It won’t be long before St. Joseph Sister Rose McDermott gets to practice what she teaches. And she is looking forward to it.

Effective July 1, Sister Rose will begin making the transition from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., where she has served on the faculty as a professor of canon law for the past 19 years, to become the new diocesan delegate for religious and institutes for consecrated life.

“While my work at CUA has been strictly academia and I’ve enjoyed my academic career, I would also like an opportunity to practice my law as well as teach it and I see my being able to do both in Trenton,” said Sister Rose.

At CUA, she said, “We form canon lawyers whether they are priests, religious or laity, but now I see my work in Trenton as being more of a practitioner who will not only educate but also be involved in the life and the various missions of the religious and support them in that way.”

In announcing Sister Rose’s appointment, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., expressed how “delighted” he is that she “will be joining the diocesan staff here in Trenton” although her appointment becomes effective July 1, she will assume her responsibilities in the diocesan Chancery on Sept. 1 following a summer teaching assignment at CUA.

 “I have known her since my earliest days in the seminary and have always been impressed by her competence, professionalism, love for the Church and her kindness. She will bring incredible gifts to the service of the Church here, especially to our wonderfully dedicated religious women and men,” said Bishop O’Connell.

Acknowledging Sister Rose as an “internationally recognized expert in canon law,” Bishop O’Connell noted that he had worked with Sister Rose during the 12 years he was as president of CUA.

Sister Rose’s tenure in CUA’s School of Canon Law, where she specialized in Church law dealing with the sacraments and consecrated life and ministry, began in 1990 as a part-time lecturer. She then advanced to full-time assistant professor in 1993 and then to full-time associate professor in 1999. In 2007, she was appointed by then Father David M. O’Connell, C.M., university president, to serve a two-year term as interim dean of the School of Canon Law.

In her capacity as diocesan Delegate for Religious and Institutes for Consecrated Life, Sister Rose will work closely with Father Thomas J. Mullelly, vicar for the diocesan Office of Clergy and Consecrated Life, and will serve as Bishop O’Connell’s official representative with the religious of the diocese.

Noting that there are currently a total of 403 religious men and women serving in the diocese who represent 49 congregations, Father Mullelly said that Sister Rose will be responsible for addressing the spiritual needs of religious who serve in the diocese, as well as providing opportunities for the religious to enhance their spiritual lives. He also anticipates other duties will include coordinating ongoing educational opportunities for the religious and preparing celebrations that mark significant events and milestones in the lives of the religious.

Sister Rose will also be actively involved with the diocesan diaconate formation program and developing the curriculum for those men who are studying to become deacons. She also takes an active interest in the ministry of the laity and would be willing to assist with teaching courses in the diocesan Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry program which forms lay women and men for professional leadership positions within the Church.

“We look forward to working with Sister Rose who is a well-known scholar in the area of canon law,” Father Mullelly said. “She has tremendous talents to bring to ministry to religious in the Diocese of Trenton.”

Sister Rose, who is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, holds a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Chestnut Hill College, Philadelphia, Pa. (1967), and a master’s degree in religious studies from Providence College, Providence, R.I. (1974). At The Catholic University of America, she was awarded a licentiate in canon law from the university’s School of Canon Law in 1977, followed by a doctorate in canon law degree in 1979.

Before embarking on her studies and ministry in canon law, Sister Rose taught for 15 years, from 1954-1969, in Catholic elementary and high schools in the Archdioceses of Philadelphia, Newark and Washington as well as in the Dioceses of Camden and Harrisburg.

Sister Rose had several ministerial assignments in which she gained experience in working with diocesan religious on an administrative level. She was director of formation for postulant and novices for the Sisters of St. Joseph for six years from 1969-1975. During the 14 years she was assigned to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, she served as assistant to the archdiocesan vicar for religious from 1979-1990, and as delegate for religious in the Office of Vicar for Religious from 1990-1993.

Sister Rose has numerous notable achievements to her name, including a number of published works and has served three five-year papal appointed terms as a consultor to the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life from 1995-2011.

Sister Rose has been a member of the Canon Law Society of America since 1977; she was the recipient of the society’s Role of Law Award in 2002 and, since 2010, has been a consultor to the committee and Secretariat of Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Reflecting on her new appointment, Sister Rose expressed words of appreciation to Bishop O’Connell: “I am so happy about this opportunity and I promise to do my utmost to represent you to those in consecrated life and assist in the diaconal and lay programs of the Diocese of Trenton.”