Un aniversario especial y una renovación de votos en Japón

El 4 de octubre, la Hermana Marie de Lourdes Kuroki, CSJ, renovó sus votos en Tsu, Japón. Fue un momento especial, ya que el día anterior se cumplió el 70.º aniversario de la llegada de las Hermanas de San José de Carondelet a Japón para llevar a cabo su labor misionera. Hoy en día, contamos con 10 hermanas japonesas. Tres hermanas de Estados Unidos nos visitaron para estas ocasiones especiales: las Hermanas Gail Trippett y Eileen McCann, del Equipo de Liderazgo Congregacional, y la Hermana Joann Heinritz, quien colabora con nuestras hermanas en profesión temporal (aquellas que han completado su noviciado pero aún no han hecho sus votos perpetuos).

El 3 de octubre, las hermanas del Convento de Tsu se reunieron con la Hermana Marie de Lourdes y las Hermanas Gail, Irene y Joann para celebrar el 70.º aniversario de nuestra misión en Japón. La Hermana Lucía Yamada dijo: «Durante nuestras oraciones sentimos profundamente la espiritualidad de nuestra congregación: “一つの愛、多くの道のり、一つのミッション” (Un amor, muchos caminos, una misión), lo cual nos recuerda que, aunque nuestros caminos puedan diferir, compartimos un mismo amor y una misma misión. Además, sentimos una profunda gratitud hacia las hermanas estadounidenses y japonesas que han servido a la misión en Japón a lo largo de los años y que ahora se regocijan en el cielo».

Al día siguiente, las hermanas se reunieron nuevamente para la ceremonia de renovación de votos de la Hermana Marie de Lourdes. Con amor y gratitud, la Hermana Marie de Lourdes escribe: «Estoy profundamente agradecida de haber podido renovar mis votos en paz, rodeada del amor y las bendiciones de las Hermanas Gail Trippett, CSJ, y Eileen McCann, CSJ, de nuestro Equipo de Liderazgo Congregacional; mi directora, la Hermana Joann Heinritz, CSJ; y las hermanas de la comunidad de Tsu. Les agradezco sinceramente a todas por sus oraciones, su apoyo y su gran amor. ¡Muchas gracias!»

Al día siguiente, las hermanas estadounidenses pudieron visitar la escuela secundaria para niñas que patrocinamos en Japón, San Joseph Joshi Gakuen. La Hermana Lucía, quien desde hace mucho tiempo coordina este tipo de visitas, las guió por los pasillos y les explicó cómo la escuela encarna nuestros valores fundacionales y sigue dando forma a la misión que compartimos hoy en día. Además, pudieron participar en la reunión matutina del personal docente junto con los maestros.

En los días siguientes, nuestras tres hermanas que nos visitaron desde Norteamérica —las Hermanas Gail, Eileen y Joann— pasaron unos días en Tokio. Durante su estancia, se reunieron con algunas amigas de la hermana Marie de Lourdes —las hermanas Maryknoll, una hermana de las Hijas del Corazón de María y otras mujeres consagradas— con quienes ella comparte un ministerio de aliento mutuo. Disfrutaron de animadas conversaciones sobre el futuro de su vida religiosa.

Al reflexionar sobre el rico legado espiritual que ha dado forma a nuestra comunidad, reafirmamos nuestra determinación colectiva de continuar con nuestra misión en Japón, tal como lo hemos hecho durante generaciones.

Gracias a Marie de Lourdes Kuroki, CSJ, y a Lucía Yamada, CSJ, por su contribución a este artículo.

10月4日、CSJのマリー・ド・ルルド・黒木シスターが、日本の津市で誓願を更新しました。この日は、カロンデレットの聖ヨゼフ修道会が宣教活動を行うために来日してから70周年を迎えた翌日にあたるため、特別なタイミングとなりました。現在、当会には10名の日本人シスターが在籍しています。この特別な行事に合わせ、米国から3名のシスターが訪れました。修道会リーダーシップチームのゲイル・トリペットシスターとアイリーン・マッキャンシスター、そして暫定誓願者（修練期を終えたものの、まだ終身誓願を立てていないシスターたち）と共に奉仕活動を行っているジョアン・ハインリッツシスターです。

10月3日、津修道院のシスターたちは、マリー・ド・ルルド修道女、ゲイル、アイリーン、ジョアンの各シスターと共に、日本での宣教70周年を祝う集いを行いました。山田ルシア修道女は次のように述べました。「祈りの最中、私たちは修道会の霊性である『一つの愛、多くの道のり、一つのミッション』を強く感じました。これは、私たちの歩む道は異なっても、一つの愛と一つの使命を分かち合っていることを思い出させてくれます。さらに、長年にわたり日本での宣教に献身し、今や天国で喜びを分かち合っているアメリカ人および日本人のシスターたちに対し、深い感謝の念を抱いています。」

翌日、シスターたちはマリー・ド・ルルド修道女の誓願更新式のために再び集まりました。マリー・ド・ルルド修道女は、感謝と祈りを込めて次のように記しています。「修道会リーダーシップチームのゲイル・トリペット修道女（CSJ）とアイリーン・マッキャン修道女（CSJ）、私の指導者であるジョアン・ハインリッツ修道女（CSJ）、そして津（ツ）共同体の姉妹たちの愛と祝福に包まれ、平穏のうちに誓いを更新することができたことに、心から感謝しています。皆様の祈り、支え、そして深い愛に心から感謝いたします。本当にありがとうございました！」

翌日、アメリカ姉妹たちは、私たちが日本で支援している女子高校「セント・ジョセフ女子学園」を訪問することができました。長年にわたりこうした訪問を案内してきたルシア修道女が、校舎の廊下を案内しながら、同校がいかにして私たちの創設の価値観を体現し、今日私たちが共有する使命を形作り続けているかを説明してくれました。また、彼女たちは朝の教員会議に教員たちと共に参加することができました。

その後数日間、北米から訪ねてきた3人のシスター、ゲイル、アイリーン、ジョアンの各シスターは、東京で数日間を過ごしました。滞在中、彼女たちはマリー・ド・ルルド・シスターの友人たち――メアリーノール修道会のシスターたち、「マリアの御心の娘たち」のシスター、そしてその他の奉献生活を送る女性たち――と面会しました。マリー・ド・ルルド・シスターは、彼女たちと互いに励まし合う奉仕活動を共にしています。彼女たちは、自分たちの修道生活の将来について、活気あふれる会話を楽しみました。

私たちのコミュニティを形作ってきた豊かな精神的遺産を振り返りつつ、私たちは、これまで何世代にもわたってそうしてきたように、日本における使命を継続していくという共通の決意を改めて固めます。

この記事の執筆にご協力いただいた、マリー・ド・ルルド・黒木（CSJ）とルシア・山田（CSJ）にお礼申し上げます。

On October 4, Sister Marie de Lourdes Kuroki, CSJ renewed her vows in Tsu, Japan. This was special timing as the day before marked the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Japan to carry out missionary work. Today, we have 10 Japanese sisters. Three sisters from the United States visited for these special occasions: Sisters Gail Trippett and Eileen McCann from the Congregational Leadership Team and Sister Joann Heinritz, who ministers with our sisters in temporary profession (those who have completed their novitiate but not yet taken final vows).

On October 3, the sisters from Tsu Convent gathered with Sister Marie de Lourdes and Sisters Gail, Irene and Joann for a celebration of the 70th anniversary of our mission in Japan. Sister Lucia Yamada said, “During our prayers we felt a strong sense of our congregation’s spirituality, “一つの愛、多くの道のり、一つのミッション” (One Love, Many Paths, One Mission), which reminds us that, though our paths may differ, we share one love and one mission. Furthermore, we experience a profound gratitude toward the American and Japanese sisters who have served the mission in Japan over the years and who now rejoice in heaven.”

The next day, the sisters gathered again for Sister Marie de Lourdes’ vow renewal ceremony. With love and gratitude, Sister Marie de Lourdes writes: “I am deeply grateful that I was able to renew my vows in peace, surrounded by the love and blessings of Sisters Gail Trippett, CSJ and Eileen McCann, CSJ from our Congregational Leadership Team; my director, Sister Joann Heinritz, CSJ; and the sisters of the Tsu Community. I sincerely thank all of you for your prayers, support and great love. Thank you very much!”

The next day, the America sisters we able to visit the girls high school we sponsor in Japan, St. Joseph Joshi Gakuen. Sister Lucia, who has long guided such visits, led them through the hallways, explaining how the school embodies our founding values and continues to shape the mission we share today. They were able to join the teachers for their morning staff meeting.

In the following days, our three sisters visiting from North America, Sisters Gail, Eileen, and Joann, spent a few days in Tokyo. While there, they met some of Sister Marie de Lourdes’ friends—the Maryknoll Sisters, a sister from the Daughters of the Heart of Mary and other consecrated women—with whom she shares a ministry of mutual encouragement. They enjoyed lively conversations about the future of their religious life.

As we reflect on the rich spiritual heritage that has shaped our community, we reaffirm our collective determination to continue our mission in Japan, just as we have done for generations.

Thank you to Marie de Lourdes Kuroki, CSJ and Lucia Yamada, CSJ for contributing to this story.

July 14, 1933 – October 9, 2026

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Florence Majewski, who died peacefully at the Teresian House in Albany, New York on October 9, 2026. She had been a Sister of St Joseph for 69 years.

Sister Florence was born in Johnson City, New York, the eighth child of Mary Tabaka and Francis Majeweski. After high school, Florence attended The College of Saint Rose in Albany, completing two degrees. Florence then entered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, receiving the religious habit in 1958 and professing her final vows in 1965.

For several years, Sister Florence taught biology and related subjects, eventually returning to Binghamton, New York. She was an amazing teacher, able to reach each student. Other calls were beckoning though, and she moved into hospital pastoral care. Florence was a person of great compassion, and this ministry was a natural fit. At the same time, Florence was studying body balancing and reflexology, eager to offer these skills to those who were coming to her.

Sister Florence’s gifts were new, but the word spread that these approaches could help many, and soon Florence found herself with clients. She loved this ministry; she welcomed clients locally and periodically drove to Latham, New York to treat many of the sisters.

With community’s blessing, Sister Florence and Sister Anne Horrigan moved into an apartment adjacent to a funeral home. In addition to their other ministries, they became welcoming faces to the bereaved. They prayed with everyone who asked for assistance. As one friend said, they were known all over Binghamton.

Eventually Sister Florence realized that she needed to retire from her many ministries. She moved to St Joseph’s Provincial House until it became appropriate to move, with Sister Anne, to the Teresian House, where she continued a rich prayer life as she remembered the many she had helped.

Sister Florence was predeceased by her parents, her siblings and a host of loving relatives. She is mourned by aunts Rose Marie Burgher and Margie Johnson, her nephews: Michael Polesnak, John Polesnak , Bill Polesnak, Fran Majewski, Dennis Majewski, Dan Majewski, AJ Majewski and Mark Majewski. Her great-nephews Kevin Burger and Ryan Johnson, her great-nieces Lyndsy Johnson and Karen Hoover and their families; and the Sisters of St. Joseph, especially Sister Anne Horrigan. She will be remembered with love and gratitude.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, October 15 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Provincial House in Latham. Sister Florence requested there be no wake.

Contributions to Sister Florence’s name may be made to Office of Advancement, St. Joseph’s Provincial House, 385 Watervliet-Shaker Road, Latham, NY. 12230 or donate online.

January 22, 1926 – September 28, 2026

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sister Josefa Therese Lee, who died peacefully on September 28, 2026 at St. John of God Retirement Home in Los Angeles. She was 100 years old.

Josefa was born in San Francisco on January 22, 1926. With her older sister Edna, she attended Chinese grade school and high school there. Her mother died when Josefa was one year old, and she was raised by her grandmother.

Sister Josefa entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1951 after one semester at Mount St. Mary’s College. In 2022, she quietly and gratefully celebrated her 70th Jubilee as a Sister of St. Joseph.

Sister Josefa’s first mission was at St. Mary’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona, where she served in the Central Supply Department. This experience prepared her to become Supervisor of Central Supply at Daniel Freeman Hospital, where she ministered for 16 years. Josefa cultivated many talents and used them generously in service to others. As a licensed cosmetologist, she served the sisters in her hair salon at Carondelet Center for nearly 40 years.

She was soft-spoken and expressed her opinions with gentleness and grace. She had a deep prayer life and lived with a constant awareness of God’s loving presence.

She truly enjoyed marking 100th birthday in January with her many friends from her years in ministry and the CSJ community. In her final years at St. John of God, she maintained a quiet, faithful presence at every gathering and was often seen right at the front of the chapel for daily Mass and alone in the chapel for her sacred time there.

We will share funeral details here when arrangements are made.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, Los Angeles Province, 1119 Westchester Place, Los Angeles, CA 90019 or donate online.

May she rest in peace.

Niños del Salón San José

Después de hacer sus tareas, los niños del Salón San José días jueves, tienen un momento para jugar, recrear el.espieitu y cuidar su bienestar emocional!

En la Parroquia San Cristóbal, diferentes parejas se vienen preparando con entusiasmo para recibir el Sacramento del Matrimonio, dando un paso importante en su camino de amor y compromiso.

Como parte de esta preparación, yo, como psicóloga y religiosa, acompaña a las parejas a través de charlas que integran una mirada sistémica de la relación de pareja con una perspectiva espiritual. Desde este enfoque, se abordan temas como la comunicación, el manejo de los conflictos, las expectativas, la historia personal de cada uno y la importancia de construir un proyecto de vida compartido.

Esta combinación entre psicología y espiritualidad busca que las parejas no solo se preparen para celebrar su matrimonio, sino también para fortalecer el vínculo que están construyendo, reconocerse mutuamente, aprender a caminar juntos y afrontar los desafíos de la vida matrimonial con amor, diálogo y compromiso.

Así, la preparación se convierte en un espacio para detenerse, escucharse y descubrir que el matrimonio no es solamente un día de celebración, sino un camino que se construye cada día, en el encuentro, el cuidado y la decisión de elegirse mutuamente.

Children from the San José Classroom

After finishing their homework on Thursdays, children from the San José Classroom have some time to play, have fun and take care of their emotional well-being!

At St. Christopher Parish, several couples have been enthusiastically preparing to receive the Sacrament of Matrimony, taking an important step on their journey of love and commitment.

As part of this preparation, I, as a psychologist and religious sister, guide the couples through sessions that integrate a systemic view of the couple’s relationship with a spiritual perspective. From this approach, topics such as communication, conflict resolution, expectations, each partner’s personal history and the importance of building a shared life plan are addressed.

This combination of psychology and spirituality aims to help couples not only prepare to celebrate their marriage but also to strengthen the bond they are building, recognize each other, learn to walk together and face the challenges of married life with love, dialogue, and commitment.

Thus, the preparation becomes a space to pause, listen to one another and discover that marriage is not just a day of celebration, but a journey built day by day through connection, care, and the decision to choose one another.

January 11, 1934 – September 20, 2026

Please pray for the repose of soul of Sister Donna Vosika, who died peacefully on September 20, 2026 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Sister Donna was kind, contemplative, and quiet, with an abiding, unwavering faith in God. She loved ice cream, playing cards, and was an accomplished quilter whose many quilts brought comfort to people of all ages.

She was born in Minneapolis to Raymond and Mabel (L’Herault) on January 11, 1934, and died at Regions Hospital in St. Paul on September 20, 2026.

Donna dedicated her life to following the will of God, and at 17 she entered the community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in St. Paul. In 1962, Donna earned a bachelor of arts in sociology and education from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, and continued courses toward a master of arts in education, and courses in office management.

She spent the first 16 years of her ministry teaching hundreds of little ones how to read. She taught at St. John, St. Mark, Holy Spirit, and St. Patrick schools in St. Paul; St. Lawrence in Minneapolis; St. Pius in White Bear Lake; and St. Mary in LeCenter. After teaching, Donna spent nearly 40 years at the Administration Building of the Sisters of St. Joseph. She worked as a secretary, with communications, and spent 12 of those years with Good Ground Press working as a Design Technician. All who loved her will dearly miss her gentle demeanor, mischievous sense of humor, and the twinkle in her eye.

Donna is preceded in death by her parents and her brother Raymond J. Vosika. She is survived by her sisters Judith Boettcher, Dolores Jackson, Patricia Gustafson, and Susan Wilm; many nieces, nephews; grandnieces and nephews; and great grandnieces and nephews, and one great-great grandnephew; dear friends; and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet and Consociates.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on September 29, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady of the Presentation Chapel, 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, with burial at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minnesota.

Memorials in her honor preferred to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, St. Paul Province Retirement Fund.

Dear Donna, rest in love and peace.

8月、私は一時誓願を立てているシスターや、過去3年以内に終身誓願を立てたシスターを対象とした年次ワークショップに参加しました。東京のイエズス会リトリートハウスで開催されたこのワークショップには、今年は31名が参加しました（そのうち日本人は7名のみでした）。

私たちは、現代社会における三つの誓いの意味や、AIやスマートフォンとの関わり方をどう築いていくかといったテーマについて、学び合い、意見を交わしました。また、夕方には親睦のひとときも楽しみました。

この集まりは年々多文化化が進んでいると感じます。これはおそらく、日本の教会の将来の姿を反映しているのではないでしょうか。少子高齢化や多文化化の進展など、私たちが直面する様々な課題があるとはいえ、これらの課題を一つひとつ希望へと変えていき、共にこの道を歩んでいけることを願っています。

In August, I participated in the annual workshop for sisters with temporary vows or who have made perpetual vows within the last three years. Held at the Jesuit Retreat House in Tokyo, there were 31 participants this year (only seven were Japanese).

We engaged in learning and sharing about topics such as the meaning of the three vows in the modern world and how to navigate our relationship with AI and smartphones. We also enjoying fellowship in the evenings.

I sense that the group is becoming increasingly multicultural each year; this likely reflects the future face of the Church in Japan. Despite the various challenges we face—such as an aging society with a declining birthrate and increasing multicultural diversity—I hope we can transform each of these challenges into hope and walk this path together.