Sisters of St. Joseph | Brentwood, NY

We hope you discover more
about us and how we share God’s gifts in addressing the needs of this ever-changing world.

In 17th century France in the small village of LePuy, six courageous women envisioned a community rooted in the ‘great love of God and neighbor without distinction.’ Living among the people and moved by this love, these ‘sisters of the neighborhood’ responded to whatever were the needs of the times.

LePuy
In the spirit of their founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph continue to work tirelessly to bring God’s inclusive love to schools, hospitals, orphanages, health care centers, educational programs for immigrant women, the imprisoned and the forgotten, as well as supporting social justice and eco justice issues.

Join with us in prayer every day. You'll find a thought to reflect on and a short prayer along with suggested action. Our hope is to help you focus on your spiritual journey.

For further reflection, action, and suggested reading, click here.

Would you like the Sisters to join you in prayer for your special intentions? Zclacsj@aol.com

If you would like to locate a Sister of
St. Joseph who taught you... inspired
you... made a difference in your life,
contact archivist@csjbrentwood.org

Sister Mary Lou Buser has her degree in science and is also a certified Physical Therapist. Her first love, however, has always been the earth and the environment. This interest began when, as a child, she had an outdoor Victory Garden during World War II.

While teaching secondary school science, she grew an organic garden in the backyard of the convent. As one of the original members of the Congregational ecology group (Earth Matters) in the 1980s, she suggested that we create an organic garden on the grounds of the Motherhouse. Presently, the garden continues as an instructional, productive organic one which also includes ten active bee hives producing over 200 lbs of honey each year which is sold at our Congregational gift shops.

Visitors to the garden learn about bee keeping, composting, vermiculture, companion planting, native and flowering plants which attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. Last year, S. Mary Lou introduced instruction on the harm caused by alien and invasive plants. Visitors are always welcome to share in the fresh produce of the day.

She is presently working in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension on a NY State funded project concerning good nutrition. The goal of the project is to teach children from the Shepherd’s Gate Program how to grow food organically and then eat healthily. It will take place in a new garden on our grounds. The children and their parents will be involved in developing and maintaining this garden.

Besides the Brentwood garden, Sister developed a small organic vegetable garden at Sweetbriar Nature Center and has volunteered with other gardeners in maintaining the formal flower gardens at Sweetbriar.

Additionally, S. Mary Lou has given talks in parishes and other local groups on a variety of environmental issues as well as The Universe Story. At Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish, she works with the group "Roundtable for the Common Good." This year they're concentrating on reverence for the earth with emphasis on the relationship between the degradation of the earth and poverty.

She has also designed a labyrinth on our Brentwood grounds, guided its construction and is planning monthly, guided walks.

What motivates S. Mary Lou is the hope of raising awareness of the unity of all creation and the ability and power we have to effect change within ourselves and others.