Sept. 7, 2016

Among the nearly 700 Sisters of St. Joseph who recently attended the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Federation held in Orlando in early July were local Sisters of St. Joseph Kathleen Mary DeBoalt, Mary Louise Fiedler, Bethany Fitzgerald, Constance Marie Sylver and SSJ Associates Gladys Cameron of Massena and Kathy Robinson, Norfolk. 

The federation is a union of Sisters of St. Joseph of the United States who claim a common origin in the foundation at LePuy, France in 1650 and which now embraces approximately 4500 Sisters and 2900 Associates among 16 Congregations throughout the U.S.

One of the presentations at the Orlando gathering focused on challenges that the Sisters meet in finding where God is calling them in the midst of shifting demographics. 

Another presentation took the participants from an institute into a movement reminding them that people all long to be part of the flow of something greater.

Some issues of social justice were discussed at length. The Sisters were encouraged to create an awareness and advocacy network concerning labor trafficking and the exploitation of farm workers in the United States.

In a conflicted 21st century world, the Sisters of Saint Joseph seek to bring their traditions and vision of life in a way that will speak to society and be a positive influence for change.