"In a world where there are many voices, we might well ask, How do we know which voice is the voice of God? How do we discern a vocation to religious life? Usually, the call is ‘of the Spirit’ when it touches what we feel we need most to do and what the world needs to have done. In other words, my vocation is the place ‘where my deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.’” Jean Amore, CSJ President
Membership in the Sisters of St. Joseph is a decision that results from a woman’s response to her relationship with God. The focus of this relationship is intimacy with God, God’s people and care for all God’s creation. It’s a commitment to live a vowed life in community and participate in its mission to widen God’s circle of love to include all.
A woman seeking to join as a Sister makes a gradual transition to a vowed life in the following stages:
Vocation awareness
Learning more about CSJ (Pre-Candidate)
Candidate
Novitiate
Vows/Initial Profession
We welcome any woman who is interested to begin conversation with our Director of Vocation Development, S. Kerry Handal, CSJ at 631.273.1187 x42 or vocationscsj@aol.com
Mary Preenika Dabrera began her candidacy on September 19 at a ceremony held at Saint Patrick's Church in Long Island City. She was received into the community by Sister Jean Amore, President, and welcomed by the many Sisters who were present. The ceremony was followed by refreshments in the convent.
Preenika will be living in the community at Saint Patrick's Convent and continue her ministry at St. Luke's Hospital in Manhattan.
Although now a United States citizen, Preenika was born in Sri Lanka. She has had a variety of work experiences which have taught her how to work with people who come from different parts of the world.
Heather Ganz joined our community on Sunday, September 5, 2010 during a special welcoming ceremony in Sacred Heart Church in North Merrick. It was attended by her family, friends, parishioners and Sisters of St. Joseph. Afterwards, all were invited back to the convent for refreshments
Heather is from St. Thomas Moore Parish in Hauppauge where she has been active in teaching religious education, singing in the choir, and participating in a number of other activities. She is 25 years old and a special education teacher. Heather received her Bachelor's Degree from St. Joseph's College and earned a Master's Degree in Education from Long Island University with a specialization in Literacy. Currently, she is on the faculty of Building Blocks Developmental Preschool in Commack as a special education itinerant teacher and elementary school teacher.
Heather will be a member of the local community of Sisters of St. Joseph at Sacred Heart Parish in North Merrick and will continue her present work.
This past summer Heather enjoyed a trip to Austria.
Sister Lynn Caton professed first vows on August 1, 2009.
Lynn is one of six children and a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in West Islip. She raised a son Michael, who is now grown and married. After spending many years in the corporate world, Lynn began to feel a sense of being called to something different. Having had very little contact with women religious, it took some time for her to discover her call was to be lived through religious vows.
As she explored further, she learned it is possible for a woman who had been married to enter religious life. With the help of spiritual and vocation directors from several religious communities plus an openness to God's call, Lynn made her decision to live out her baptismal call with the Sisters of St. Joseph here in Brentwood.
See Events Page for information on Evenings for Women Exploring Life Choices: Claiming Your Power in a Changing World
Mary Preenika Dabrera began her candidacy on September 19 at a ceremony held at Saint Patrick's Church in Long Island City. She was received into the community by Sister Jean Amore, President, and welcomed by the many Sisters who were present. The ceremony was followed by refreshments in the convent.
special welcoming ceremony in Sacred Heart Church in North Merrick. It was attended by her family, friends, parishioners and Sisters of St. Joseph. Afterwards, all were invited back to the convent for refreshments 
Sister Lynn Caton professed first