October
Celebrating 145 Years of Ministry to God’s People in FloridaMary Jane Ballou and Cantorae St. Augustine to perform special concert
The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine arrived in Florida at the conclusion of the Civil War in 1866, answering a call by Bishop Verot to teach the children of recently released slaves. To celebrate their rich history and service, a special concert will be performed by Mary Jane Ballou and Cantorae St. Augustine at St. Benedict the Moore Mission Church, 86 Martin Luther King Street, St. Augustine, at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 13.
Cantorae director and creator, Mary Jane Ballou, wanted to honor the Sisters in a very special manner and thought that telling their story with song was an appropriate and unique manner. A variety of songs and spirituals will tell the story of eight fearless Sisters who set sail from Le Puy, France, to St. Augustine, Florida. “I think every performance should both entertain and educate,” stated Ballou, “and this concert will definitely do both.”
“We are grateful to Mary Jane and Cantorae St. Augustine for honoring our 145 anniversary with this unique concert at St. Benedict’s Church where our Sisters once taught,” stated Sister Jane Stoecker, General Superior.
The concert is open to the public. Admission is free and parking is available next to the Church on Martin Luther King Street
Six Sisters of St. Joseph Collectively Celebrate 315 years of Service
The Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine, FL gathered on Saturday, October 15 at the St. Augustine Cathedral-Basilica to celebrate Sisters who have served their dear neighbor for at least 25 years. Six Sisters, celebrating Jubilees from seventy years to twenty five years, were honored with a concelebrated liturgy.
Celebrating their Jubilee were: Sister Marie Therese Evrard (70 years); Sister Rene Azar (60 years); Sister Catherine Laboure Brusnahan (60 years); Sister Marlene Payette (50 years); Sister Lyn Payette (50 years); and Sister Rea Wurmnest (25 years). Read more about their wonderful lives as Sisters of St. Joseph.
Sr. Ann Raymond shares Breast Cancer Story
Sr. Ann Raymond Wood answered the call of The Florida Times-Union newspaper in Jacksonville for readers to share their breast cancer story. Writing an essay and telling her story was easy for this retired high school English teacher. “I was completely surprised when I got a call from a photographer who said he needed to come take my picture,” stated Sr. Ann Raymond; “then he said my essay had been selected.” A total of ten essays were chosen. The surprises did not stop at the photo shoot. On Saturday morning, October 1st, Sr. Suzan Foster came to Sr. Ann Raymond’s room with the front page of the paper. “I looked at the paper and was shocked when I say my photo and essay were on the front page,” said Sr. Ann Raymond. Read Sr. Ann Raymond’s essay and learn her breast cancer story.
Statement of Accountability Now Available
The Sisters of St. Joseph 2010-2011 Statement of Accountability, which includes list of donors and financial statement for the Mission Advancement Department, is now available to view online. The statement will also be published in the upcoming newsletter.
