By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent

After more than 100 years of service, the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph have officially concluded their ministry in the Trenton Diocese. But the work, dedication and zeal of the members of the community which was founded in a Trenton Diocesan Parish – St. Stanislaus, Trenton, in 1897 – will be remembered for many years to come.

The last two sisters to serve in the Diocese, Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph Karen Crawford and Loretta Janiszewski, were feted during a June 8 celebration, six days before they returned to live in their community’s motherhouse in Hamburg, N.Y. A Mass was celebrated in St. Stanislaus Church, a worship site of Divine Mercy Parish, by Father Dennis Apoldite, pastor, with Msgr. Edward Arnister, former pastor, concelebrating and more than 200 fellow parishioners in attendance.

“They were truly a gift to the parish, a blessing to the parish,” said Msgr. Arnister, who is now pastor of St. Rose Parish, Belmar.

The Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph traces its history to the late 1800s when Sister Colette, who was a member of the Sisters of Charity of St. Charles Borromeo and four novices were sent to the United States to educate students in St. Stanislaus Parish, Pittsburgh. In 1897, Sister Colette was transferred to Trenton and established a new congregation in St. Stanislaus Parish. With the assistance of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual who staffed St. Stanislaus Parish, Pope Leo XIII had granted Sister Colette permission to establish the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph which had as its mission of service to God’s people through education and charitable works.

“…I believe they summarize Pope Francis’ Evangelli Gaudium: The Joy of the Gospel. They brought the joy and love of Christ to so many people,” said Msgr. Arnister, as he reflected on the charisms of the Franciscan Sisters of St. Joseph – fraternity, simplicity, servanthood and joy.

Father Apoldite lauded the Sisters’ long-standing relationship with the Trenton community, then exhorted his parishioners to “continue the mission of the sisters.”

Directing his remarks to Sisters Karen and Loretta, Father Apoldite spoke warmly of how they “accomplished the mission” of their community’s founding members and to “take great comfort in knowing their good works will continue.”

Karen and Loretta ministered to the infirmed and homebound parishioners as well as in the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and Mercy House, which was established in Divine Mercy Parish in 2008 to provide food, toiletries and household items to people in need in the parish and surrounding areas.

Sister Loretta, who professed her final vows in 1945, served in the Trenton Diocese from 1952 to 1976. After spending 12 years ministering in Chicopee, Mass., she returned to St. Stanislaus Parish in 1988 and had since served the parish by visiting the sick and homebound and hospitalized.

Sister Loretta, who will be remembered by Divine Mercy parishioners for the many miles she walked around the city of Trenton ministering to people, said that while she will miss the people of the Trenton Diocese, she is looking forward to “getting to know the sisters in New York better” and hopes she can continue visiting the sick and homebound.

Sister Karen professed her final vows in 1969 and has served in Detroit, Rochester, Buffalo and Westfield, Mass., in addition to the Trenton Diocese.

Recalling how she always had a heart for the poor, Sister Karen said, “the poor are not always those who are monetarily poor.”

The people here have been (in Trenton) gifts to us. They have truly inspired me,” she said, then added that she will “continue to carry them all in her heart and that she will continue to pray for the people of Trenton.”

Sister Karen was especially grateful that she was able to renew her religious vows during the June 8 Mass, in the same church where her community’s foundress, Mother Colette, had professed her vows 117 years earlier.

Sister Loretta and Sister Karen regard their move to Hamburg as being bittersweet, though Sister Karen is happy that she will be living closer to her family in upstate New York.

Sharing that her favorite saying is “God will provide,” Sister Loretta is confident that in her new venture in New York, “whatever God’s plan is, I know it will be good and holy.”