With
the advice and support of Bishop John Neumann our sisters
acquired our first novitiate and academy in McSherrystown,
PA in 1854. In 1858 they purchased the Middleton family
home, our current administrative center in Chestnut Hill,
Philadelphia and the first site of Mount Saint Joseph
Academy.
Our sisters’ whole-hearted response to the educational
needs of new immigrants, in both urban and rural settings,
focused energy in schools of every kind and at every
level. We often followed a pattern of establishing free
schools partnered with academies for paying students.
At the same time we met the emerging needs of families
in creative ways.
In the 19th and 20th centuries our sisters’ responses
included the care of orphans, children with special
needs, widows, formation of catechists, nursing during
the Civil War and the influenza epidemic of 1918. Our
historical response to peoples’ needs has evolved
into a variety of current ministries.
Vatican Council II called upon religious congregations
to return to the original inspiration of their foundation.
We responded to this call faithfully and reflectively.
We began to study our early documents and to renew our
relationship with other
groups of Sisters of Saint Joseph to help us to
understand better our founding spirit.
These efforts have led us, our associates,
and our lay partners to deepen our commitment to our
common mission:
We live and work
so that all people may be united with God and with one
another.
Our Story Continues...
