Mission and Ministries

Our Mission

The mission of a religious congregation is a particular focus on the Gospel message. The mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia is based on the prayer of Jesus: “that all may be one as you, Father, are in me, and I in you. I pray that they may be one in us.” (John 17:21)

Our mission was formed by the vision of our first six sisters and their spiritual mentor, Jean-Pierre Medaille, SJ. In contemporary time, that vision is the purpose for which our Congregation exists:

We live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another.

Our mission calls us to collaborate with the people whom we serve, with one another, with co-workers and with Church leaders.

We are called to a special preference for persons who are poor. This call invites us wherever we are to be in union with them, to be for persons who are materially and socially poor. We speak for and with them; we make our choices with their needs in mind; we hold them in our hearts in all situations in which we find ourselves.

As Sisters of Saint Joseph in the 21st century, we continue to respond to the unmet and critical needs of our contemporary society and world.

Our mission, formed by a deep and pervasive love of God and neighbor without distinction, moves us always toward ways to respond, in a spirit of unifying, reconciling love, to the needs of our local communities, the call of the Church, the people of God, and the challenges of the global community.

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Ministries

We teach, administer, and provide support services in every phase of education,from preschool to graduate levels.

We provide spiritual and pastoral services within parishes, ministering to the young and old, to the sick and to shut-ins, to those suffering the pain of loss, separation or alienation and to those who need support in coping with personal crises and addictions.

We conduct retreats and offer programs in adult spirituality in retreat houses and in the parish setting.

We work with the elderly, providing them comfort, courage and empathetic care as well as safe and affordable housing.

We provide social services for immigrants, for prisoners, and for victims of poverty, discrimination and injustice.