2026 Jubilarians
Jubilee is the name given to the anniversary year of a sister’s entrance into religious life. See below for biographies of all our sisters who are celebrating Jubilee in 2026.
80 Years
Sister Kathleen Babin, CSJ
80 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Kathleen Babin (formerly Sister Regis) was born in Baton Rouge to the late Eunice Templet and Ferbos Babin. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge and entered the Congregation in New Orleans 1943. She professed first vows in 1945 and final vows in 1948. Sister Kathleen earned a B.S. in Education from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1956, and an M.A. in Theology in 1971, and also has a strong background in
Myers-Briggs and Enneagram studies. Sister Kathleen taught in elementary schools in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Grand Coteau, Louisiana from 1945 to 1963. She was local superior and a teacher at St. Joseph Academy in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, a novice director for one year and a provincial for eight years in New Orleans. Sister Kathleen worked part-time with Management Design Inc. for six years. She then served as assistant general for the founding community of Medaille for five years, as pastoral assistant at St. Thomas More in Baton Rouge for four years, and in regional and congregational administration for four years. At the St. Joseph Spirituality Center in Baton Rouge, she was involved for ten years as associate director and later as director. She is currently retired and resides in Baton Rouge, offering prayers for the many people God has put in her path over nine decades.
75 Years
Sister Patricia Borchardt, CSJ
75 years
Founding Community of La Grange Park
Sister Pat was born in 1933 in Chicago to George and Helen Brochardt, the youngest of three children behind Mary Anne and George. After graduating high school in 1950 from Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois, she entered religious life on September 7, 1950, from St. Mary of Celle in Berwyn, Illinois. She professed first vows in 1953 and final vows in 1956.
Sister Pat received a bachelor’s degree in history from Loyola University in Chicago and completed a program in learning disabilities from the Archdiocese of Chicago. She taught primary grade students for 26 years at various Chicago Archdiocesan schools until 1979. She then served as a functional coordinator at Bethlehem Center in La Grange Park for several years, as Director of Services at Christian Life Center in La Grange Park, and as coordinator of host participation at SHARE Food, a diocesan food program. She then served as an assistant in the bookstore and in the development office at Nazareth Academy for twenty-one years.
In her retirement years, Sister Pat is doing what she loves to do: cooking, baking, and sewing. She shares her love for sewing by creating animal pillows that are given to children who are in hospice or who have lost a parent to cancer or other diseases. Sister Pat often shares her love of baking with the sisters and employees at Joseph House where she resides.
Sister Juanita Shealey, CSJ
75 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Juanita entered religious life on February 2, 1951, from Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Cleveland, where she also attended elementary school. She graduated high school in 1950 from St. Edward in Cleveland. She earned her B.S. in Education from St. John College in 1960, and a M.A. in Guidance & Counseling from Kent State University in 1976. During the summer of 1974, Sister Juanita attended the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, Africa, where she earned a certification in African art, music and history.
As an educator, Sister Juanita served as a teacher at St. Ignatius from 1953-1966 and at St. Agnes from 1966-1968, and as a teacher and later principal at St. Aloysius from 1968-1974. On the college level, she served as Professor of Speech at Case Western Reserve University, and taught philosophy and was Campus Minister for eight years at Cuyahoga Community College. Sister Juanita then served as Director of Advocacy for the United States Department of Commerce in Business Development from 1981-1983, and as a speech
and psychology instructor at Virginia Marti College from 1984-1988.
In 1988, Sister Juanita began her tenure as Executive Director of the Catholic Interracial Commission where she remained until 2001. During this time, she also served as Small Business Coordinator for the Diocese of Cleveland from 1996-1998, and on the Social Justice Committee of the Congregation of
St. Joseph. For twenty-five years, Sister Juanita also hosted “God’s Saving Word,” a local radio call-in program heard on WERE 1490 am.
Now retired, Sister Juanita currently resides at Jennings in Cleveland where she is active in prayer ministry.
70 Years
Sister Antonella Bayer, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Wichita
Sister Antonella was born in Western Kansas in 1939, one of seven children
to Anthony and Anna Belle Bayer. She and her siblings attended a parochial school where the Dominican Sisters provided religious training and excellent teaching and where she first was introduced to religious life.
Admiring the spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph who had taught her parents,
she entered the convent in 1955 and received the name Sister Antonella.
After professing first vows, she began teaching at Holy Savior School in Wichita, Kansas, taught Gregorian chant to the other novices and postulants
in the evening, and played the organ for community liturgies and prayers.
Sister Antonella earned a B.S. in Education, an M.S. in Educational Administration, and an Ed. S. in Counseling and Guidance. These served
her well during a thirty-year teaching career in Kansas and Missouri Catholic schools. In the grade schools, Sister Antonella was known for her excellent children’s choirs. In the upper grades she stressed good use of English and cultivated vocations to all walks of life centered on Christ-like living. Student teachers were placed in her classroom from a nearby college to form
good habits and be guided well by sister. She also taught in the theology departments of several high schools where she was privileged to instruct students in morality and social justice classes.
Sister Antonella then spent many years at Sanctuary of Hope in Kansas City, an interfaith retreat center where she led retreats, days of reflection, and prayer groups. She holds certification in Spiritual Direction and in Religious Archives. She also served as sacristan, liturgist, musician, and caretaker of the chapel.
Currently Sister Antonella resides at Mount St. Mary in Wichita where she serves her community as liturgist and musician. She enjoys composing Masses and spiritual songs and is a published author of two pictorial genealogical histories.
Sister Anita Germain, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Anita Germain entered the Sisters of St. Joseph in Crookston, Minnesota, from St. Anne parish in Somerset, Wisconsin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from College of St. Catherine. For many years, she ministered in rural northern Minnesota hospitals as a nurse and nurse anesthetist. She was an instructor in nursing at North Dakota State University from which she holds a Master’s degree in counseling. She also served in the Crookston Diocese as a pastoral counselor and chaplain in the 14 County area. When Sabbaticals became an opportunity in the 1980s, she was introduced to wholistic medicine and healing, beginning a private practice of wholistic therapies.
With other religious, Sister Anita was a pioneer in alternative therapies, and sought to bring peace, love, and mercy to the lives of her clients. For over twenty years she practiced yoga, tai chi, therapeutic body massage, and acupressure therapy, and was instrumental in bringing these health modalities to religious communities in nearby states and throughout the Archdiocese of
St. Paul/Minneapolis. She was then able to touch many more lives as a staff member of a Sabbatical Religious Women’s Program serving Sisters outside the U.S. and introducing them to the healing powers of wholistic practices.
Sister Anita currently resides at Mount St. Mary in Wichita where she enjoys times of quiet prayer, spiritual reading, art projects, and nature walks.
Sister Adele Lambert, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Adele was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, one of seven children of
the late Dave C. Lambert and Aline Broussard. Sister Adele graduated from
St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge in 1954 and entered the Congregation
in New Orleans later that year, professing first vows in 1956 and final vows in 1961. She received a B.S. in Education from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans in 1959 and an M.S. in Religious Education from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans in 1975.
Sister Adele began teaching at Our Lady of the Rosary School in New Orleans, then moved to St. Joseph Academy in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, Sacred Heart in Norco, Louisiana, and St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge. She then served as principal at St. George in Baton Rouge and St. Rose of Lima in New Orleans. She ministered as religion coordinator at St. Thomas More Church in Baton Rouge and as principal at St. Frances Cabrini School and the Sisters of St. Joseph School in New Orleans before becoming Associate Director of the Office of Social Apostolate in New Orleans in 1987. She served as Executive Director of that Office from 1992 to 2002. She then worked for two years for the Archdiocese of New Orleans in the Office of Continuing Education for Priests, and in 2004 became the first president of St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge in the school’s 143-year history.
Retired since 2012, Sister Adele currently resides in Baton Rouge and continues to be active in the CSJ Associates Program, volunteer work,
and prayer ministry.
Sister Cecilia Okada, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Wichita
Sister Cecilia was born in Yamaguchi City, Japan, on April 7, 1926, one of eight children to Mitsuyo and Masakazu, Okada. She attended Yamaguchi Girls Teachers’ Training School in Yamaguchi, Japan where she earned a teaching certificate in 1946, and Kyoto Teacher Training College in Kyoto, Japan, where she earned a certificate in teaching the disabled in 1968.
Sister Cecilia entered religious life in 1955 from her home parish of St. Francis Xavier in Yamaguchi, professed first vows in1958 and final vows in 1961. She began her long career in education in 1946 teaching kindergarten, elementary, and elementary handicapped in Kyoto, and later in Osaka and Kumamoto.
Now retired, Sister Cecilia currently resides in Matsusaka, Japan, where she remains active in prayer ministry.
Sister Jeanne Oursler, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of La Grange Park
Sister Jeanne was born in 1937 in Evergreen Park, Illinois, one of four children born to Charles and Josephine Oursler. After graduating high school from Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois, she entered religious life on September 7, 1955, from St. Joseph Church in Downers Grove, Illinois. She professed first vows in 1958 and final vows in 1961.
Sister Jeanne went on to study at De Paul University in Chicago where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history and later attended Notre Dame University where she earned a master’s degree in education. She began her career in education in 1958 teaching at parochial schools in the Chicago area including St. Margaret Mary, St. Bonaventure, St. Cletus, St. Joseph Academy, St. Mary, and Divine Infant. She also served as principal of St. Joseph Academy from 1970-1972 and St. Cletus from 1975-1983. In 1980, she came home to Joseph House to serve the CSJ community as a Congregation Council member for
four years, then as Congregation President from 1984-1992. After her term in leadership was over, she served as Executive Director of the Intercommunity Retirement Project in La Grange Park, a position she held until 2003. That
year, she again began serving her community as the CSJ Motherhouse Administrator, a position she held until 2014, then served in support services until 2016.
Sister Jeanne is known as a wonderful leader and friend to many who filled many roles with care and competence. Now retired, she resides at Joseph House in La Grange Park where she remains active in volunteer work and prayer ministry.
Sister Kathleen Pittman, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Kathleen was born in New Orleans one of three children of the late Rita Barry and Julius D. Pittman. Sister Kathleen graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge in 1954 and entered the Congregation in New Orleans later that year, professing first vows in 1956 and final vows in 1961. She received a B.A. in History cum laude from St. Mary’s Dominican College
in New Orleans in 1959 and did graduate studies at Xavier University in New Orleans.
Sister Kathleen taught from 1959 to 1974 at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge and then served in parish ministry at St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Marrero, La., from 1974 to 1988. During her last year there, she served as Associate Coordinator of Pax Christi in New Orleans. After a year’s sabbatical, she resumed her work with Pax Christi and from 1991 to 1995 became Director of Parish Social Ministry for Associated Catholic Charities in New Orleans. She then ministered as pastoral associate for St. Gabriel Parish in New Orleans for 15 years.
Now retired, Sister Kathleen resides in New Orleans and is active with local associates and in prayer ministry.
Sister Fidel Marie Sauceda, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Wichita
Sister Fidel Marie Sauceda (Irene) was born in Kansas City, Kansas, April 19, 1941. She was the fourth child of six children. She attended St. John the Evangelist with the Benedictine Sisters in the first and second grade, then finished elementary school at St. John the Divine where she was first introduced to the Sisters of St. Joseph. Irene helped Sister Thomasine, her principal, every Saturday cleaning the church. She loved her work and became a very knowledgeable and prayerful sacristan. Sister Thomasine spent time helping her learn to play the organ, and she became an exceptional musician. She loved the Sisters of St. Joseph and through prayerful discernment, she decided at the end of the summer following her 8th grade graduation to enter Mount St. Mary’s Convent in Wichita on September 8, 1955. She was received into the novitiate on July 26, 1956, and given the name Sister Fidel Marie.
Her early religious life was spent teaching CCD in Ulysses, Kansas, and various counties of western Kansas for five years. She became a fulltime student at St. Mary of the Plains College in Dodge City, Kansas, earning her
BS in 1969. She continued her education and graduated from Cardinal Stritch College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as a Reading Specialist in 1979.
Sister Fidel Marie has taught in California, and in Claflin, Dodge City, Derby, Arkansas City, Haysville and Wichita, Kansas (Holy Savior and St. Cecilia). In 1996, she moved to Kansas City to care for her aging parents and continued to teach. She was in full time family ministry from 2003-2008. In 2008 she became a teachers aid and remained in this position until she retired in 2022. She then returned to Wichita in 2024 and currently resides at Mt. St. Mary where she is an active part of the prayer apostolate.
Sister Joann Schneider, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of Wichita
Sister Joann entered religious life following her graduation from high school in 1955. After the noviate, she taught in the elementary grades for a number of years. During this time, she graduated from St. Mary of the Plains College with a B.S. in Education. She also holds a certification for Spiritual Direction by the Institute of Religious Formation at St. Louis University and from the Washington Theological Union, Washington, D.C.
In 1965, Sister Joann began missionary work and joined our sisters in
Kyoto, Japan. Following study of the Japanese language, she began a
new ministry – journeying with our sisters in all phases of their formation as
Sisters of St. Joseph. She also engaged in opportunities to serve the sick, the homeless, and others in need. Sister Joann said that these many years living
in a different culture and speaking a different language provided many occasions for self-emptying and being open to do the will of God.
After twenty years in Japan, Sister Joann was elected to be a member of
the Wichita leadership Team and returned to the States. During eight years,
she served her community as the Formation Director, participated in retreat
ministry, and was available as a Spiritual Companion. For several years
Sister ministered to the elderly in Mt. St. Joseph Senior Community,
Concordia, Kansas, and visited the hospital as part of Pastoral Services.
Currently, Sister Joann resides at Mount St. Mary in Wichita where she is engaged in Spiritual Direction and is available to the sisters and residents.
She is active in volunteer work and prayer ministry.
Sister Evelyn Sommers, CSJ
70 years
Founding Community of La Grange Park
Sister Evelyn (Evie) was born in 1938 in Chicago, one of two children born to Roman and Estelle Sommers. After graduating high school from Nazareth Academy in La Grange Park, Illinois, she entered religious life on September 7, 1955, from Mary Queen of Heaven parish in Cicero, Illinois. She professed first vows in 1958 and final vows in 1961.
Sister Evie studied at De Paul University in Chicago where she earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and later attended Loyola University in Chicago where she earned a master’s degree in pastoral studies. Her ministry as a Sister of St. Joseph included being a primary school teacher and a parish social worker where she organized food pantries and community gardens. She also served as an advocate for women at the Cook County jail and courts, led nature journaling workshops and retreats, offered spiritual direction, served
her community in formation work, and ministered as a hospice chaplain.
Sister Evie resides in Elmwood Park, Illinois, where she enjoys being in nature and being attentive to its beauty, walking her dog, and meeting her neighbors. Some of her spare time is spent practicing watercolor painting, photography, nature journaling and prayer.
65 Years
Sister Susan Imburgia, CSJ
65 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Susan entered religious life on September 4, 1960 from St. Angela Merici Parish in Fairview Park. She attended St. Charles School (Parma) and St. Joseph Academy (Cleveland), graduating in 1960. She went on to earn her
B.S. in Education from St. John College in 1965, and later a M.S.E., with a concentration in Religious Education, also from St. John College in 1972.
Her first assignment came in 1965 at St. Peter in Akron, where she taught first grade for one year, St. Wenceslas (Maple Hts.) from 1966-68, Annunciation (Cleveland) until 1973, and St. Agnes (Elyria) until 1975. In 1975, Sister Susan began serving as Pastoral Minister at St. Colman Parish (Cleveland), where she worked with the Preschool and religious education programs until 1978. Later that year, she returned to teaching at St. Mary in Berea, where she taught kindergarten until 1980.
Sister Susan then answered a call to serve as Catechist Formation Consultant for the Diocese of Cleveland, where she worked for seven years. In 1987, she became Director of Religious Education at St. Barnabas in Northfield for six years, then held the same position at St. Peter in Lorain until 1999. That year, she transitioned to pastoral ministry at St. Basil in Brecksville, where she served as Pastoral Associate until 2008.
In 2009, she became Co-Director of the Cleveland CSJ Associate Office
and served in that capacity for 10 years. Currently, Sister Susan resides at
St. Joseph Center in Cleveland where she volunteers in the Congregational Archives, serves on the local CSJ funeral committee, and continues to facilitate online adult education courses for the University of Dayton’s Virtual Learning Community for Faith Formation.
Sister Rita Petruziello, CSJ
65 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Rita entered religious life on February 2, 1961. She attended St. Thomas Aquinas grade school (Cleveland) and St. Joseph Academy high school (Cleveland), from where she graduated in 1958. She went on to earn her
B.S. in Education from St. John College in 1965 and a Master of Science in Education, also from St. John College, in 1972.
Sister Rita’s first teaching assignment came in 1965 at St. Peter in Akron, where she taught seventh grade until 1966. She then went on to teach 8th grade at both St. Columbkille (Parma) until 1969, and Annunciation (Cleveland) until 1971. From 1971-1972, Sister Rita served as Principal at St. Anthony of Padua in Parma and from 1972-1977, she served as both principal and teacher at St. Thomas Aquinas in Cleveland. In 1978, she became Campus Minister at Kent State University, where she served until 1984. That year, Sister Rita came home to serve on the Congregation of St. Joseph Leadership Team until 1989. She then answered a call to serve as Director of Pastoral Care at St. Vincent Charity Hospital, where she served from 1991-2004. Sister Rita then served
as Executive Director of River’s Edge, one of the Congregation’s wellness, conference, retreat, and spirituality centers in Cleveland for many years.
Now retired, Sister Rita resides at Regina Health Care in Richfield, Ohio, where she remains active in prayer ministry.
Sister Cynthia Sabathier, CSJ
65 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Cynthia Sabathier, formerly Sister Maura, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1940 where she entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille
and professed first vows in 1961. She earned a B.A. in English Education at
St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans, an M.A. degree in English at the University of New Orleans, and a Master of Ministry in Theology at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has a certificate in spiritual direction and has done extensive study at numerous workshops.
Sister Cynthia began her ministry career, as an elementary school teacher
and principal in New Orleans and in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, 15 years total.
She served in congregational ministries 12 years in various roles including coordinator of apostolates, ministry development, assistant provincial and formation, and novice director. Another 12 years Sister Cynthia served as Pastoral Associate at Resurrection of Our Lord, New Orleans and at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Belle Chasse, Louisiana. In 2000, she became Executive Director of St. Joseph Spirituality Center in Baton Rouge where she served for 12 years, and on staff there totaled 19 years as spiritual director.
Sister Cynthia currently resides in Baton Rouge where she is active in volunteer work and prayer.
Sister Wanda Wetli, CSJ
65 years
Founding Community of Tipton
Sister Wanda entered religious life September 7, 1961, from St. Mary’s Parish in Dunnington, Indiana. She began her teaching ministry in 1964 and for
almost 20 years shared her gifts between three parochial schools in Indiana:
St. Matthew in South Bend, St. John the Baptist in Tipton, and St. Patrick
in Kokomo. For several years, she served as campus minister at Indiana University/Purdue University in Indianapolis.
Sister Wanda began her retreat ministry, Little Noddfa Spirituality Center in Tipton Indiana, after completing studies in Chicago and two years of spiritual direction/retreat ministry at Noddfa in North Wales. She continued her spirituality ministry and retreat direction at Little Noddfa and began teaching others to become Spiritual Directors in Beech Grove, Indiana. While dedicating her time and energy to this ministry, Sister Wanda also served on the Leadership Team of the founding community of Tipton and as Formation Director.
Sister Wanda currently lives at our Nazareth center in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she continues to offer spiritual direction and is active in prison ministry.
60 Years
Sister Janine Beniger, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Janine, a New Orleans native, was born to the late Florence de La Vega and August Henry Beniger, Sr. A 1963 graduate of St. Joseph Academy in
New Orleans, she entered the Congregation in New Orleans later that year, professing first vows in 1966 and final vows in 1974. She received a B.A. in Education from St. Mary’s Dominican College New Orleans in 1969 and an M.A. in Pastoral Studies from Loyola’s Institute for Ministry in New Orleans in 1994.
Sister Janine began her career as an educator in 1968 at St. Francis Cabrini Parochial School in New Orleans. She enjoyed a rich variety of educational ministries serving youth and adults alike and in various cultural settings. Sister moved to Minnesota and taught in elementary and high school and eventually joined the staff of the Northwest Regional Correction and Adult Learning
Center in Crookston, MN. She entered the field of pastoral ministry in 1980
at St. Mary’s Indian Mission in Dunseith, N. Dakota where her teaching experience expanded to include religious ed, and training in leadership and ministry skills.
Between 1990 and 1999, after returning to New Orleans, she served parishes in the Archdiocese of New Orleans through the Parish Social Ministry Program of Catholic Charities. Concurrently between 2000 and 2007, she was adjunct faculty in the long-distance learning program of Loyola’s Institute for Ministry.
In the aftermath of Katrina, she joined the faculty of De La Salle High School where for six years she was an instructor of Old Testament and Morality.
Sister Janine currently resides in New Orleans and continues to enjoy her vocation as educator in her 15th year at People Program, a ministry within the CSJ Mission Network.
Sister Jeanne Cmolik, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Jeanne entered religious life on September 1, 1965, from St. Frances de Sales parish in Parma, Ohio. She started out teaching at St. Rose Elementary School (Cleveland) in 1970. In 1973, she began teaching at Annunciation Parish in Cleveland and later became an administrator and did parish work.
In 1979, Sister Jeanne began ministering at Saint Joseph Academy where
she was a teacher and Spiritual Services Director from 1979-1984.
After 14 years of teaching, Sister Jeanne transitioned to a new position – Director of New Members for the Congregation of St. Joseph. In 1989, she was elected to the Congregation’s Leadership Team for a five-year term. In 1994, she accepted the position of Director of Religious Education at St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River where she served until 2004. At this point, the Congregation of St. Joseph began to discern joining with other congregations of Sisters of St. Joseph. During this time, Sister Jeanne was again elected to the Cleveland Leadership Team to help in this process from 2004-2007. She then served on the Interim Leadership Team which helped make the new, unified congregation a reality. In 2007, the Congregation of St. Joseph was founded and Sister Jeanne was elected to serve on the first leadership team, a position she held from 2007-2013. After finishing her term in leadership, she worked with new members again and was certified as a spiritual director.
Since then, Sister Jeanne has remained active within the congregation by serving on numerous teams and committees and currently coordinates the OCIA program at St. Christopher Parish in Rocky River. She resides at
St. Joseph Center in Cleveland where she is active in volunteer work and prayer ministry.
Sister Nancy Conway, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Nancy entered religious life on January 26, 1966, from Ascension Parish in Cleveland, Ohio. She started out teaching at St. Rose Elementary School in Cleveland in 1970. In 1971, she began teaching at Saint Joseph Academy where she taught Spanish from 1971-1978. After eight years of teaching, she transitioned to a new role within the Congregation of St. Joseph administration – Coordinator of Research and Development – a position she held for four years. She then pursued a master’s degree in social work and served as the Interim Director for Woman Space, a resource center for women in the Cleveland area. She then served as a patient advocate for women receiving care from the Maternity and Infant Care Program at Metro Health Medical Center, a position she held for two years.
In 1984, Sister Nancy was elected to the leadership team of the founding congregation of Cleveland and served in that role for five years. She received
a PhD in Organizational Development and along with Jean Alvarez, Ed D, created the consulting and facilitation firm, Organizational Leadership, Inc., which for 27 years served over 130 congregations of women religious. During the years that the Congregation of St. Joseph was considering joining with six other congregations of Sisters of St. Joseph to create one new congregation, she served on several committees charged with helping to bring that to reality. Once the Congregation of St. Joseph was formed in 2007, Sister Nancy was elected to the first Leadership Team and was re-elected in 2013.
After her years in leadership concluded in 2018, Sister Nancy returned to consulting. She accepted the position of Facilitation & Engagement Specialist with Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Inc., the project management firm that oversaw the construction of St. Joseph Center in Cleveland where the sisters reside. Sister Nancy currently resides in Rocky River, Ohio.
Sister Janet Franklin CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Medaille
Sister Janet was born in New Orleans the first of three children of the late Mary Elizabeth Kessler and Richard Blair Franklin. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans in 1962 and entered the Congregation in New Orleans in 1963, professing first vows in 1966 and final vows in 1971. She received a B.A. in Education and English from St. Mary’s Dominican College in New Orleans in 1967 and an M.A. in English from Louisiana State University in 1972.
Sister Janet began teaching at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge in 1967, and continued teaching for six years at St. Joseph Academy in New Orleans. She then served on the CSJ novitiate team in New Orleans for two years, later serving another two years as the CSJ Formation Director. She was appointed Vicar for Religious for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and ministered
as liaison with religious congregations for a total of fourteen years (1982-1996). During this time, she was presented with an honorary Doctor of Letters from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Sister Janet ministered in pastoral care at Bell Tower Assisted Living in Merrill, Wisconsin, for three years and as Associate Director at the Sangre de Cristo Retreat Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for five years. She then moved to New Roads, Louisiana, where she gave retreats and spirituality seminars around the country, particularly to elderly religious Sisters.
Now retired, Sister Janet currently resides in Baton Rouge and is active in community and prayer ministry.
Sister Joyce Joecken, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Joyce entered religious life on September 1, 1965, from Holy Family Parish in Parma, Ohio. She started teaching elementary school at Our Lady
of Angels (Cleveland) in 1965 and taught at various parish schools over the
next ten years including St. Colman (Cleveland), St. Columbkille (Parma),
St. Bridget (Parma), and St. Joseph (Strongsville) where she then became Director of Religious Education.
In 1976, Sister Joyce transitioned to a new role within the Congregation as Director of Formation, where she served for five years. She then served as Pastoral Associate at St. Martin of Tours (Maple Heights) until 1994, as
Pastoral Associate at St. Leo (Cleveland) until 1998, and then began a Chaplain Residency with the Cleveland Clinic until 1999 leading to certification by the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Sister Joyce then returned to
St. Joseph Center where she served as Liturgy Coordinator for two years while also serving as Chaplain at The Welsh Home in Rocky River until 2004. Sister Joyce continued her ministry in health care serving as the Director of Spiritual Care for the Altercare Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers in Ohio and Michigan until her retirement in 2016.
Since then, Sister Joyce has served the Congregation on the Community Life and Ministry Committee and the Budget Review Committee. She has also coordinated Jubilee celebrations and been available to support students at Saint Joseph Academy dealing with issues of loss. Sister Joyce currently resides at the St. Joseph Center in Cleveland.
Sister Pat Kozak, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Pat entered religious life on September 1, 1964, from St. Colman parish in Cleveland, Ohio. She attended St. John College in Cleveland where earned a B.S. in Elementary Education. She later earned a M.A. in Religious Studies from St. Louis University and a D.Min. in Theology from Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley.
Sister Pat began her teaching career in 1969 at St. Agnes in Elyria, Ohio, where she taught seventh grade until 1971. She then taught fifth grade for a year at St. Ignatius of Antioch in Cleveland before joining the staff at St. Joseph Academy in 1972 serving as theology department chair until 1978. She then served her community as Director of Vocations and on the Formation Team from 1978-1986. She then served the Youngstown Diocese as Associate Director of Vocations until 1987. In 1988 she began studies in Berkeley.
During her time in California, she served as co-director of Holy Family Center in Pleasant Hill, California and ministered at Christ the King Parish. She returned to Cleveland in 1998 and was on the staff of St. Joseph Wellness Center before being elected to the leadership team of Cleveland where she served from
1999-2007.
After her term in leadership, Sister Pat became a facilitator and consultant to religious congregations and a member of the board of Saint Joseph Academy
in Cleveland, which continue to today.
Sister Kathy Thomas, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Cleveland
Sister Kathy entered religious life on Sept. 7, 1966, from dual membership in St. Mark Parish and St. Maron Parish, both in Cleveland, Ohio. After graduating from St. John College in 1970 with a B.S. Ed, she taught at St. John Parish
in Lorain for three years. She then accepted a position at St. Joseph in Strongsville where she taught for four years. During that time, she began a master’s program at the University of Akron and in 1978, received her M.S. Ed. while also serving as Director of Religious Education at Immaculate Conception Parish. She was then hired as principal of the newly established Sts. Joseph & John School in Strongsville where she served until 1982.
Feeling a call to serve in pastoral ministry, Sister Kathy accepted a position at St. John Vianney Parish in Mentor. While serving there, the parish began the National RENEW Program and she was asked to accept a position with the Diocese of Cleveland as Director of RENEW, a position she held until 1989. She was then elected to the Leadership Team for a five-year term. While serving on the Leadership Team, she completed Certification in Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve and at the completion of her term, was hired as Assistant Director of Light of Hearts Villa in Bedford where she served until 1998. She was then asked by the Congregation to establish a new Conference Center which later became River’s Edge Spirituality Center. In 2002, she returned to her position at Light of Hearts Villa where she stayed until 2005. Following an opportunity for a sabbatical, she became Pastoral Minister at St. Clement Parish in Lakewood for several years. With a desire to return to working with seniors, she accepted a position in 2009 from National Church Residences as Service Coordinator at Colman Court Senior Apartments. She served in that position for five years.
Currently, Sister Kathy volunteers at Hope Center for Refugees & Immigrants, assisting with language and writing skills. She also volunteers at Fairview Hospital as a receptionist in the Ronald McDonald Family Room and in the neonatal unit holding and comforting babies. Sister Kathy resides at St. Joseph Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Sister Karen Van De Walle, CSJ
60 years
Founding Community of Tipton
Sister Karen entered religious life September 7, 1961, from St. Matthew Parish in South Bend, Indiana. She taught in Indiana parochial schools for several years before focusing her teaching ministry on art. She taught Art at St. Patrick in Kokomo, and St. Joseph Academy in Tipton. She went on to teach at
St.-Mary-of-the-Woods in Terre Haute as well as Cathedral High School, and
at the Indianapolis Art League.
In 1981, Sister Karen blended her love of clay work with spiritual direction when she began The Potter’s House in Indianapolis, where she met and worked with people from all over the world who share her passion for the spirituality of art. Sister Karen also served two terms on the Leadership Team of the founding community of Tipton and served on the Chapel Renovation Committee. Sister Karen’s clay pieces have been installed at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, at our center in Wheeling, WV, and other places around the country.
Currently, Sister Karen resides at St. Joseph Center in Cleveland, Ohio, where she continues to create the beautiful and functional pottery for which she is so well known.
40 Years
Sister Mary Ann Rosenbaum, CSJ
40 years
Founding Community of Wheeling
Sister Mary Ann was born on July 31, 1958, in Charleston, West Virginia, to Bartley and Helen Rosenbaum. After graduating from East Bank High School in 1976, she attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, where she earned a Batchelor of Science degree in 1980. She later earned a Religious Studies Certificate from the University of Charleston and a Pastoral Ministry Formation Certificate from the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston.
Sister Mary Ann entered religious life in 1986 from her home parish, Good Shepherd in Coalburg, West Viriginia. While still a candidate, she served as an auditor at the State of West Virginia Tax Department from 1986 – 1987. After completing her novitiate, a clinical pastoral education program and a three-month ministry experience at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston in 1990, she professed first vows in 1990 and final vows in 1995
In 1990, she became Director of the Pastoral Care Department at Wheeling Hospital which continues to today. She also serves on the board of Wheeling Hospital, on the board of Catholic Charities West Virginia, in the Congregation of St. Joseph Investment Committee and Community Life and Ministry Committee, and as Treasurer of the Sisters of St. Joseph Health and Wellness Foundation.