BRIGHTON -- The Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston participated in the Transition of Leadership for their congregation on June 24, 2012. Over 500 sisters, associates, colleagues, friends, and family members were present at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton for the Mass of celebration. The women who have been elected by the Congregation to serve in the ministry of leadership for the next six years are: Sisters Rosemary Brennan, CSJ, Marylou Cassidy, CSJ, Maureen Doherty, CSJ, Margaret L. Sullivan, CSJ, Roseann Amico, CSJ, Gail Donahue, CSJ, and Patricia E. McCarthy, CSJ.

Sister Rosemary Brennan, CSJ, moves into her position as president of the Sisters of St. Joseph from her current position as a general councilor. Other members of the Leadership Team completing their six-year term are: Sisters Mary L. Murphy, CSJ, president; Lee Hogan, CSJ, assistant president; and Marilyn McGoldrick, CSJ, general councilor; Brenda Forry, CSJ, Helen Sullivan, CSJ, and Ellen Powers, CSJ, area councilors.

During the past year, Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates entered into a year of discernment called "Chapter 2011-2012." A chapter year, which takes place every six years, is a time when all members of the congregation evaluate the past and envision the future. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and action. It is a time that sets the direction for the congregation to "move forward with confidence and hope," according to the CSJ Boston Constitution.

In her reflections at the end of the liturgy, Sister Rosemary Brennan said, "Each transition of leadership dares us to dream we can co-create a future which 'moves always towards profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction.' The passion and enthusiasm we have for being Sisters of St. Joseph and Associates is what impels us to live -- knowing that relationship is always at the heart of who we are; and when we find ourselves in situations which test our relationships we will always seek to live in and through our charism -- a charism that is our unique gift to our Church and our world."

Sister Rosemary continued, "As the new leadership team of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston, we assume our ministerial responsibilities with prayerful enthusiasm, heartfelt energy, and hope-filled excitement. We look forward to collaborating with you, our sisters, our associates, our partners in ministry, our brother priests, our family, and friends to forward the life and mission of the Congregation."