Sisters’ soirée
Above: Amie Martinez, Sister Carolyn Brady, Sister Kathleen Babin, Sister Adele Lambert and Nicole Jones in the chapel at St. Joseph’s Academy
Sisters have long been an integral part of the Catholic faith: ministering, teaching and serving in a very active way to all within their care. The Sisters of St. Joseph in Baton Rouge are no exception. This congregation established a school and orphanage here in 1868 and helped it flourish into the present-day St. Joseph’s Academy.
And while many recognize the impact that the Sisters have had on their personal lives as well as on the city itself, fewer women are choosing to go into the ministry these days. In fact, there are only 35 Sisters of St. Joseph between the Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, and three-fourths of them are retired or semi-retired.
These are special women indeed.
To help support these caregivers, St. Joseph’s Academy is hosting its benefit, The Soireé, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the school’s Activity Center. This major fundraiser provides for the Sisters as well as for the St. Joseph’s Academy school community.
“Some of the proceeds from the gala are used for the Sisters’ ministries, as well as for general everyday needs of the Sisters,” says Sister Joan Laplace, mission advancement associate director at St. Joseph’s Academy. “We really enjoy the event. It’s a great way for us to interact with those who support us.”
