News - June 16, 2011
Sisters, Associates, Employees and Many Others Gather to Celebrate the History of Our Publications
Sister Margaret Byrne, CSJP, Congregation Leader of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, welcomed those gathered and recalled the publications begun by Mother Clare, our foundress, and continued by the Sisters and faithful friends in New Jersey: The Dove, The Orphans' Messenger and Working Girls' Friend, The Orphans' Messenger and Advocate of the Blind, St. Joseph's Messenger and Advocate of the Blind, and Living Peace.
We began by pausing
to remember and celebrate the commitment of all who were involved as well as the history of the Congregation which was reflected in the publications,
to commit to a future of hope and service,
to recognize the energy and creativity in the here and now.
God of all are days, you have travelled with us during these past 120+ years. You have participated in our struggles, shared the victories, been with us in our hopes, strenghtened us in faith. Today, as we leave the Magazine behind and move forward with Living Peace, we remember, give thanks, and give into your care all that is now in our past. Your living word is never silent, we pray that we may continue to speak that word to each new generation. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
A page of each of the publications was carried in to the chapel in procession and each was highlighted when an excerpt was read:
The Dove: There has been since the convent was opened a little paper, the Dove of Ireland...If we let it fall through it will be a great loss to us... (an excerpt from Mother Evangelista's letter to Bishop Wigger, February 19, 1989)
The Orphans' Messenger and Working Girls' Friend: ...The oldest copy is dated March 1894. The purpose of the magazine was two-fold: to unite the readers in a Union of Peace and Prayer, or the Pious Union of Prayer, as it became known, and to raise money for the works of charity carried on by the Sisters...
The Orphans' Messenger and Advocate of the Blind: A copy from exactly 100 years ago, June 1911, was one-fourth of a yearly subscription costing 25 cents. The pattern established then (and continuing for decades) consisted of stories, reflections, poems, requests for prayers and letters of glowing thanksgiving.
The Orphans' Messenger and Advocate of the Blind which later becomes St. Joseph's Messenger and Advocate of the Blind were published through the twentieth century and into the twenty-first. Generous donations from readers and some significant bequests help fund the works of the Congregation.
We prayed together a Litany of Remembrance for all those who have died:
who gave their blessing to the magazine
who worked as editors, type-setters
who worked in the Correspondence Department
who over the years have contributed generously by their prayer and financial support
We prayed a Litany of Gratitude for those with us:
who have worked most recently in the magazine office
who have written articles and poems, illustrated its pages or helped in its production
We prayed especially for the ministries to which the Orphans' Messenger and Advocate of the Blind was especially devoted - now Cusack Care Center, Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph's School for the Blind, and The York Street Project (All are located in Jersey City, New Jersey.)
Finally, we prayed a blessing on the new Living Peace 
magazine...May this periodical be a worthy successor to the magazines that have gone before, may it unite us in prayers and mission, and witness to our faith in the God who has led us through the years. Gracious God...with confidence we place our new magazine under your protection and guidance. We place ourselves in your hands. Amen
We continued the celebration by sharing in conversation and a meal over in the infirmary!