-
By Sister Marita Funke, OSB
On Saturday, September 23, St Joseph Parish in New Paltz, NY, celebrated 75 years of the Benedictine Sisters in their midst. That presence began in 1948 when three Sisters arrived to teach religion to children at St Joseph's and the surrounding area. Their mission extended as far as
Poughkeepsie across the Hudson River. They lived in Newman Hall at 16 South Chestnut St. This building was renovated to provide classrooms for St Joseph Grade School which was staffed by the Sisters. When the school closed in 1969,
the Sisters began St Joseph School of Religion. At that time students were released from public school classes and bussed by the parish to attend religious instruction. In 1990 the parish purchased the current convent on Elting Avenue.
The 1997 Parish Center provided offices and new classroom space for the
Religious Education Program that continues until today under the direction of Sr.
Philomena Fleck, OSB.
At the anniversary Mass, Father Salvatore Cordaro, O.F.M., Cap., pastor of St.
Joseph’s and Sr. Mariette Thérèse Bernier, OSB, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters
of Elizabeth, NJ, offered words of praise and gratitude for the work of the Sisters.
At the reception following, alumnae were recognized, slides were shown, and a
beautiful cake topped off a delicious ham meal prepared and served by
parishioners.
