St. Joseph Orphanage…St. Joseph Children’s Home…Personal Growth Center…St. Joseph Family Center…126 years of service… On September 17 sisters, companions, former members, current and former staff, board committees and members all gathered to celebrate and remember the history, the life, and the Franciscan presence of those 126 years. In her welcome Sr. Patricia Millen reminded attendees of the scriptural quote, “There is an appointed for everything…a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.” But she also reminded them that there is also a time of remembering…of remembering the history of our congregational presence at St. Joseph’s, of remembering the people who are a part of that history—who actually created that history and breathed it into life during those126 years. 

Sr. Patricia Millen welcomed guests and encouraged them to take time to remember the History of St. Joseph’s.

Sr. Patricia Smith had traveled to Spokane for the occasion and was invited to address the assembly. She also recalled the history of St. Joseph’s—both past and present. She recalled, too, St. Francis’ call to ongoing conversion—a call which invites each of us to be open to what God is asking of us. “This is the reality of our five sisters (Pat, Elaine, Joanne, Patty, and Florence). It is the reality of each of us who strive to live the gospel—to ever trust in God—to be about continuous conversion. So we go forth—to share the gifts God has given us generously with others in whatever way God leads us.”

Fr. Ty Schaff presided over the celebration of the Eucharist.

(l-r) Fr. Pat O’Leary, Srs. Pat Smith, Jude Connelly, Anne McNamara, and former member Catherine Ruggerio Elia share memories of St. Joseph Family Center.