Frequently Asked Questions
Do Sisters remain close to their family? –Alicia
Hi Alicia, Good question! One of the things we look at when someone is even considering being a Sister is their relationship with their family. Is there a good connection and communication going on? This may be a good indicator as to how a woman might be in community. One's family is primary and we want to foster those relationships. It's important to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries and accomplishments with your family members as well as difficult times. The challenge is balance. How are you a member of your new family, the congregation, and how are you a member of the family you are born in to? And how do you divide your time? Everyone has to learn how to do this and we help each other in the process. We are all enriched by knowing each other's family too! I'm not from Rochester and my family lives six hours away, so, I claim another Sister's family as my Rochester family.
Do Sisters take vacations? –Patty
Hi Patty, Good question. Sisters, like everyone else, need to live balanced lives. We need to work hard, play hard and take some time in the in-between. We all need time for refreshment and renewal. For me.. I love to go camping and spend time in nature; especially remote camping where there is no modern conveniences and hike, canoe, etc. We hold all our money in common, receiving a monthly stipend of $100 for personal expenses and then we budget $300/ year for vacation. It may not seem like a lot but when you pool your funds you'd be surprised what you can do and how much you can do. We also have money budgeted for retreat too and we take a week of retreat as well each year.
Is there a dress code? –Sue
Hi Sue, I am guessing that you might be asking "Do the Sisters of St. Joseph wear a habit?" The quick answer is no. When we began in 1650 France, the women of that time could not freely move about in their communities without being escorted by a male relative, like a father, brother, uncle or husband. The only women who could move about freely were widows. Women religious were only in the cloister so how could these first 6 women go about doing good works? Well, they decided to dress like the widows in their towns. In that way, they could visit the hospitals, prisons, take in orphans, etc. Eventually, the widows garb of freedom became a "habit" even though our earliest documents said... "You will know them by their manner, not by their dress." We were never meant to be separate from the rest of society. When we went back to re-examine our roots in the 1960's this became all the clearer and the Sisters of that time decided to return to the simple clothing of the day. I work a day a week as a nurse in our county jail. I dress as a nurse and am happy to tell people that I am also a Sister of St. Joseph too!
Right now I am a secretary, would I fit in as a Sister? And do you get to choose what ministry you would like to be involved with after you become a Sister? –Melissa
Hi Melissa, Thanks for your questions, these are important. Our life as a Sister of St. Joseph is first about God and then it is about God’s people, all people no matter who or where they find themselves. We were and are about serving the neighbor in any “way a woman is capable” and if we are unable to respond to the needs we identify, then we were to get others to join us in responding. So we not only serve the people of God as teachers but as Pastoral Administrators, nurses, surgeons, realtors and yes as secretaries too . Our “works” are as varied as our membership. What we hold in common is this great quest for God in our life lived upon the foundation of prayer and community and a great desire to be gospel centered women.
Do you get to choose where you will live and with whom? –Amanda
Hi Amanda, Thanks for your question. When a woman is studying to be a Sister, in formation as we say... she is assigned to a particular 'House of Formation". Once she takes her final vows, she can decided where and with what Sisters she would like to live. Maybe she basis her decision on location to her work, or the number of Sisters in the community, etc. She together with the other Sisters who live in a particular house would together make a decision of where she would best live.
Is every Sister affiliated with a specific parish? –Meaghan
Answer: Hi Meaghan, That's a good question. Many Sisters worship at a specific parish of their choice. Perhaps they work there or they live nearby. There are many reasons one might choose a parish to worship in and they are particular to the individual Sister.
What do you need to do to become a Sister and how long does it take?
This is a good question. First you need to have a desire for a deeper relationship with God, because this life is all about the "God Quest"! Then you take some time to get to know the congregation, hang out with us, pray with us, celebrate with us. After 6 months to a year of intentional "hanging out" and you come to discover that you feel at home with us, then you would apply to become a Candidate. The Candidate phase lasts about 1 - 2 years. During this time you experience life in community while continuing your present work, schooling, or ministry. After this phase, you would become a Novice. This phase lasts 2 years and it's a time to continue to grow in prayer and community life, and to study and explore more deeply your call to religious life in this congregation. Once you complete the Novitiate, you could be eligible to receive first vows and enter into the Temporary Professed Phase which lasts 3 - 6 years. Again, it's a time to live in community with the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience while working in a full time ministry. After this period of time you would then take your Final Vows where you would make a life-long commitment to live the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in this congregation and to love and serve God and God's people. As you can see it would be hard to make a hasty decision to become a Sister of St. Joseph. It is a life's work and choice that grows and matures each day. It's important to remember that you wouldn't be traveling this journey alone. There are many who would be with you and support you along the way to become the best person God would desire you to become. Peace to you and your haunting questions!
–Sr. Donna