Jubilarians - Cleveland

Sister Victoria entered religious life on September 8, 1939 from St. Ignatius Parish in Cleveland. She began her long career in education in 1943 teaching seventh grade at St. Clement in Lakewood where she stayed until 1945. She then went on to teach at St. Vincent de Paul in Cleveland (1945-1956), St. Augustine in Cleveland (1956-1957), St. Vincent de Paul in Cleveland (1957-1963), St. Joseph in Canton (1963-1967), St. Aloysius in Cleveland (1967-1968), St. Mary of the Falls in Olmsted Falls (1968-1972), and St. Brendan in North Olmsted (1972-1976). After teaching, Sister stayed at St. Brendan where she served as pastoral minister for 20 years (1976-1996). She then went on to volunteer as a pastoral minister at Our Lady of Angels from 1996-2003. Currently, Sister Victoria is active in prayer ministry and resides at Regina Health Center in Richfield.

Sister Dolores Moyer, CSJ (formerly Sr. M. Rosarie)

70 Years

Sister Dolores entered religious life on September 8, 1939 from Our Lady of Angels Parish in Cleveland. She began her long career as both teacher and sacristan at St. Vincent de Paul in Cleveland in 1943, where she worked until 1960. She then went on to serve as a teacher and/or sacristan at St. Francis de Sales in Akron (1960-1964), St. Aloysius in Cleveland (1964-1965), St. Columbkille in Parma (1965-1968), St. Francis de Sales in Akron (1968-1970), and St. Clement in Lakewood (1970-1971). Sister then transferred to St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland where she served in the library from 1972-1974. From there, she ministered to the elderly at Care of Family in Cleveland, and at St. Agnes in Elyria. She then went back to teaching at Our Lady of Angels where she taught remedial math for twenty years (1977 – 1997). In 1997, Sister Dolores went back to working with the elderly at Care of Family where she remains today. She is also active in prayer ministry and resides in Cleveland.

“Perhaps the greatest joys of my religious life are the priests, brothers, and sisters I have taught. Just last year one of the brothers I taught celebrated his golden jubilee. This year, one of my boys will celebrate his 50^th year as a priest. One of the girls is head of her religious order. This year, I thank God for all the years of my religious life and ask that he keeps me close to him.”

Sr. Dolores Moyer, CSJ

Sister Catherine Pinkerton, CSJ (formerly Sr. Mary Pius)

70 Years

Sister Catherine entered religious life on September 8, 1939 from St. Ignatius Parish in Cleveland. She began her career teaching in 1943 at St. Rose in Cleveland where she stayed until 1950. She then went on to teach at St. Joseph in Canton (1950-1957), then served as principal at St. Joseph Academy (1957-1973). Sister then went on to serve as Chairperson for the National Assembly of Women in Chicago (1973-1975), as Director of Parish Councils in Pastoral Planning for the Diocese of Cleveland (1975-1980), as a CSJ Leadership Team member (1976-1984), and as the President of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) in Washington D.C. from 1982-1985. In 1984, while still in Washington, Sister Catherine also began serving as a lobbyist for Network, a national catholic social justice lobby, where she remains today.

“I look upon my vocation to the CSJ’s as pure gift. The Community has enabled me to serve Church and society both in and out of the Congregation--in teaching, in secondary administration, in ministry of service to the Congregation itself. With dedicated colleagues, the last twenty-five years have been spent at NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby, a registered federal lobby founded by Catholic women religious in 1973. Its mission – to address issues of economic and social justice affects people who are economically impoverished. Its membership of religious congregations and lay Catholics steeped in Catholic social teaching are a forceful voice on Capitol Hill. My ministry there has been both gift and challenge.”

Sr. Catherine Pinkerton, CSJ

Sister Teresa Margaret Bost, CSJ

60 Years

Sister Teresa entered religious life on September 8, 1949 from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cleveland. She taught elementary school (primarily first grade) at St. Angela Merici in Fairview Park from 1952-1958, at Annunciation in Cleveland from 1958-1963, at St. Agnes from 1963-1965, at St. Vincent de Paul from 1965-1968, again at St. Angela Merici from 1968-1979, and finally at St. Clement in Lakewood from 1979-1990. After her teaching career, Sister Teresa worked as a teacher’s aide at St. Mark in Cleveland for three years and as a companion to the elderly at Care of Family in Cleveland for four years. Currently, Sister Teresa is active in prayer ministry and resides at Regina Health Center in Richfield.

Sister Antoinette Campanella, CSJ (formerly Sr. Concetta)

60 Years

Sister Antoinette entered religious life on February 2, 1950 from St. Ignatius Parish in Cleveland. She began her long career in education at St. Clement in Lakewood where she taught third grade from 1952-1961. She then taught second grade at St. Anthony of Padua in Parma from 1961-1968, first grade at St. Vincent de Paul in Cleveland from 1968-1969, first and sixth grades at St. Mary of the Falls in Olmsted Falls from 1969-1973, and then served as principal there from 1973-1981. Her last teaching position was held at St. Bridget in Parma where she taught for 22 years (1981-2003). After teaching, Sister Antoinette stayed active in education by serving as a volunteer with Seeds of Literacy in Cleveland. Currently, she is active in prayer ministry and resides at St. Joseph Center in Cleveland.

“I am grateful for my family and community, and look forward to celebrating the years ahead by continuing to be of service to the CSJ community and to those who share in my life.”

Sr . Antoinette Campanella, CSJ

Sister Adele Golden, CSJ

60 Years

Sister Adele entered religious life on September 9, 1949 from St. Jerome Parish in Cleveland. She began her long career in education at St. Augustine in Cleveland where she taught grades 3 and 6 from 1952-1956. She then went on to teach grades 7 and 8 at St. Angela Merici in Fairview Park from 1956-1964 and grade 8 at St. Joseph in Canton from 1964-1968. Sister then served as principal at St. Mary in Berea from 1968-1973. She went back to teaching at the junior high level at St. Brendan in North Olmsted from 1973-1975, then served as principal at St. Bridget in Parma from 1975-1981, and at St. Brendan from 1981-1986. She concluded her teaching career at St. Clement in Lakewood where she taught third grade from 1986-1987. After teaching, Sister went on to serve as House Counselor at Boys Hope in Cleveland, as a field representative for the Ohio Department of Education, as Building and Grounds Coordinator at St. Joseph Center, as Bereavement Minister at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cleveland, and most recently as Director of Religious Education at St. Ladislas in Westlake. Currently, Sister Adele is in her fifth year working as a tutor with special needs students, and is active in prayer ministry. She resides at St. Joseph Center in Cleveland.

“I was drawn to the Congregation of St. Joseph following my first and only visit to St. Joseph Convent. I was very impressed with the prayerful beauty of the grounds, and by the friendly, gracious manner of the young Sisters who came to meet me. All the sisters I knew were educators, but I had a commercial background and expected to be assigned an office position. One month after entering the Congregation, I was at St. John College beginning work toward an elementary education degree. After two full years at St. John’s, I got my first assignment to teach. The next 36 years were full of challenge but also great happiness and joy working with students and parents. One of the greatest gifts of religious life is time; time to pray, time for daily mass, time to prepare for ministry, time to read, and time to share moments with those whom I love.”

Sr. Adele Golden, CSJ

Sister Mary Frances Harrington, CSJ (formerly Sr. Kathleen Marie)

60 Years

Sister Mary Frances entered religious life on September 8, 1949 from St. Mary Parish in Warren. She began her long career in education teaching second grade at St. Agnes in Elyria from 1952-1954. She then went on to teach at the primary level and serve as librarian at both St. Aloysius in Cleveland from 1954-1968 and St. Thomas Aquinas from 1968-1970. She returned to St. Aloysius to serve as assistant principal from 1970-1971. She then became coordinator of behavior for Triad Schools which served St. Agatha, St. Aloysius and St. Thomas Aquinas from 1972-1976, where she later served as pastoral minister from 1976-1983. In 1983, Sister ‘came home’ and served as administrator at St. Joseph Center in Cleveland. She the co-founded and became assistant director of East Side Catholic Shelter, and founded and served as director of Family Transitional Housing, both in Cleveland. From 1999-2000, Sister served again at St. Joseph Center as receptionist coordinator, and worked at Divine Mercy Foundation from 2000-2002. Currently, sister works as a mentor and volunteer with the Lost Boys of the Sudan, and with their ministry Isaac’s Wells, which she co-founded. She resides at Regina Health Center in Richfield.

“I am grateful to God for the privilege of being involved in so many ministries and the blessings I have received. The people involved in these ministries have taught me so much and enriched my life in many ways.”

Sr. Mary Frances Harrington, CSJ

Sister Joan Lang, CSJ (formerly Sr. Mary Julie Anne, SND)

60 Years

Sister Joan entered religious life (as a Sister of Notre Dame) on September 8, 1947 from St. James Parish in Lakewood. She became a Sister of St. Joseph in 1973. She began her long career in education teaching fifth grade at Gesu in University Hts. from 1951-1954. She then went on to teach primary school at St. Michael in Cleveland, St. Agnes in Arlington, VA, St. Teresa in Sheffield, St. Mary in Massillon, St. Peter in North Ridgeville, St. Michael in Independence, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Wickliffe, and St. Paschal Baylon in Highland Hts. In 1969, she served as secretary to the director at Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Studies, where she stayed until 1971. She went back to teaching grade school at St. Francis from 1971-1973. In 1973 she became director of religious education for St. Raphael in Bay Village where she stayed for one year. In 1974, Sister Joan began teaching theology at St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland where she stayed until 1982. She then went on to serve in pastoral ministry for the Native American Pastoral Ministry and as director of co-membership in CSJ administration from 1983-1989. She returned to teaching for one year in 1984 teaching theology at Cleveland Centeral Catholic High School. She then worked as a receptionist at Cleveland Vision Care, Inc. in Cleveland, in the development office for CSJ administration, and in management and sales for WellSpring Bookstore from 1994-2006. Currently, Sister Joan works as a volunteer assistant in the CSJ Mission Advancement department.

“What has meant the most to me in my religious life has been the privilege of life in community. To be able not to have to “go it alone.” To have the resources to develop in my personal, spiritual, and professional life have been great blessings and sheer gift. Religious life in and of itself is a challenge just the same as any other life choice. Through these many years of successes, failures, trials and tribulations I more and more appreciate this tremendous gift: life as a Sister of St. Joseph.”

Sr. Joan Lang, CSJ

Sister Genevieve O'Malley, CSJ

60 Years

Sister Genevieve entered religious life on February 2, 1950 from St. Patrick Parish in Cleveland. She began her long career in education teaching third grade and PSR classes at St. Aloysius in Cleveland from 1952-1955, and fourth grade and PSR classes at St. Ignatius in Cleveland from 1955-1956. She then came back to St. Joseph Center and served as an Infirmarian for one year, but soon returned to teaching at the middle school level at St. Ignatius, St. Colman, St. Mary in Berea, and St. Angela Merici in Fairview Park until 1969. She then transferred to St. Bridget in Parma where she taught grades 7 and 8 (and PSR classes) from 1969-1975, and then went on to Our Lady of Angels in Cleveland where she taught the same grades from 1975-1979. She then went on to serve as teacher and principal of St. Vincent de Paul in Elyria from 1979-1994. Sister then came home to St. Joseph Center where she served as Sacritan and driver until 1997. Currently Sister Genevieve volunteers at St. Joseph Center’s Prayerline, where she also resides, and is active in prayer ministry.

Sister Donna Rock, CSJ (formerly Sr. Florita)

60 Years

Sister Donna entered religious life on September 8, 1949 from St. John the Baptist Parish in Canton. She began her long career in education teaching first and second grades at Our Lady of Angels in Cleveland from 1952-1954. She then went on to teach at the primary and secondary school levels at St. Angela Merici in Fairview Park (1954-1956), St. Wenceslas in Maple Hts. (1956-1960), St. Ignatius in Cleveland (1960-1964), St. Anthony of Padua in Parma (1964-1968), St. John in Lorain (1968-1970), and back to St. Anthony of Padua again (1970-1974). She then came home to St. Joseph Center and served in foodservice from 1974-1976. She also worked in foodservice at St. Clement Parish from 1976-1977. Sister then served as a teacher and financial secretary at St. Vincent de Paul from 1977-1987, as Clerk of Courts for the Lorain County Courthouse from 1987-1997, and as a volunteer with Seeds of Literacy in Cleveland from 2000-2005. Currently, Sister Donna is active in prayer ministry and resides at Regina Health Center in Richfield.

Sister Agnes Schreiber, CSJ (formerly Sr. Mary Martin)

60 Years

Sister Agnes entered religious life on September 8, 1949 from St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Cleveland. She began her long career in education teaching at St. Thomas Aquinas in Cleveland in 1952. From there, Sister went on to teach at the primary level at St. Margaret Mary in South Euclid (1953-1954), St. Colman in Cleveland (1954-1955), St. Joseph in Strongsville (1955-1957), St. Aloysius in Cleveland (1957-1961), St. Agnes in Elyria (1961-1964), St. Vincent de Paul in Cleveland (1964-1966), St. Peter in Akron (1966-1968), St. Bridget in Parma (1968-1978), then back to St. Vincent de Paul where she stayed 17 years (1978-1995). After teaching, Sister served as a volunteer tutor at Seeds of Literacy in Cleveland until 2002. Currently, Sister Agnes serves as Sacristan at St. Joseph Center and as a library Aide at St. Joseph Academy, both in Cleveland. She is also active in prayer ministry and resides at St. Joseph Center.

Sister Marietta Starrie, CSJ

60 Years

Sister Marietta entered religious life on September 8, 1949 from St. Ignatius Parish in Cleveland. She began her career as a teacher as St. Rose in Cleveland where she taught second and third grade from 1952-1958. She then taught science at Nazareth Academy in Parma Hts. for one year, and science at St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland from 1959-1968. After teaching, Sister went on to serve as pastoral associate at Sacred Heart in Elyria (1968-1975), as a teacher and campus minister at Lorain County Community College (1968-1977), as campus minister and dorm director at Oberlin College (1975-1977), as dorm director and theology instructor at the University of Notre Dame (1977-1987), and as administrator and retreat director at Betterway, Inc. in Elyria (1987-1989). Sister then went back to Lorain County Community College where she served as chemistry instructor from 1989-1994. After teaching, Sister Marietta came home to St. Joseph Center where she served as new member director from 1989-1994, and then in leadership as part of the CSJ Leadership Team from 1994-1999. She also served as co-parish life coordinator for Sacred Heart in Elyria from 2002-2009. Currently, Sister Marietta serves the Diocese of Cleveland as Delegate for Religious, a position she’s held since 1999, and is active in prayer ministry.

“The decision to become a Sister of St. Joseph continues from the time of Vows through our most recent Generous Promises, as I make the choice to say “yes” to the invitations of a loving God – the blessings, surprises, disappointments, challenges and hopes offered to me. The “yes” is never a solo decision. It has always been made through prayer and reflection with support from loving family members, supportive CSJ community members, and the hundreds of people who have ministered to me in response to my efforts to minister to them. As God continues to offer these invitations in the future, my hope is to continue to say both “thank you” and “yes”.

Sr. Marietta Starrie, CSJ

Sister Karen Lyons, CSJ (formerly Sr. Mary Rita)

50 Years

Sister Karen Lyons entered religious life on August 30, 1959 from St. Clement Parish in Lakewood. She taught History at Nazareth Academy in Parma Hts. from 1964-1968. She then went on to teach at St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland from 1968-1973, and then served as assistant principal from 1973-1979. She then transferred to Cleveland Central Catholic High School where she served as assistant principal from 1979-1996. After her career in education, Sister Karen ‘came home’ to serve as facilities coordinator at St. Joseph Center, and as a counselor at St. Joseph Academy until 2009. Currently, she serves as an assistant in the communities archives department.

“For all that has been, thanks…” As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a Sister of St. Joseph. I saw the lived example and caring and compassionate service of the Sisters who lived at St. Clements during the 1950s. These women were surely part of my personal call to join them. I was fortunate to have very loving parents who modeled their faith for us and who gave us all strong foundations to build on. My ministry has been exclusively in secondary education where I have been privileged to teach and walk with hundreds of young high school students. I have been very grateful to have ministered with some wonderful men and women over the years. My life has been greatly enriched because of them.
“For all that will be, yes…” This Jubilee year is definitely not a time to rest on past laurels, but a time to look ahead to many things that still need to be done. My prayer is that God will continue to use me in the work of “reconciliation” and the “Generous Promises” and that I will continue to reach for the “more”.

Sr. Karen Lyons, CSJ