Jubilarians Celebrate 195 Years of Combined Service

The Motherhouse was a place of gathering and celebration during the first week of June, when the Sisters of St. Joseph came together at their annual June assembly.
Sisters from our congregation travel from across the country to meet up for the week and those who aren’t able to make it are invited to join by Zoom.
The Congregation of St. Joseph or CSJ’s have over 60 Sisters throughout the United States and one in Canada. In addition to several cities in Kansas, they are located in California, Colorado, Georgia, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Oregon.
Their Brazil mission, founded in 1963, is still going strong with nearly 20 Sisters based in several places in Brazil, and one, Sister Alexandra da Silva, who is currently in the U.S. and living at the Motherhouse.
The Sisters are joined by the CSJ Associates, consisting of over 30 people in the U.S. and nearly 60 in Brazil. The Associates experience meaningful opportunities to serve God and the dear neighbor, and communal support in living the CSJ mission in their daily lives.
The annual meeting is a time used for catching up, setting goals, sharing mission progress, keeping current on various CSJ topics, celebrating blessings, engaging in Mass and meals, and so much more. The week culminates in the Jubilarian celebration.

On Sunday, June 8, five incredible women were honored in celebration of 195 years of combined service as Sisters of St. Joseph. This year’s Jubilarian Theme was “Spirit Outpoured, Gifts Given.”
Father Barry Brinkman presided over a special Jubilarian Mass during which Sisters Agnes Irene Huser, Bernadine Pachta, Beverly Carlin, Jean Ann Walton, and Ann Ashwood renewed their vows of fidelity, obedience, chastity and poverty.
Mass was followed by an exceptional meal, prepared and served by Motherhouse Food Service Manager, Jamie Balthazor and kitchen staff. The meal was served buffet style and the Jubilarians were served by hosts and servers assigned to their tables.
Each Jubilarian was recognized with a gift bag, full of cards and gifts, and a personal message and toast by Sister Marcia Allen.
This joyous occasion is a delightful way to wrap up the assembly week and takes months of planning by numerous Sisters and Motherhouse staff to ensure a special day for the remarkable women who have dedicated their lives to God and to the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph.