CSJ Associates, The Women's Table, Evening w Priests & Brothers & more...

This week's edition of Soundings Update is now available on our website at:

 

• http://www.csjboston.org/news-and-events/soundings-update/soundings/
Follow the link above and then click on the words that say VIEW NOW

In this issue:

• Associate Commitment-Recommitment 2014
• The Women's Table Celebrates Five Years
• Rosemary Brennan, CSJ, elected as Chair of LCWR Region I
• Evening with Priests and Religious Brothers
• Jackson-Walnut Park Schools Celebrate Sisters of St. Joseph 140th
• Dates to Remember

Most of the articles invite you to view various slide and video presentations available on our website that expand the coverage of these events.

If you have not already done so, take a few minutes to visit these areas of our website and The Women's Table website and watch the videos/slide shows

An Internet hint: Wherever you go on our website you can always find your way "home" by clicking the flame icon in the upper left corner.

The video of the children at Jackson-Walnut Park Schools in Newton telling the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph is worth an Academy Award...don't miss it -- it's my personal favorite!

http://www.csjboston.org/who-we-are/celebrating-140-years/140th-opening-liturgy-and-more/

It's the third video down on the current list and can only be accessed at this link. It's not on our YouTube channel.

Finally: Our celebration of the Evening with Priests and Religious Brothers is included in this week's post on Cardinal Sean's blog at: http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/

You will need to scroll down toward the end of the blog entry for the segment about us.

Visit the Sisters of St. Joseph Website for our latest news!

You are invited to read our latest issue of Soundings Update at:
 
 
http://www.csjboston.org/news-and-events/soundings-update/soundings/
IN THIS ISSUE: 
Furthering Our CSJ Mission in New Mexico
— by Mary Ellen O’Connell, CSJ

Announcing Volunteers in Mission 2014

Accompaniment and Solidarity: Observers at El Salvador’s Elections— by Judy Swett, CSJA

 

Please note: the Date for Taize Prayer is March 13 [not 20 as listed on page 2] all are welcome!

 

 

Soundings Update: November 13, 2013

Our latest issue of Soundings Update is packed with interesting information. It's now available on our website at: http://www.csjboston.org/news-and-events/soundings-update/soundings/

Please check out the Dates to Remember on page 2 and think about joining us for some of these gatherings.



 

Boston CSJ Associate Commitment and more

In our latest issue of Soundings Update you can read about:

SHARE El Salvador Truth and Justice Tour which came to the Boston area during the last week of April

The members of the tour group gather with sisters and associates
 who traveled to El Salvador in December 2012

Our 2013 Associate Commitment Liturgy on May 1.

Our newest Boston CSJ Associates with their mentors before the May 1, 2013 Commitment Liturgy

There is also a great YouTube Video to watch  Here's the link.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h5Gcvb4dAs

Both were wonderful events.

The Women's Table new website & Soundings Update

Catholic Schools Week Assembly at St. Joseph Preparatory High School, Brighton, MA

The February 6, 2013, issue of Soundings Update is now on our website at:
http://www.csjboston.org/su-Feb-6-2013.pdf

You are also invited to explore The Women's Table new website and tell others about it. Here is the link: http://thewomenstable.org/

The Women's Table has some intesting program offerings coming up read below or go to:
http://thewomenstable.org/upcoming-programs/

WRITING WORKSHOP:
The Women’s Table of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston is sponsoring a 6-week Writer’s Workshop for women. This series helps women explore their life through writing prompts and provides an opportunity to connect with others in a meaningful way. No prior writing experience is necessary, just a desire to learn more about one’s life. The instructor is Mary Caruso who is trained in writing, education and law. The class will meet for six Thursdays from 10 – 11:30 am: March 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11 and April 18th. Please consider joining us! To register, please call Mary Rita W. at: 617.746.2056 or email: womens.table@csjboston.org.

A Time Apart for Mothers of Children with Special Needs
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Mothers of Children with Special Needs: Join Us!
The Women’s Table, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, is hosting a morning for mothers of children with special needs at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse: 637 Cambridge St., Brighton, MA on Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This will include time for quiet reflection, conversation and prayer. Come away for refreshment and time just for yourself. To register, please call Mary Rita W. at 617.746.2056, or email: womens.table@csjboston.org. View more information: Spa_2013

Sisters of St. Joseph Sounding Update 10-31-12

The October 31, 2012 issue of Soundings Update is now available at http://www.csjboston.org/su-Oct-31-2012.pdf

A variety of happenings are covered in this issue:

• During the past couple of weeks, 11 of our Boston associates and sisters visited our associates and sisters in New Mexico. In the same article you can read about our associate October Overnight Gathering in Nahant. Both the trip and the overnight were wonderful for all who participated. Learn more about our CSJ Boston Associate Program at: http://www.csjboston.org/ASSOCIATES.htm

On October 14, our Jubilarians at Bethany Health Care Center celebrated 80, 75, 60, and 50 years of life as Sisters of St. Joseph. There was a total of 16 jubilarians, 5 of whom celebrated 80 years. These sisters are pictured in the latest issue.

On October 24, St. Joseph Preparatory High School hosted sisters, associates, and Brighton employees for tours, prayer, and dinner to celebrate this newest sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Everything about the evening was inspiring and hope-filled.

The very next day, Jackson-Walnut Park Schools, another Sponsored Ministry opened the doors of it's "White House" for the Show House tour presented by the Junior League of Boston. The renovations of this historic estate house used for JWP administrative purposes were breathtaking. What a gift to JWP and our congregation! 

Soundings Update: May 16, 2012

The May 16, 2012 issue of Soundings Update is now available on our website. This issue is packed with happenings of the last couple of weeks.

• Students, Faculty, and friends at Regis College walk to support Bakhita House
• Gratitude Celebration for 2006-2012 Boston CSJ Leadership Team
• Boston CSJ Associates renew committment on Feast of St. Joseph the Worker
• Symposium on Consumerism and the Many Faces of Human Trafficking -- the link to this event was already made available in a recent post.

CSJ Associates' 25 years & Bethany HCC 50 years!

At the Associates' Anniverary Celebration,
each received one o the pins pictured here.

It was designed by one of our sisters. 

Our latest issue of Soundings Update is now on online. The link says September 21 but it really brings you to the September 27 issue. This issue reports on our CSJ Associates' 25th Anniversary Celebration and the 50th Anniversary of Bethany Health Care Center. Channel 5, a major local TV station offered a great segment on their news show called Chonical. You can view that as well at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/29266215/detail.html . The program may take a little time to load so be patiend.

Sisters of St. Joseph Soundings Update 5-11-11

This week's edition of Soundings Update can be viewed at http://www.csjboston.org/su-May-11-2011.pdf

Casserly House Summer Camp-a glimpse

As I've mentioned in previous posts, Casserly House is a  ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, the mission of Casserly House is to be a living presence in the Roslindale neighborhood, one that fosters unity of people with one another and with God. Casserly House's motto is "Rooted in Boston, Open to the World."

Each summer Sister Annie coordinates a camp for young people in the neighborhood. The theme this year is The Ocean. All the activities: reading, crafts, field trips, computer research, and more center around the ocean. Last week participants visited George's Island in Boston Harbor. This week they will explore a tidal pool in New Hampshire. But not before each camper has researched what they will be seeing and experiencing. Last week and this week I stopped by to take a few pictures. A number of our sisters and associates volunteer to help with the Casserly House Summer Camp. A few of the sisters and associates who were around on the days I visited are pictured here. I'm sure more will soon be available on the Casserly House Website.

Soundings Update: Human Trafficking, CSJ Associates, and more

The May 5, 2010 issue of Soundings Update is available on our website at http://www.csjboston.org/su-May-5-2010.pdf . In this issue you can read about

In this issue:

• Cathedral High School Students visit The Literacy Connection
• Human Trafficking -- Right Here, Right Now: April 24, 2010 Symposium
• With Love Enveloping Them -- Associates Commitment Celebration

Maxim Monday: Everyday Actions & Associate Commitment

Accomplish with great diligence and perfection everyday actions and unexpected ones, and never become careless in this respect. Maxims of the Little Institute # 90.

This past weekend we welcomed five new associates and celebrated the renewal of commitment of our Boston CSJ associates. As the brochure that advertises the associate program states:

"We are women and men who desire to share our faith journeys with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in a mission of unity and reconciliation. We come from ordinary walks of life, and while affirming our own vocations, acknowledge a call to realizing the prayer of Christ “that all may be one with God and with one another.Wherever we are, we strive to serve in a spirit of simplicity and joy."

Maxim 90 seems to speak the life of our associates who, although they do not profess vows, make a commitment to the Sisters of St. Joseph that they renew each year on the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker.

Sister Marilyn, who welcomed us at the beginning of the liturgy, spoke of the celebration saying:

We come together on this feast of St. Joseph to witness the mutuality of presence, of companioning that allows us to build a relational community where we strive to keep the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph alive and evolving in the neighborhood, in the global community, in the everyday....

I am constantly amazed and humbled by the many ways in which our associates live our spirituality and mission in their day-to-day lives. As Sister Marilyn also stated in her welcome:

"It will be the connection between vowed members and associates that will hold the passion...that sustains and enflames the mission.”

Sisters of St. Joseph - Soundings and Soundings Update

The latest issue of Soundings Update is available on our Boston CSJ website. The feature article is about our Associates Annual Retreat at our Retreat Center in Cohasset. The facilitator of the retreat was Sister Lorry Villemarie, SSJ, a Sister of St. Joseph of Springfield, MA, who wrote a book titled, The Labyrinth Experience: An Educator's Resource 

This issue of Soundings Update also has information about our Volunteers in Mission opportunity that is happening this summer. All the details about Volunteers in Mission are also available at our website.

The program is from June 12-19, 2010 and is a wonderful opportunity for for women, college age and older, who desire an experience of ministry, community living, and prayer.

In addition, the Spring 2010 issue of Soundings is also available online. The focus of this issue is our CSJ Core Value, peaceful resolution of conflict. The graphic at the left accompanies one of the articles.

Sisters of St. Joseph: Soundings Update 2/24/10

You're invited to read this week's Soundings Update at the following link: http://www.csjboston.org/su-March-24-2010.pdf

This issue has articles about:

• Our new Associate Leadership Team
• Our celebration of St. Joseph's Day

This issue also has details about:

• How to participate in the Paschal Triduum at our Motherhouse on April 1-2-3.
• An Anti-Trafficking Symposium coming up on April 24, 2010

Soundings Update and Happy Summer!

This is the last issue of Soundings Update until the end of the Summer. It is a three page issue with an article about the visit of some of our New Mexico Associates to Boston a few weeks ago. There are also many pictures from our June Donor Appreciation Day Celebration and our Congregation Picnic. Click the hyperlink on the masthead to go directly to the Update.

If you visit our website at www.csjboston.org you can also view slide shows for some of these events.

Happy Summer -- even though we seem to be still waiting for seasonal weather!

Associates of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston

May 1 has become the date when our Boston CSJ Associates renew their commitment.
Associates are women and men who desire to share our faith journeys with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston in a mission of unity and reconciliation. Our Associate program began in Boston 1985. We have several sisters in New Mexico and the Associate expanded to New Mexico around 2001. There are over 80 associates in Boston and New Mexico. A few years ago, I was invited to go to New Mexico to offer a day of reflection on our history and spirituality for the Associates there. A couple of months later, I offered the same presentation for our Boston Associates.

Last Friday the Boston Associates renewed thier commitment. There are also nine women who are candidates for the Associate program. The New Mexico Associates will renew their commitment in early June.

We offer the Associate program for women and men who are drawn to live the spirit and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph and desire to share in its response to the changing needs of the Church and society. Many other religious congregations do the same. You can even download a brochure about the program from our website.

Outreach to Women: A New CSJ Ministry

Our Vocation Team offered Taizé Prayer this evening. Before the prayer, there was an informal open house for Sisters and Associates to learn more about Outreach to Women [OTW]. I didn’t do a specific count but it seemed as if there were over 30 Sisters and Associates who dropped by to learn more about this newly evolving ministry.

This statue and beautiful arrangement of tulips was on a side table at the open house. It seems like a fitting way to image this evolving ministry.

While the goal of OTW is to provide opportunities for women to improve the quality of their lives, this goal is not exactly new. For the 135 years we’ve been in Boston, Sisters of St. Joseph have served in a wide variety of areas including education, health, pastoral work, and much more. The common thread has always been to deepen the relationship with God and neighbor without distinction.

Outreach to Women continues this way of being with others by responding to today’s needs. We have always sought to help women in need. Mary Rita, one of our Associates, is the Director of OTW and is networking with Sisters, Associates, and agencies in the Brighton-Allston area to further develop this ministry. She also intends to do networking in other neighborhoods where Sisters and Associates are present.