As the Sisters strive to meet these ever changing needs of the world, they serve all kinds of people, in all kinds of circumstances.

They may be found in schools and hospitals, on college campuses, in prisons, in hospices, shelters for the homeless and peace and justice centers. Founded in seventeenth century France, the Congregation was the first active order to send its members out into the world to care for prisoners, the homeless and the orphaned.

The Congregation, committed to intergenerational activities as a response to the breakdown in society, has determined to support any ministry that will enhance its mission of unity--hence, the urgency of the Sisters to surface ways to help them continue their response to multiple needs.

The goal of the home is ultimate reunification of the child with parent or parents. The Sister of St. Joseph who founded the home is a certified child-care technician.

In every life a little rain must fall, but some children find it early on -- some even at birth. Wellspring of Life is a home to care for medically fragile babies and children; those showing signs of failure to thrive; those suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome, AIDS or crack addiction.

In another ministry at our Community Living Center since 1979, a Sister of St. Joseph has served as foster mother to 118 babies awaiting adoption. Other Sisters assist her in the care of the babies. In 1996 parents of the children, honored the foster mother on the occasion of her 75th birthday at a reunion of many of the children and their parents.

Bethany House fills the need of a place for a woman and her children to go to really get her life back together. "--a woman who has gone through a treatment program, has regained self-esteem and is ready to re-enter society, often, must return to the same environment that has caused her problem." With a one to three year contact with the Sisters, each woman tries to achieve defined goals.

ERIE DAWN stands for Dwelling and Advocacy for Women in Need. A 1995 collaborative program of the Sisters of St. Benedict, the Sisters of Mercy and the Sisters of St. Joseph, it is a response to the housing crisis for women and children in the Erie Community.

Its goals are to seek affordable housing in safe areas for women and children by contacting realtors and individual landowners and to provide advocates for the women accepted into the program.

St. Patrick Haven opened in the winter of 1984 to provide nightly refuge for homeless men in Erie.

It is a place to sleep, bathe, relax and converse but it does not include meals, except for weekends, or a program of rehabilitation.

St. James Haven for homeless men in the Meadville area opened in the fall of 1997. Associates of the Congregation took the initiative to sponsor this shelter, using St. Patrick Haven as a model.

Maryvale Apartments, opened on the Villa Maria Center campus in 1996, ae HUD financed for frail elderly.

The Sisters presently have plans underway for the renovation of another building on Villa Maria Center campus for apartments to accommodate seniors in the middle income range. Construction will begin July 1998.

Villa Maria Apartments, 819 West Eighth Street in Erie, is presently under construction at the former site of the Motherhouse of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Embracing an entire city block, the renovated property has two phases: 41 units of affordable housing for low income elderly; and 40 town houses for low income single parents with children. Phase I opened in February 1998 and Phase II will be ready for occupancy in early 1999.

Education is one of the Sisters' longest standing ministries. On May 24, 1993 Villa Maria Center at 2551 West Eighth Street was incorporated by the Congregation on the campus of the former Villa Maria College. It officially opened July 1, 1993.

The Center serves the residents in the tri-state area of northwestern Pennsylvania, northeastern Ohio and southwestern New York by providing educational services, resources and opportunities for professional and personal, enrichment year around. It includes Villa Maria Elementary School, founded in 1892. Strong academic programs, challenging activities and dynamic parent involvement are the school's hallmark.

Villa Maria Academy is also located at the Center.

Originally an academy for girls, the school became co-educational in 1989. The Academy offers a multiple of opportunities to all students in classroom instruction, activities, on-hands experience, sports, multicultural exchanges, art, drama and music.

Villa Maria Child Care, a licencedand certified institution paved the way for the intergenerational concept that is the Congregations vision for the VMC.

St. Mary's Home of Erie, founded in 1884, continues to expand to meet the needs of the elderly on all levels of care. Intergenerational activities abound. Persons seeking care for themselves or a family member will find outstanding, professional care in all areas of the Home--Residence, Nursing and Alzheimer Units, and Adult Day Care.

Saint Vincent Health Center has served the needs of the people of Erie and beyond since 1875. Its Mission Statement reads:

"Inspired by the Sisters of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Saint Vincent Health System is a community of caregivers dedicated to bringing Gods healing love to all and committed to compassion and excellence in the delivery of a continuum of holistic care."

In addition to major involvment in services within and for the Diocese of Erie and the foregoing ministries, a number Sisters are engaged in meeting unique needs as they arise, in and beyond the Diocese of Erie.