April 2, 2017

Sisters of St. Joseph elect new leadership team

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield elect new leadership team. From left to right: Sister Angela Deady, vice president elect; Sister Shirley Anne Campbell, leadership team member; Sister Patricia Smith, leadership team member; and Sister Joan Ryzewicz, president elect.

HOLYOKE – After three days of meeting, praying and discerning, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield elected a new leadership team Sunday, April 2, while gathered at Mont Marie in Holyoke. The meeting, called the Chapter of Election, takes place every few years.

“It’s sheer joy. The wonderful sisters we’ve elected will now carry the community forward,” said Sister of St. Joseph Maxyne Schneider, who has been the president of the congregation since 2011.

The members of the new leadership team are Sister Joan Ryzewicz, president elect; Sister Angela Deady, vice president elect; Sister Shirley Anne Campbell, leadership team member; and Sister Patricia Smith, leadership team member. The sisters will officially assume their roles June 25, when the transfer of leadership takes place.

Sister Ryzewicz, who grew up in Springfield, is currently serving as the program director at Providence Place Retirement Community. She celebrated her jubilee with the Sisters of St. Joseph last October.

“I will represent the will of the sisters and hopefully be guiding them in the direction our Chapter of Affairs has articulated for us, working with the team to make sure our members are cared for and our mission and ministries are continued,” said Sister Ryzewicz.

Sister Deady, a native of Chicopee, will serve as vice president of the congregation. Sister Deady taught at Holyoke Catholic High School before becoming pastoral minister at All Saints Parish in Ware.

Leadership team member Sister Campbell, who is from Montreal, Canada, is a case manager at Baystate Noble Hospital in Westfield. She said she is looking forward to her new role.

“It’s a faith-filled vocation. You’re not in it for any glory or financial gain. You’re in it to be of service to God’s people,” Sister Campbell said. “It’s a blessing.”

Sister Smith, who is from West Springfield, taught at Cathedral High School and ministered in Africa for 42 years. She is currently ministering at Genesis Retreat Center.

The Sisters of St. Joseph has 199 members in the congregation. The new leadership team will serve until June of 2022.

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” the Diocese of Springfield’s weekly television news magazine, which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22 NEWS.