ADOM :: Remarkable women mark 150 years in Florida

By Sr. Elizabeth Anne Worley, SSJ - Archdiocese of Miami- PC

Photographer: TOM TRACY | FC

Sister Elizabeth Worley of the Sisters of St. Joseph, serves as the Archdiocese of Miami's chief operating officer and chancellor for administration.

Editor's note: Sister Elizabeth Worley, archdiocesan chancellor for administration and chief operating officer, sent the following memo Sept. 2 to archdiocesan staff. We thought it was a beautiful reminder of the work that courageous women of faith have done - and continue to do - throughout the world today. This group just happens to make their home in Florida, and we are more than blessed to have them.

Please remember in your prayers the Sisters of St. Joseph, my religious congregation.

The Sisters of St. Joseph were founded in France in 1650 and came to Florida immediately after the Civil War at the call of Bishop (Augustin) Verot, who wanted to offer education to the thousands of newly freed slaves. With extraordinary generosity and courage, the eight Sisters set sail from France to Florida, arriving in St. Augustine on Sept. 2, 1866. Sixty had volunteered but Bishop Verot could only afford to bring eight. The Sisters did not know the language, had no experience as teachers and knew nothing of the humidity and the challenging living conditions in post-Civil War Florida.

On Sept. 2, 2016, at vespers in the Cathedral in St. Augustine, we celebrate with great gratitude the privilege of ministry in the Church of Florida for 150 years. On Saturday, Sept. 3, Archbishop (Thomas) Wenski, joined by Bishop (Peter) Baldacchino, Bishop (Felipe) Estevez, Bishop (John) Noonan and several other bishops of the area, will concelebrate Mass to mark this marvelous anniversary. (Read the archbishop's homily here.)

The Miami celebration for the Sisters of St. Joseph will take place Sept. 23, beginning at 7 p.m. at Mercy Hospital, with the local premiere of "A Legacy of Faith," a PBS documentary on the Sisters' work. All who have been touched by the ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph in South Florida are invited to attend.

You may know of the work of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Miami, opening Gesu School (St. Catherine Academy) in 1905 and serving in numerous parish schools, some started even before the parish was formed.

The Sisters opened Mercy Hospital in 1950, served at the Cathedral school, Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Stephen, Immaculate-LaSalle High School, St. James and Holy Family schools and responded to the call of the bishop wherever and whenever there was need to serve, even here at the Pastoral Center.

And yes, it is true, our Sisters did teach Archbishop Wenski when he was in elementary school! Soon there will be a link on our website to a video interview in which the archbishop shares the influence the Sisters had on him while in school, especially Sister Aquinas, who introduced him to her work in the migrant camps of Palm Beach County.

The program for Saturday’s Mass (click here) includes some information about the remarkable women who came to Florida in 1866 and those who have followed in their footsteps in these 150 years. I am attaching it with the hope you might have a few minutes to read about the work of this group of faith-filled women religious and give thanks for all that God has accomplished through them.

I ask you to hold the Sisters in prayer this weekend and whisper a special prayer that the hurricane now heading across north Florida moves away without hindering this beautiful celebration.

Comments from readers

LOURDES del-CALVO - 09/07/2016 06:33 PM

Just want to add that the Sisters of St. Joseph, were the same Sisters that taught me in Vedado, Habana Cuba, at "Las Dominicas Americanas"...I remember Sister Josephine, who I met by coincidence at Mercy Hospital after Castro took over our Country. I have a couple of Holy Cards dedicated to me by Sister Josephine. I also remember Sister Dolores. I made my first Holy Communion at Las Dominicas Americanas and I can remember it as if it was yesterday. It was the most Happiest Day of my Life. Then when my mother brought us to theses Great USA, I was eleven then (1948) I went to Rosarian Academy for one year and the following years until I graduated in 1957 I went to St. Patrick School in Miami Beach. I give all the credit of my strong Faith to Monsignor Barry and the Dominican Sisters, we were their life. We need at least one or two Sisters at every Roman Catholic School, they are a big help to the Priest. The Priest have too much Administrative work and the Sisters were the ones that helped them in much of that work. Also, the Rectory should be in the Parish grounds and not in a far away place. At St. Patrick, thanks to Monsignor Barry, we had a Youth Center where all the Students not only from St. Pat's but from Public School went to after school, Monsignor Barry furnished all the Snack (icecream and cookies...etc.) It is very hard for the Priest today to have that Personal contact with their parishioners because they have too much Administrative work that the Sisters did. We need to pray daily the Rosary for our Country and our Priest and Religious. (PLEASE EDIT MY THOUGHTS, AS I GET CARRIED AWAY WHEN I SPEAK OF MONSIGNOR BARRY AND THE SISTERS, THANK YOU)

Msgr. Terence Hogan - 09/07/2016 06:06 PM

With gratefulness to God for the 150 years of service that the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine have provided jto students from many diverse backgrounds, languages and cultures, to the infirm, to the poor and those in need. A special remembrance of your service at St. Mary Cathedral where I had the privilege to work alongside of your Sisters for fifteen years. You are remembered in prayer.

Rev. Mr. Armando J. deLeon, Diocese of Richmond - 09/02/2016 09:43 AM

Many blessings to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Augustine. I am blessed to have had them in my formation as a youngster at the Cathedral Parish in Miami and St. Theresa in Coral Gables. So many took the work done by the Sisters for granted until we now have only a handful and miss their dedication, loving kindness and zeal. May the good LORD continue to bless their ministry and allow them to one again prosper as they spread His word and minister to God;s people. With a special blessing for each sister. I send a special blessing to each sister, but especially to Srs. Joyce, Loyce, Mary Esther, Caroline, Mary David, and the many who have already gone ahead to prepare for our arrival in heaven.

LOURDES del-CALVO - 09/07/2016 06:33 PM: Just want to add that the Sisters of St. Joseph, were the same Sisters that taught me in Vedado, Habana Cuba, at "Las Dominicas Americanas"...I remember Sister Josephine, who I met by coincidence at Mercy Hospital after Castro took over our Country. I have a couple of Holy Cards dedicated to me by Sister Josephine. I also remember Sister Dolores. I made my first Holy Communion at Las Dominicas Americanas and I can remember it as if it was yesterday. It was the most Happiest Day of my Life. Then when my mother brought us to theses Great USA, I was eleven then (1948) I went to Rosarian Academy for one year and the following years until I graduated in 1957 I went to St. Patrick School in Miami Beach. I give all the credit of my strong Faith to Monsignor Barry and the Dominican Sisters, we were their life. We need at least one or two Sisters at every Roman Catholic School, they are a big help to the Priest. The Priest have too much Administrative work and the Sisters were the ones that helped them in much of that work. Also, the Rectory should be in the Parish grounds and not in a far away place. At St. Patrick, thanks to Monsignor Barry, we had a Youth Center where all the Students not only from St. Pat's but from Public School went to after school, Monsignor Barry furnished all the Snack (icecream and cookies...etc.) It is very hard for the Priest today to have that Personal contact with their parishioners because they have too much Administrative work that the Sisters did. We need to pray daily the Rosary for our Country and our Priest and Religious. (PLEASE EDIT MY THOUGHTS, AS I GET CARRIED AWAY WHEN I SPEAK OF MONSIGNOR BARRY AND THE SISTERS, THANK YOU)

Msgr. Terence Hogan - 09/07/2016 06:06 PM: With gratefulness to God for the 150 years of service that the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine have provided jto students from many diverse backgrounds, languages and cultures, to the infirm, to the poor and those in need. A special remembrance of your service at St. Mary Cathedral where I had the privilege to work alongside of your Sisters for fifteen years. You are remembered in prayer.

Rev. Mr. Armando J. deLeon, Diocese of Richmond - 09/02/2016 09:43 AM: Many blessings to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Augustine. I am blessed to have had them in my formation as a youngster at the Cathedral Parish in Miami and St. Theresa in Coral Gables. So many took the work done by the Sisters for granted until we now have only a handful and miss their dedication, loving kindness and zeal. May the good LORD continue to bless their ministry and allow them to one again prosper as they spread His word and minister to God;s people. With a special blessing for each sister. I send a special blessing to each sister, but especially to Srs. Joyce, Loyce, Mary Esther, Caroline, Mary David, and the many who have already gone ahead to prepare for our arrival in heaven.

Columns | Friday, September 02, 2016

Remarkable women mark 150 years in Florida

Celebration in St. Augustine honors Sisters of St. Joseph's work throughout the state

By Sr. Elizabeth Anne Worley, SSJ - Archdiocese of Miami- PC

Comments from readers