Saint Joseph Academy Spirituality

The Charism (or spirituality) of the Congregation of St. Joseph is unity.
"We live and work to bring all people into union with God, each other and all creation.” (CSJ Core Constitutions)
 
Our school community is rooted in the spirituality of our founding sponsors, The Congregation of St. Joseph. Our belief that every person is made in the image of God allows us to recognize the potential that lies within each young woman who walks through our doors. 
  
NEWS RELEASE

September 9, 2008

Contact: Gina Sullivan, Communications Director, Congregation of St. Joseph

216.688.3487

Congregation of St. Joseph Prayerline
Celebrates THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY IN SERVICE.

CLEVELAND, OH – The Congregation of St. Joseph’s call-in Prayerline is celebrating its 30th Anniversary in service to the community this month. Begun on September 24, 1978 by Sister Columba Segrue as a simple venture of faith, the Prayerline has grown into a ministry that brings calls for help and prayer from young and old alike, from Catholics and non-Catholics, from right here in Cleveland, and from around the world.
 

Not to be confused with an automated "dial-a-prayer” service, Prayerline is staffed by actual Sisters and Associates of the Congregation. Sister Mary Ann Lavelle, director of Prayerline, said, "We listen to their [the callers] story, then pray with them if they so desire. For all intentions offered, a scapular is sent as well as special prayer cards. We also list and remember the intention at our daily Masses and during Holy Hours.”

In its first two years of service, the Prayerline received over 15,000 calls. By 1986, more than 50,000 had been logged. Today, it is estimated that an astounding 180,000+ calls have come into the Prayerline over the past 30 years.

The reasons for calling are as varied as the callers themselves. Health issues such as illness or upcoming surgeries are common intentions, as are spiritual needs, occupational concerns, and even pending property sales. Sister Mary Ann said that the most rewarding part is just talking with callers and feeling God’s awesome presence guiding the staff in responding to the caller’s intentions.

"We feel honored and blessed to be a reconciling presence to our neighbors as we join them in prayer, " she said. "For those we serve, their prayers are our prayers. Their intentions are our intentions.”

To call our Prayerline, dial 216.252.0548.

The Congregation of St. Joseph is comprised of seven formerly independent congregations that joined to become one in 2007. The former congregations are: the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cleveland, Ohio; LaGrange Park, Ill.; Nazareth, Mich.; Medaille (Crookston, Minn., Cincinnati, and Baton Rouge, La.); Tipton, Ind.; Wheeling, W.Va.; and Wichita, Kan. The headquarters for the congregation is in Cleveland; former motherhouses in the other six locations are referred to as centers. The Congregation of Joseph has more than 850 sisters in ministry in the United States and Japan.Gina Sullivan