Students from the Long Island and Brooklyn campuses of St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) traveled to Kansas City, MO last month to celebrate the 375th anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of the St. Joseph.
During the celebration, held July 18 – 20, SJNY students met with sisters from congregations across the country, sat in on keynote presentations and performances, participated in breakout sessions and learned about the rich history behind the Sisters of St. Joseph, whose order was founded in 1650.
Marie Mackey ’84, CSJ, who leads the Brooklyn campus ministry, was in Kansas City as a student supervisor and to take part in her congregation’s special celebration.
“What a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the 375th Anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph,” she said. “From a small village in France to a presence around the world, we are blessed and grateful to serve in so many ministries among so many different peoples, especially here at St. Joseph’s University. Our SJNY students brought energy and hope for the future of our CSJ mission and charism to reseed among a new generation of young adults and a world that hungers for unifying love, justice and community.”
Several sisters from the SJNY community were also in attendance at the celebration, including S. Helen Kearney ’67, CSJ, Ph.D.; S. Angela Gannon, CSJ, M.A.; and S. Kathy McKinney ’71, CSJ, Ed.D. (all of whom are members of the St. Joseph’s University, New York board of trustees); Senior Lecturer of Child Study S. Joanne Forker, CSJ, Ed.D.; and former University President Elizabeth A. Hill ’64, CSJ, J.D.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for us to attend and be able to represent SJNY,” said Johnathan Galo, director of campus ministry on the Long Island campus, who traveled with the students to Kansas City. “We are so grateful for the Sisters of St. Joseph and all the work that they have done locally and across the world. We gained many insights during this experience, particularly that of living out the charism of the Sisters in our own communities, so we are looking forward to sharing what we learned with the University community.”
Sisters from congregations across the U.S. were in attendance, including several from the SJNY community.
SJNY students had opportunities to experience community, reflect on the journey of the Sisters of St. Joseph and celebrate the Sisters’ achievements.
Students participated in small group conversations and Q&As as well as social events, all if which provided opportunities to make connections.
“Meeting different Sisters and getting the opportunity to have an actual conversation with them showed me how humble, gracious, kind and amazing this entire community is,” said Swornima Bhandari ’27, an SJNY student attending the Brooklyn campus. “All the Sisters are filled with love and compassion for everyone around them, which I think is a really beautiful thing. Their loyalty to their mission of ‘loving your neighbor’ is one of the most inspiring things I got to witness in this trip.”
“One major insight I’m bringing back is the power of community rooted in service, compassion and justice,” added fellow Brooklyn campus student Jawad Zaman ’27. “Meeting the Sisters and hearing their stories showed me how meaningful it is to live a life centered on purpose and unity. I’d love to share this with other students and encourage more participation in service trips and opportunities to engage with the Sisters.”
This was the second time this year students traveled and met with Sisters of St. Joseph. In the spring semester, SJNY and the Sisters of St. Joseph, Brentwood, NY funded a mission and service trip to Chicago.
