Fall months bring winds of change
Large oak tree in north lawn of Motherhouse.
October was a significant month in the life of our Congregation. In addition to having our annual Jubilee celebration for Sisters celebrating anniversaries in religious life, Hurricane Milton crossed the State of Florida in the days preceding Jubilee. What was even more impactful than a hurricane was the announcement late in October that the Congregation would be selling its historic Motherhouse, Our Lady of Lourdes Convent, and the St. Joseph Renewal Center. The Congregation had an Assembly on Oct. 26 at which Sister Kathleen Carr, our General Superior, had made the announcement to the Sisters.
A view of the Motherhouse from the northwest entrance.
This difficult decision was made only after a thorough evaluation of the facilities, which were designed for a different time. As Sister Kathleen wrote in a letter, “…we are now in need of a building that will be better suited to care for the Congregation and her ministries.”
Apostolic consecrated life has never been about buildings. It is about women and men who have made vows to God of poverty, chastity, and obedience in imitation of Jesus, and who live in community with prayer and service to others as a witness to the world of their love of God and love of the Dear Neighbor. Our Congregation came to St. Augustine in 1866 at the invitation of Bishop Augustin Verot. Eight French Sisters of St. Joseph came to teach the freed slaves and their children following the Civil War. When they arrived they first lived with Sisters of Mercy, who helped them learn how to speak English.
Sisters Ann Kuhn and Mary Alexius Murray were our 2024 Jubilarians, with Sister Alexius celebrating 75 years and Sister Ann 50 years.
One of the historic buildings the Congregation is keeping is the Father Miguel O’Reilly Museum. After being closed for several years due to the pandemic and needed repairs, plans are to re-open it by the end of the year. This former home of an Irish priest who studied in Spain and served the Cathedral will help tell our Congregation’s story in Catholic history in Florida.
During November, All Souls month in the Church, we remember all our faithful departed. At Thanksgiving we recall our many blessings as a nation and give thanks. For Floridians, Nov. 30th is the end of our hurricane season! I give thanks to God for the gift of my religious vocation as a Sister of St. Joseph, and for the blessing of living in our beautiful Motherhouse as long as I have.
Our greatest blessing, however, is God’s unconditional love for each of us, which helps us let go of things we love, and face the future trusting that all will be well.