, opening in September, will be dedicated to Sr. Eileen Joseph who is retiring this spring after thirty-one years overseeing the Academy's library.  Sr. Eileen served as head librarian for thirty of those years. 

"It was Sr. Eileen's expertise and guidance that helped create the Sr. Justina Daly Library seventeen years ago.  The expansion of the library's technology is due in no small part to her leadership.  We thank her for her many years of service to the Academy, but, more importantly, for her friendship and loyalty, " said Sr. Ann. 

Sister Angela Deady Named Citizen of Year in Ware
Sister Angela Deady’s work as pastoral minister at All Saint’s Parish in Ware, Mass., has earned her recognition by the Ware Rotary Club.  Sr. Angela, along with Pastor Edward Fitzgerald, was named Citizen of the Year during a Rotary dinner May 11 held in the parish hall.

Sr. Angela visits the homebound and works with youth in the parish, among many other duties.  She says she was surprised and grateful for the award, but says it was really a reflection on the parish. “We have a great parish and a great community.”

Rotarian Claire Kobis says the pair was chosen because they give back to the community, which exemplifies the Club’s motto of service above self.  “They both met the criteria to perfection – they are both very deserving.”  Kobis said.  She added that the awards dinner drew a huge crowd from the parish, Ware and surrounding communities.

Sister Jane Morrissey Recipient of St. Joseph Medal
Sister of St. Joseph Jane Morrissey received the St. Joseph Medal from Cathedral High School during a dinner May 8 at the school.  Sr. Jane, along with several alumni, were honored for their outstanding lives of professionalism and commitment to Cathedral and its core values.

Sr. Jane is a former English teacher at Cathedral.  She says that being honored with the St. Joseph medal took her down memory lane to her days at Cathedral - to the 72 Sisters with whom she lived and the nearly 3,000 students, faculty and administrators.   

“I knew that I received this honor with integrity primarily and essentially for learning with all of them what it is to share in the mission of a Sister of St. Joseph.  Still I thank God, knowing the truth of words Emily Dickinson penned in a letter when still in her teens, "Gratitude is the timid wealth of those who have nothing.””

Sr. Jane also served one term as President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, and she was a member of the Elms College faculty.  She is currently a co-director of Homework House in Holyoke, a free afterschool tutoring program for at risk children.

Sister Eunice Tassone Named Unsung Hero
Sister Eunice Tassone has been named one of the Unsung Heroes of 2010 by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. “The Unsung Heroes are women who don’t make the news, but make a difference in their communities, businesses or volunteer endeavors,” states the letter announcing the selection.

Nearly 27 years ago, Sr. Eunice established a program called the Haiti Plunge, which brings teams of youth and other volunteers to work in Haiti.  The program operates through the Catholic Outreach to Youth Center in North Adams, where Sr. Eunice is director of development.

The groups work with a cooperative of nine villages in a mountainous area about 50 miles north of the capital of Port-Au-Prince to build schools, wells and other infrastructure. 

Sr. Eunice will be honored at a reception at the State House on May 19th.

Elms College Student Receives SSJ Service Award
Elms College senior Colette S. Green has been named the recipient of this year’s Sisters of St. Joseph Service Award.  Green, a 21-year old nursing major from Springfield, was selected because of her commitment to the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. 

In addition to her schoolwork, Green has worked at Baystate Medical Center, and volunteered with her church group and with the Elms College Campus Ministry.  She has also tutored local elementary school students and has done volunteer work in Honduras and New Orleans through the Elms Service Trips.

Green has also participated in the Elms Step Forward/Step Ahead Program since sixth grade and program co-director Eileen Kirk says, “Green exemplifies both the mission of the college and the Sisters of St. Joseph, as she is one works tirelessly and unselfishly in her ‘commitment to the service of others.’”

Green says that service is something she loves doing.  “It’s rewarding far beyond what any paycheck can give you,” she says.  The SSJ Service Award was established in 2004 as a way of recognizing Elms College students who exhibit “a spirit that echoes the love of humanity and dedication to service.”  The award was given during the College’s Honors Convocation April 18th.

Elms College is a coeducational, Catholic, liberal arts college in Chicopee, founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1928.

 

Interfaith Connections Project Recognizes Sr. Eileen Sullivan
Individuals with intellectual disabilities should be included in parish life and Sr. Eileen Sullivan has been working to make that happen at St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish in Springfield Mass for ten years.  Her efforts and those of others were recognized by the Interfaith Connections Project of Western Massachusetts during a celebration April 28^th at St. Michael’s.

Sr. Eileen said of the award, “I was humbled and delighted to share the award with three mentally challenged men who were recognized for their participation in the parish.”

The Interfaith Connections Project is a group of concerned clergy, individuals and organizations who are committed to the integration of persons with disabilities into local faith communities.

Sr. Mary Gallagher Honored by Catholic Library Association
The Catholic Library Association honored Sister of St. Joseph Mary Gallagher for her fifteen year commitment as the General Editor of the CLA’s professional journal, Catholic Library World during its April meeting in Minneapolis.

Sr. Mary is retiring from her position as editor, effective with the June 2010 issue. She retains her position as archivist and special collections librarian at Elms College in Chicopee.

During the group’s annual business meeting, Sr. Mary was given several gifts, including a collage of the June issue cover page with her photo and scenes from Elms Alumnae Library superimposed over it.

Sr. Mary says she is overwhelmed by the gifts and accolades she received but that it takes many people working together to publish an issue including several Sisters of St. Joseph who serve as reviewers of books and media.

Sisters Meet Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Two Sisters of St. Joseph had the honor of meeting Archbishop Desmond Tutu while he was in Springfield recently.  Sisters Eleanor Dooley and Mary T. Shea attended Tutu’s Inaugural Address at the opening of the Desmond Tutu Public Health Awareness Series at Symphony Hall April 20.

The multi-year series is designed to advance public health awareness, prevention through education and the transformative power of teaching and ideas co-sponsored by American International College and The Medical Knowledge Institute. 

During their brief conversation, Sisters Eleanor and Mary thanked the Archbishop for coming to Springfield to address the community on the important issues dealing regarding worldwide healthcare.

Mont Marie Health Care Center Scores Highest in Western Mass on Family Survey
Family members rate the care that their loved ones receive at the Mont Marie Health Care Center as the best in Western Massachusetts, according to a survey just released by the State Department of Public Health.

The Mont Marie Health Care Center, a not-for-profit skilled nursing facility owned and operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, was among 430 nursing homes surveyed by the state last fall.

The Health Care Center scored 4.79 in overall satisfaction, well above both the statewide average of 4.22 and the Western Mass average of 4.20 (on a scale of 1-5).

When asked if they would recommend the Mont Marie Health Care Center to a friend or family member, 98% of the respondents said “yes.”  Commenting on the high score, Center Administrator Sister Elizabeth Sullivan said, “The numbers indicate the trust level and credibility that family members have in our staff, who respond to the needs of residents on a daily basis with compassion, respect and diligence.”

The survey collected detailed information about nursing home staff, physical environment, activities, personal care services, food and meals and resident’s personal rights.  It also asked respondents to rate overall satisfaction and ability to meet residents’ needs.  Surveys were mailed to approximately 34,600 family members of nursing home residents across the state.

This is the third time the state has conducted this survey.  The Mont Marie Health Care Center scored 4.64 in the first survey in 2005 and 4.63 in 2007.  

The Mont Marie Health Care Center is a licensed 84-bed facility.  Originally built as an infirmary for the Sisters of St. Joseph, the Center has been open to the public since 1995. 

Construction on Schedule for New Senior Housing Project
The new St. Joseph Residence at Mont Marie in Holyoke is expected to open in late September 2010, as planned.

The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph is financing the facility with a $4.3 million Section 202 Capital Advance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the project.  The grant will also provide a three-year rental subsidy of $438,000.  Additional funding came from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development.

This is the second time in three years that the Congregation has been awarded HUD funding for a senior housing project.  

Sister Mary Quinn, President of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, says, “St. Joseph Residence will respond to our neighbors who are in need of affordable housing as well as supportive services. This project speaks to the heart of who we are as Sisters of St. Joseph serving our “dear neighbors.”  

HUD Project Manager Sheila Galicki says of the project, “The Sisters of St. Joseph are wonderful partners.  Their mission mirrors HUD’s mission of providing affordable, safe housing for the elderly.”

The two-story facility will include 30 one-bedroom low income apartments for people over 62 years of age with varying needs for supportive services.  The Sisters of St. Joseph, co-sponsoring the project with Mercy Housing, designed the facility to provide housing that prolongs independent living as an alternative to long term care placement.  

All apartments will be of senior-friendly design and a percentage will also be handicapped accessible.  The building will include a community room with kitchen, a computer/sitting room and a large courtyard for recreation.  The facility, at 38 Lower Westfield Road, will sit on the east side of the Mont Marie campus overlooking the Connecticut River valley.

Information about applications is available from property manager Sandy Pelletier at 413-532-9356.