JOIN US IN MISSION

Who are we?

Helen Russell, CSJ: Vocation Director After teaching elementary school, Helen began pastoral ministry in Parry Sound, Ontario and later in Keewatin-The Pas, Manitoba, where she worked with aboriginal people. She became pastoral assistant at The Pas cathedral and assumed the role of diocesan contact for Development and Peace. She has a degree in Pastoral Studies and presently serves on the Leadership Team. She also leads a vocation visioning group for the congregation.

Jean Smith, CSJ: Candidate Director Jean has served at the Spirituality Centre in Peterborough as Coordinator and spiritual director. She has taught elementary school for 28 years and has ministered to divorced, separated, and widowed persons, as well as single pregnant women. She has served on the Leadership Team and in Administration. She has recently attended vocation/formation workshops and conferences.

Marilyn Meraw, CSJ: Novitiate Director A former teacher, catechist and pastoral care worker among the aboriginal people, Marilyn also brings 10 years of retreat and spiritual direction experience to this ministry. She has completed the formation ForMission program out of U.S and holds a Masters in Ministry and Spirituality from Regis College, TST. She has also served on the vocation visioning team. Marilyn died on March 25, 2006 after a short illness. Gloria Theobald is presently responsible for the novitiate.

Gloria Theobald, CSJ: Director of Temporary Professed Gloria taught in the elementary school system for 5 years, then as Associate Musician (Western Conservatory) taught piano for 13 years. She graduated from Regis College(TST) with a Masters in Theological Studies. After completing the Chaplaincy Internership at O.C.I she worked as a prison chaplain in the federal correctional system for 16 years.. Gloria brings her creative gifts and counseling skills to formation as she takes up residency in our candidacy house in Peterborough.

Click here to meet OUR WOMEN IN FORMATION


A NEW VENTURE

Becoming a Sister of St. Joseph ? What do I do? Where will I go?

Just briefly, the various stages of the Formation Program in our Congregation include:

1. Inquiry Stage:

• A woman meets regularly with the Vocation Director and an experienced spiritual director to discern the possibility of a call to the congregation.
• She attends vocation retreats, attends congregational events, and learns about CSJs.
• She expresses in writing a desire to become a Candidate.

2. Candidacy Stage:

• The woman enters into a 6-month to 2-year period of living with a community of Sisters, where possible.
• She continues her place of employment, pays room and board, and takes responsibility for her financial needs.
• The candidate strives for greater personal growth and insight through spiritual direction, personal prayer, spiritual reading, and other workshops and classes that further the 'God-quest'.
• She meets regularly with a Candidacy Director and expresses in writing a desire to enter the Novitiate.

3. Novitiate Stage:

• This is a two-year period during which time the woman lives one year with CSJ novices in a Federation Canonical Novitiate and one year with Sisters in our local novitiate house.
• She resigns her employment and enters more deeply into our congregation's life of prayer, study, mission and apostolic activity.
• She meets regularly with a Novice director and prepares to profess vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.
• She expresses in writing a desire to make Temporary Profession.

4. Temporary Profession:

• This is a three to six-year period of temporary vows in the congregation. It a time of continual discernment and affirmation of a woman's call as a Sister of St. Joseph.
• She lives in community and shares in the CSJ mission of prayer, study and ministry.
• She meets regularly with the Director of Temporary Profession and prepares for life commitment as a Sister of St. Joseph.

"Religious Life is an alternative life-form in the Church, a particular way of living the common Christian vocation. While not superior to other life-forms, it is nonetheless distinct and specific." Sandra Schneiders