St. Michael's History at 1445 N. 2nd street, Philadelphia, PA 19122 US -
Sisters of Saint Joseph
Bishop Neumann asked the sisters to undertake the education of children as their primary apostolic service. The Congregation's response to this request set the major direction for the sisters' ministries until late in the twentieth century. The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia arrived at St. Michael's School in 1858 and remained until 2000.
The Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia traces its origin and spirit to a community of six women who came together in 1650 in LePuy, France, at the urging of John Pierre Medaille SJ. Through active service and contemplative prayer their lives would be "dedicated to the practice of all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy" that would "most benefit the dear neighbor."
After nearly two centuries of growth in France, six sisters left Lyons in 1836 and courageously transplanted their spiritual heritage, apostolic zeal, and educational tradition to the New World. They arrived in Saint Louis, Missouri, on March 25, 1836, and began the first foundation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph in North America.
Eleven years later, in 1847, at the request of Bishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Philadelphia, four of the sisters left to administer Saint John's Orphanage for Boys in Philadelphia. Inspired by the sisters' dedication, other young women soon joined the Congregation, thus enabling the sisters to enter into other areas of need. Their generosity in responding to each new call for assistance prompted Bishop Kenrick to describe them as "sisters ready for any good work."
In 1858, Mother Saint John Fournier, following the suggestion of Bishop John Neumann, CSSR, successor to Bishop Kenrick, purchased a piece of farmland, including a house. On August 16, three sisters moved to the house that has evolved into Mount Saint Joseph Convent. In 1861, the Chestnut Hill Congregation became independent of the Saint Louis Congregation. It received a Charter of Incorporation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1871. In 1895, the Congregation received papal approbation as a Congregation of Pontifical Right.
In the 1850's and the 1860's, the Sisters of Saint Joseph reached out to the new, poor immigrants arriving from Europe. Bishop Neumann asked the sisters to undertake the education of children as their primary apostolic service. The Congregation's response to this request set the major direction for the sisters' ministries until the middle of the twentieth century. While the ministry of education was their primary focus, the sisters willingly extended themselves beyond the classroom as needs arose. When the Civil War began, they volunteered as nurses. In addition, hundreds of sisters nursed in hospitals and in individual homes during the influenza epidemic of 1918.
We the Sisters of St. Joseph, have ministered to the ever changing needs of men, women, and children since the seventeenth century. Currently, we are engaged in all levels of education, health and social service, and spiritual and pastoral ministries.
Today, the Congregation numbers more than 1100 women serving, in large part, in dioceses in the Middle Atlantic states. Since 1984 sisters have also served in the Appalachian region of the (United States and in Developing countries)
The mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, flows from the mission of Jesus Christ, "that all may be one," and seeks to bring about unity and reconciliation. As Sisters of Saint Joseph, we live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another. Since our foundation, therefore, we have labored to alleviate the sufferings and injustices of each particular time and place.
Although our primary apostolic service has always been that of education, as mentioned above, we have also recognized our calling to the human need for compassion and assistance. Thus, as justice is a constituitive element of our ministry, we address, as far as we are able, unjust structures in our society.
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Seven Sisters of Saint Joseph celebrated a 60th Anniversary at
Saint Joseph Villa (Flourtown, PA) on May 17, 2003
Pictured from left to right)
Sisters Anne Horan, Adelaide Bennett, Lawrence Joseph Murphy,
Charles Bernard Corbett, Dolorata Cadden, Margaret Anthony Bendig (Died Sept. 9, 2005, age 81) and Assunta Bonner. Sister Anne Horan, entered from St. Michael Parish, (formerly), Sister. ST. PHILOMENE, SSJ, passed away Oct. 29, 2006, age 86.
Sr. Margaret Anthony and Sr.Assunta taught at St. Michael's!
All entered the Congregation in 1943.
Family members and friends joined the sisters for mass and dinner.
Favorite hymns, festive flowers, and
the telling of stories that carry many good memories
added to the day's joy.
Members of the General Council and of the Villa's administrative team and pastoral care staff joined Villa residents and staff members to offer the seven jubilarians their prayers and good wishes.
Sr. Margaret Anthony at St. Michael's - 1946
1924 - 2005
May Sister Rest in Peace
Sister Francis Daniel Brady, SSJ... Sister Francis Daniel (Catherine Brady) 95, a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, for 75 years, died on January 11, 2006 at St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there on January 16, 2006.
Sister Francis, one of eight children, was born in Philadelphia, where she attended parochial schools before entering the Congregation in 1930 from St. Michael’s Parish in Philadelphia. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Villanova University.
For more than 60 years, Sister ministered in elementary schools in the Archdioceses of Newark Philadelphia and Washington DC as well as in the Diocese of Camden. “Children always added to the joy of my day”, said Sister Francis, and she dedicated her entire years of ministry to teaching elementary school students, primarily those in the middle grades. In later years, she served as school secretary, receptionist and as an aide to the school nurse. Upon her retirement, Sister served the members of her local community as a convent helper before moving to St. Joseph Villa in 2000.
If education was her primary ministry and love, shopping was a favorite avocation. For Sister Francis, one of the benefits of being missioned at St. Callistus in Philadelphia was its proximity to 69th Street where she could window-shop and enjoy her favorite ice cream! While a resident at the Villa, Sister Francis still liked to dress up, go shopping and eat out with friends.
When asked what advice she would give to new members of the Congregation, she said: ... “God loves all of us and keeps us daily in His loving care. Try not to fret or worry. Seek advice from your mentors; they are always glad to help you. Be not timid about asking; we were all young once and we all want to learn the best way to use our talents” What made her words so powerful was the fact that she had lived them so many years with fidelity and grace.
Sister Anne Horan (formerly Sister St. Philomena), 86, a beloved member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Chestnut Hill, for 63 years, died on October 29, 2006 at St. Joseph Villa, Flourtown, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated there on November 2, 2006
Anne, the daughter of Jennie and James Horan, attended St. Michael Grade School and John W. Hallahan Girls High School, both in Philadelphia. Anne was very involved in parish life long before her entrance into religious life in the fall of 1943. As a young girl, she organized and moderated the parish Girl Scout troop. She was an outstanding leader who won the respect and admiration of her scouts. Her example and kindness inspired six of them to follow her not only in the scouting program but also directly into the Sisters of Saint Joseph!
Sister Anne received a Bachelors of Science degree from Chestnut Hill College and her Masters of Arts degree from Villanova University. Her ministry experience was quite diverse. Sister Anne began her teaching career in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and taught students in the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington, DC, as well as in the Diocese of Raleigh. Over time, she served as an elementary school principal, school librarian and parish minister. In addition, Sister Anne served as a Regional Superior for the Congregation. Her last ministry assignment was as local coordinator at St. Joseph Villa. Sister Anne became a resident at the Villa in 1995. Sister Anne was gifted with a magnetic personality and smile that drew people to her; whenever she organized an activity, her contagious enthusiasm drew support for whatever the task.
Throughout her life, Anne walked humbly with God. Sister Anne certainly knew herself. She was aware of her gifts and limitations. She knew that God was with her. No wonder she moved with such joy! She trusted herself. She had great common sense and was not afraid to laugh at herself.
During the many years of her illness, despite the slow dementia that came upon her, she remained a woman of great love and joy. On Sunday, October 29, Sister Anne had a new beginning, a beginning where now her heart burns in some mysterious way as she moves with her God in gentleness, zeal and joy! We are grateful to God for the gift of Sister Anne to all whose lives she touched.
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