Ministries

Ministries of Sisters

Doing the Mission through Ministry
Our CSJ commitment to ministry flows out of our deeper commitment to Mission and Charism. Following the footsteps of our founding sisters, who looked around them for the unmet need, our members today minister in a wide variety of works including education, health care, parishes, social services, spirituality, to name a few.

Through their ministry, sisters provide a multitude of services. These include: teaching; nursing; social work; administration; secretarial and support services; spiritual direction; pastoral care; providing shelter for those who are homeless; grief support; counseling and psychological services; massage therapy; outreach to the elderly and those with great physical and material need; and numerous other services.

Prayer Ministry
As long as there have been Sisters of St. Joseph there has been a ministry of prayer with and for the "dear neighbor," our families, friends and partners in ministry. In 1999 the Prayer Response Ministry was initiated as a way to expand and enhance our prayer relationships, and respond more directly and personally to the multitude of prayer requests we receive on a daily basis.

If you have a particular request you would like us to hold in prayer please let us know by contacting us at communications@csjoseph.org, and putting Prayer Response Ministry in the subject line.

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Sponsored Ministries

Bethany House
Established in 1985, Bethany House provides a safe, hospitable, faith-based, home-like atmosphere for women needing temporary shelter while seeking a permanent residence and employment. Located near downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan, it offers women an environment of personal caring and attention, as well as professional assistance as they gradually work to shape independent and successful lives. In addition to the sisters living there, staff and volunteers offer generous service and support. Through the collaborative efforts of the Bethany House staff, we join with other shelter providers in advocacy efforts locally and statewide in support of people who are homeless.

Dillon Complex for Independent Living
Dillon Complex for Independent Living is a residence for low-income seniors located on the Nazareth Campus. Established in 1979, Dillon continues to serve the needs and enrich the lives of its 79 residents through a variety of programs and activities. The staff works to nurture a holistic approach to living, providing opportunities for ongoing physical, mental, and spiritual growth and development.

Transformations Spirituality Center
Transformations Spirituality Center is located on the Nazareth Campus, and embodies the spirit and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph through retreats, spirituality and educational programs, and conferencing activity. In the words of their mission, and in all that they do, they are "…committed to promoting unity, reconciliation and harmony."

Ascension Health
Caring for those who are sick, especially those who are sick and poor, has been a part of the ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph from our founding in LePuy, France in 1650. Healthcare was one of our founding ministries in Michigan in 1889. Between that time and the 1990s our network of hospitals and related health care facilities and services grew throughout Michigan, with centers in Kalamazoo (Borgess Health Alliance), Detroit (St. John Health), Flint (Genesys Health), Tawas (St. Joseph Health System), and became known as the Sisters of St. Joseph Health System.

In 1999 the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth came together with four of the U.S. Provinces of the Daughters of Charity to create a new jointly sponsored health ministry - Ascension Health. In November of 2002 the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet brought their Carondelet Health System into Ascension Health and became the sixth sponsor, along with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth and the Daughters of Charity.

In coming together the six sponsors stated that: Together, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth commit to sponsorship of a healthcare ministry that enables us to better serve our communities and to give tangible expression to our Mission. We...share dedication to this sponsorship and to our health ministry. We renew our commitment to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ through our Catholic healthcare ministry.

Serving the health care needs in 20 states and the District of Columbia, Ascension Health is currently the largest Catholic health system in the United States. Ascension Health has committed itself to action and advocacy for:

For more information on Ascension Health visit their web site: www.ascensionhealth.org

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