By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY
The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine marking milestone jubilees this year are pictured here. Back row, from left: Sisters Diane Couture, Elizabeth Anne Worley, Carolyn Tucker, and Jane Stoecker; front row, from left: Sisters Mary Josepha Butterfield, Edith Paschall, Lilia Fernandez, and Eileen Marie Flanagan.
ST. AUGUSTINE, Florida | Eight Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine who are marking jubilees of religious profession this year were recognized during a Mass Oct. 14, 2023, at St. Anastasia Church here. Two of the sisters are celebrating 75 years, one is celebrating 70, three are celebrating 60, and two are celebrating 50 years, for a total of 500 years of service to the Church as consecrated women religious in Florida.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski was the presiding celebrant and homilist at the Mass.
Celebrating 75 years in 2023 were Sister Mary Josepha Butterfield and Sister Lilia Fernandez.
Sister Mary Josepha Butterfield, born in California but raised in St. Augustine, used her education and gifts in music and fine arts in Catholic schools throughout Florida, and her administrative abilities in positions such as Motherhouse Coordinator. She has learned how to use the Apple computer for graphic arts, as well as the lost art of bobbin lace making.
Sister Lilia Fernandez, born in Havana, Cuba, transferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1981 from another religious congregation. She has served in parishes in religious education and as a chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Miami.
Celebrating 70 years in 2023 was Sister Eileen Marie Flanagan. Born in Dublin Ireland, Sister Eileen served in Catholic education in Florida, and as vicar for religious for the Diocese of St. Augustine. She has been a spiritual director for many years.
Celebrating 60 years in 2023 were Sisters Jane Stoecker, Carolyn Tucker, and Elizabeth Anne Worley.
Sister Jane Stoecker, although born on Long Island, N.Y., was raised in Miami. She served many years in Catholic elementary education as a teacher and principal in Florida, including at St. Mary Cathedral School in Miami. She served eight years as General Superior of the congregation (2010-2018) and currently serves as director of the St. Joseph Renewal Center, in St. Augustine, and as a Councilor on the Leadership Team of the congregation.
Sister Carolyn Tucker, born and raised in Orlando, has served in both Catholic education as a teacher and principal, and as a counselor for Catholic Charities. She served as Motherhouse Coordinator/Administrator and currently volunteers at the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center while serving as a Councilor on the Leadership Team.
Sister Elizabeth Anne Worley, born in the Panama Canal Zone, was raised in Jacksonville. She has served as a high school chemistry teacher at Immaculata-La Salle in Miami and Madonna (now Chaminade-Madonna) in Hollywood, chaired the Mercy Hospital Board, been CEO of Catholic Hospice in Miami and Chancellor for Administration and chief operating officer for the Diocese of Orlando (2007-2010). She now fulfills those same duties for the Archdiocese of Miami (2010-present).
Celebrating 50 years in 2023 were Sister Diane Couture and Edith Paschall.
Sister Diane Couture, born in Hartford, Connecticut, was raised in Orlando. She served in various positions in social services in Florida, including as Social Services Director at Florida Manor Nursing Home in Orlando. Almost 30 years ago she began ministering full-time as a stained-glass painter and artist and continues to direct St. Joseph Ministries Architectural Stained-Glass Studio in St. Augustine.
Sister Edith Paschall, born in Pasadena, California, moved to Florida at a young age. Most of her ministries have been in secondary Catholic education, teaching religion, including more than 30 years at Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville. She is currently retired and lives in St. Augustine.
The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in St. Augustine from France in 1866 at the invitation from Bishop Augustin Verot of Savannah. They came from Le Puy, France, to teach the newly freed slaves after the Civil War. They are the only congregation of Catholic apostolic women religious with a motherhouse in northeast Florida and currently serve in St. Augustine, Jacksonville, and Miami. They are consecrated to God by public profession of vows of celibacy, poverty, and obedience, in imitation of Jesus Christ who was poor, chaste, and obedient.
