News and Events: Beginning of Lent

It has been too long since I've written anything on our Blog.  I really can't think of a reason why I stopped writing about the News and Events of the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.  We have had all sorts of events and news to share.  But I got out of the habit of writing about them.  So this Lent I will attempt to get back to regularly sharing news, events, and stories about the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.

Of course, Lent means Fish Fry on Fridays at St. Joseph Academy. Our first fish fry did very well.  Thanks to everyone who came out to support St. Joseph Academy.  And also a big thank you to all the volunteers.  Without the help of the parents, teachers, staff and volunteers we could never serve such a delicious meal.  It takes many hands to set up, cook, serve, and clean up. 

Teachers and staff of St. Joseph Academy praying at the beginning of the school year.

After you eat the delicious meal on Friday, you can attend the Stations of the Cross at All Saints Parish at 7:00 pm. The Stations of the Cross is a wonderful devotion. The stations remind us that God loves each of us so much that He sent Jesus to redeem us.   It helps us to keep in mind that Lent is just not something we have to put up with for 40 days. Lent is a 40 day retreat that draws us closer and closer to God. I hope to see you at the Fish Fry and at the Stations of the Cross this Friday.  May you have a blessed and grace-filled Lent. 

News and Events: Sister Benedict Joseph

Allow me to introduce you to Sister Benedict Joseph.  A quiet, unassuming, humble member of the Sisters of St. Joseph the Worker.  

Sister Benedict Joseph entered religious life on June 8, 1946.  Sister was on of 17 children.  She grew up on a farm and learned about prayer, hard work and dedication from her family.  She continued to work hard during her life as a sister doing domestic tasks, especially cooking.

She was gifted with a talent for cooking and could make the simplest ingredients taste like a feast.

Sister spent many years at All Saints Convent in Walton, where she was famous for her baked goods. Whenever the parish had a bake sale, Sister Benedict Joseph would always bake something. Some parishioners would get to the bake sale early to make sure they were in time to purchase Sister’s rolls or cookies.

At the original All Saints church, the convent was connected to the church. Sister would make a roast for Sunday dinner and the parishioners attending the Mass on Sunday morning could smell it during Mass.  When sister wasn’t cooking, you could find her in the church praying.  She would attend all the masses at All Saints on Sunday morning.

As she got older, Sister began losing her hearing but she always made an effort to hear what people were saying. Despite her declining health, she continued to cook up delicious meals for the sisters who taught at Saint Joseph Academy.  In the evening after praying, cooking and cleaning up the kitchen, she loved to relax by playing a game of cards.

Sister Benedict Joseph with her father.

Sister Benedict Joseph died ‘with her boots on’.  She was assigned to St. William convent, the Mother House of the community. On February 23,2002, she came out to the kitchen after mass for a cup of coffee when she collapsed. She had a brain hemorrhage. She was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where she died early the next morning. Sister was 82 years old. At St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, “Brahms’ Lullaby” is played over the intercom system whenever a new baby is born. As Sr. Benedict Joseph died, the lullaby began playing.