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Home > Ministries > History |
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Home > Ministries > History |
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History
of the Joseph House 1964 -- Mary Elizabeth Gintling departs the community of Little Sisters of the Poor where she provided nursing care to the elderly for 21 years. She leaves in response to a call from God to live among the poor and work to alleviate their hardship and suffering. 1965 -- Mary Elizabeth receives a donated row house to use for her work. She names it Joseph House in honor of St. Joseph, the provider of the Holy Family. Other lay people join her and they form a Christian community dedicated to helping the poor. They provide emergency social services and other programs to improve the quality of life for people living in poverty. 1970's: Foundation of The Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary -- Relocation to the Eastern Shore of Maryland -- Joseph House by the Sea 1971 -- A book and art store named Joseph House Gifts is established. All proceeds from the store are used to help the poor. 1974 -- Mary Elizabeth and Patricia Guidera, a Joseph House volunteer, follow their call to begin a vowed religious community that would continue the ministry to the poor. They receive permission from Bishop F. Joseph Gossman, Urban Vicar of Baltimore, to begin formation of a community that would serve the poor and promote social justice in a religious and contemplative spirit. On July 7th they receive their habits in a simple ceremony at Holy Cross Abbey, the Trappist monastery in Berryville, Virginia. Their community is named the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary. Sisters Mary Elizabeth and Patricia begin a lifestyle of prayer and ministry based on the life of the French priest and hermit, Charles de Foucauld (1858-1916). This lifestyle is characterized by poverty, simplicity, love for the poor, universal charity, faithfulness to the Gospel and silent adoration before the Eucharist. 1978 -- After briefly residing in Ocean City, The Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary relocate to Salisbury on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. They begin the Joseph House ministry from their convent to help the often over-looked rural poor. The gift shop reopens in Ocean City, Maryland, under the name Joseph House by the Sea. Proceeds are used to support the Little Sisters' work with the poor. 1979 -- The first new postulant enters the Little Sisters’ community. 1980's: Joseph House Crisis Center -- Constitutions approved for the Little Sisters 1984 -- In response to the growing number of poor coming to them for help, the Little Sisters open The Joseph House Center. Initially a warehouse donated by the Campbell Soup Company, the building is refurbished through the efforts of many volunteers in the local community. The Center begins to offer a wide range of services to help those in need. 1986 -- The Bishop of Wilmington, Most Reverend Robert Mulvee, approves the constitution of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary.
1988 -- A convent and Joseph House Center are
re-established in Baltimore, Maryland. 1989 -- Sr. Mary Elizabeth receives the Lumen Christi Award from the Catholic Extension Society. The award recognizes her life of service to the poor. Visit their website for more information on this organization: 1990's: New Ministries and Collaborations -- Joseph House Village -- Joseph House II 1991 -- Joseph House Village opens in Salisbury. Developed with the help of the Little Sisters, this transitional housing facility provides support for homeless families seeking a way out of poverty. 1996 -- St. Joseph Cloister is established in Princess Anne, Maryland to provide a place of quiet and prayer for the Little Sisters. 1998 -- Plans begin for Joseph House II in Salisbury. This facility will use small industries to teach the poor viable job skills. Joseph House Center in Salisbury is expanded and refurbished. 1999 -- The Little Sisters celebrate the 25th anniversary of their foundation. 2000's: Joseph House Workshop -- Village of Hope -- Novitiate in Princess Anne -- Death of our Founder 2000 --- Training program begins at Joseph House II, now called Joseph House Workshop. Construction begins on the novitiate in Princess Anne, Maryland. This will be an addition to the existing cloister property. It will provide training and formation for new Little Sisters. Joseph House Village is renamed the Village of Hope. The Joseph House ministry in Baltimore is transferred to Salisbury. 2001 -- The novitiate opens in Princess Anne, Maryland. 2003 -- Sr. Connie Ladd is elected Mother Superior of the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary. 2004 -- Sr. Mary Elizabeth Gintling dies at age 89. 2005 -- After extensive renovation to the interior, the Joseph House Workshop re-opens as a residential job-preparation facility for men. |
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