Former member of diocese joins religious congregation

PHILADELPHIA — Sister Colleen Michelle Gibson, who was raised in St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, professed final vows as a Sister of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia Sept. 15 during a Mass at Saint Joseph of the Sacred Heart Chapel, Mount Saint Joseph Convent, according to a release from the congregation.
Hundreds of sisters, family members, associates, partners in mission and friends gathered for the liturgy celebrated by Augustinian Father Kevin DePrinzio.
Saint Joseph Sister Eileen Marnien, congregational vice president, welcomed the guests.
Sister Colleen was accompanied by Saint Joseph Sister Maureen G. Erdlen, congregational president; and Saint Joseph Sister Marcella Springer, formation director.
Sister Colleen vowed to live her life in chastity, poverty and obedience according to the Constitutions of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Philadelphia.
“Today, I rejoice as I make my perpetual profession as a Sister of Saint Joseph,” said Sister Colleen. “This is all I ever wanted — to be in union with God — ‘One in Love,’ as our Congregational ring is inscribed. And with this ring, I give to God and to this Congregation the cycle of my days. How good it is to be ‘One in Love!’”
“It was truly a joy-filled day for all of us as we participated in the vow celebration of Sister Colleen Gibson,” said Sister Maureen. “Her courageous commitment inspires each one of us to recall and rekindle the desire to follow and respond to God’s call within our own hearts. She gives us hope for the future and reminds us that we are ‘…consecrated and sent forth among all people as Sisters of Saint Joseph.’”
“Today, especially, I give thanks for my parents who by their love and tender care have fostered in me a love of God and neighbor without distinction,” said Sister Colleen. “I offer my immense gratitude to this community of faithful women with whom I journey. Today, I commit myself not only to God but to this Congregation.
“Thank you, sisters, for your presence, your faithfulness, and your example. I give thanks to God for this day and for my life. May all that I am and all that I do depend solely on God; may I live out this ‘yes’ each day, making my life an Amen to the love of God that has called me to be exactly who I was created to be. And may the God who has begun this good work in me see it to completion.”
Several days after the ceremony, Sister Colleen told “The Catholic Spirit,” “My parish certainly had an influence on my vocation as a Sister of Saint Joseph — my earliest formation, the love of my faith, the call to service — all were part of the foundation laid by the parish community of St. Joseph.
“While the St. Joseph connection wasn’t part of the initial attraction, I do have a deep devotion to Joseph that surely began because I grew up at St. Joe’s,” she continued. “Joseph’s model of humble service and selfless care for Jesus and Mary are an inspiration and his role as a just man certainly is reflected in my life as a SSJ and part of what I love about our congregation. Joseph loved God and neighbor, he did what needed to be done, and he embraced God's call wherever it took him ­— that’ s what I try to do each day as a Sister of Saint Joseph.”
Sister Colleen attended public elementary and high school in Hillsborough. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at Fairfield University (Conn.) in 2009 and was the class valedictorian.
Sister Colleen ministers at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Neighborhood Center in Camden. The Center provides a place to foster community, create space for relationship between neighbors inside and outside Camden, and provides basic services, including English classes, a food pantry, handicraft classes, and networking with other social service agencies for those in need.
She is the author of the blog “Wandering in Wonder,” a columnist for the “Global Sisters Report,” and has been published in various periodicals including “America,” “Commonweal” and “Give Us This Day.”
Sister Colleen was a 2018 Catholic Press Award recipient for her work as one of the writers of the “Young Voices” blog for the “National Catholic Reporter.” Sister Colleen and team won first place for “Best Blog: layperson.” The Catholic Press Awards Committee commended the blog for its “focus on issues facing America’s youth” including topics such as “racism, women’s rights issues and drug addiction.”
The Sisters of Saint Joseph Chestnut Hill — Philadelphia’s mission is “to live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another.”
They are a congregation of approximately 665 women religious who minister in 14 states.