The Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation
History
2015
With much research, discussion, and prayerful discernment, the Sisters once again showed their initiative and chose a charitable trust to serve the needs of the Congregation and its ministries.
On January 1, 2015, the Sisters of St. Joseph established the Sisters of St. Joseph Mission & Ministries Foundation (SSJMMF) as the fundraising and grantmaking arm of the congregation. While the primary work of the SSJMMF is fundraising, its fundamental purpose is uniting with community members to advance the SSJ mission for future generations.
The SSJMMF, an independent 501(c)3, was established to engage more people, foster more relationships, and, have the resources to fund existing ministries, new ministries, and like-minded community efforts while caring for the Sisters. It was funded though monies the congregation received when it relinquished sponsorship of Saint Vincent Hospital, now Allegheny Health Network/Saint Vincent Hospital.
The first Board of Trustees, including the SSJ Leadership, meticulously designed the organization with Executive Director, Dotty Hanna, and Administrative Assistant, Carol Hermann. The Trustees and staff are diligently working to take the SSJMMF to the next level, engaging donors in leading-edge ways to invest in the SSJ Mission.
Upon Dotty’s retirement in 2022, Almitra Clerkin was named Executive Director, to lead the dedicated Foundation Team including Cathy Fresch, Chief Vision Officer, Carol Hermann, Development Coordinator/Database Administrator, and Carleen Onuschak, Staff Accountant.
Along with serving the needs of the Congregation, the Foundation
also supports the SSJ sponsored ministries:
In 2025, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania will be celebrating their 165th Anniversary.
Please contact us if you have special memories to share. Contact Almi Clerkin at: almi.clerkin@ssjerie.org or 814-836-4202.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania
History
2024
The Sisters continue active ministries under the leadership of Sr. Mary Drexler, Sr. Carol Morehouse, and Sr. Phyllis McCracken.
2016
The Sisters welcomed the first Agrégées. These women go through a 3-year formation then take non-canonical life committed vows. Like all Christians, these women are responding to the call to deepen their relationship with Christ and by their Vow of Fidelity, they seek to live in such a way as to further the mission of the Congregation.
2015
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern PA made a decision to no longer accept women in formation in Erie. As a member of The Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, interested women are guided to confer with the Federation and guided to reach their vocation of becoming an SSJ.
2009
The need for additional office space increased, so the Congregation made the decision to build an additional building on the grounds. This new Administration Building houses 17 offices, a kitchen, small and large conference rooms, a large gathering space, and a small social room.
1993
The community built the Community Living Center (CLC) at 5031 West Ridge Road in Erie for Sisters to live and continue their ministries.
This facility is comprised of a chapel, large gathering space, library, offices, independent residential pods, a care facility, an exercise pool and facility, a large kitchen, two dining rooms, an activity room and more. The CLC is located on 40 acres of land.
1982
SSJ Associates share with the Sisters of the Congregation in faith, in prayer, in various aspects of communal living, and ministry. The Associate program is open to all Christian men and women, regardless of age, marital status, or vocation. During a one-year formation, they experience the SSJ spirituality and prayer, and increasingly understanding the history and charism of the SSJs. They renew their commitment annually. Now numbering more than 200 members, the associate members administer many of the Sister’s sponsored ministries through their own roles as professionals and volunteers.
EARLY 1900S
The need for Sisters to staff schools within the Erie Diocese grew rapidly. To meet that demand, Mother Agnes moved the orphanage to the city of Erie. The ministry had vastly expanded, and just 35 Erie-based Sisters were administering and staffing St. Vincent Hospital, Spencer Hospital, St. Joseph’s Home for Children, St. Mary’s Home, Villa Maria Academy, and eight elementary parish schools across the county. In 1925, the Sisters also founded Villa Maria College, which merged with Gannon University in 1989. At their peak, there were 500-600 Sisters actively ministering in the Erie Diocese.
While much smaller in number, today’s Sisters of St. Joseph continue to serve – revitalizing and building community in urban neighborhoods, mentoring women and children, nourishing the hungry, sheltering the homeless, welcoming immigrants, advocating for social justice, and providing pastoral care throughout the Erie Diocese.
1864
Mother Agnes Spencer, along with six Sisters, moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania. The group primarily served orphan children in their convent. A train wreck compelled them to house and tend injured passengers. That event prompted the Sisters to establish St. Joseph’s Hospital in Meadville – northwestern Pennsylvania’s first hospital – later renamed Spencer Hospital, and today having merged with Meadville City Hospital, is known as Meadville Medical Center.
1860
Mother Agnes Spencer arrived in Corsica, PA, where she promptly initiated, staffed, and managed the St. Ann’s Academy for Young Ladies. After two years, Mother Agnes and her companions moved to Frenchtown, Pennsylvania to launch a second girls’ school.
1836
Six Sisters were sent to St. Louis, Mo., to establish the first house in the United States. One particularly enterprising woman, Sister Agnes Spencer, served countless northeastern communities until 1860, when she was invited by Bishop Josue Young to come to Diocese of Erie.
1650
Six Sisters were sent to St. Louis, Mo., to establish the first house in the United States. One particularly enterprising woman, Sister Agnes Spencer, served countless northeastern communities until 1860, when she was invited by Bishop Josue Young to come to Diocese of Erie.
