Fraternity Elects New Council

Robert Stronach, Marsha Kistner, Ana Pereira, Concetta Carcone, Siosiana Merz.

 St. Joseph Fraternity conducted election of officers in July.
 
Robert Stronach, OFS, was elected to his second full term as minister.
 
Marsha Kistner, OFS, is the new vice minister. She previously served as a long-time secretary of the fraternity.
 
Siosiana Merz, OFS, is the new secretary.
 
Ana Pereira, OFS, is the new treasurer.
 
Concetta Carcone, OFS, was elected as formation director,

2 Make Permanent Profession

Ellen M. Benton and Siosiana V. Merz made their permanent profession in the Secular Franciscan Order as members of the St. Joseph Fraternity. 

 It is no coincidence that they chose to make their profession on Jan. 23, 2022 -- the feast of Saint Marianne Cope, who was a member of St. Joseph parish at the time the fraternity was founded in 1859 (and, according to some, who was one of the first members of the fraternity).

2 Candidates Admitted to Order

Ellen Benton and Sociana Merz were officially welcomed into the Secular Franciscan Order as candidates during a Rite of Admission ceremony held during the June gathering.

Fraternity Events Canceled Due to Coronavirus Emergency

With the state of emergency over the coronavirus, the St. Joseph Fraternity Council decided to cancel the March 15th gathering, the April 1st council meeting and the April 4th Day of Reflection.

Regional Chapter Elects Leaders

Joanne Lockwood, OFS, a member of Holy Family Fraternity in Vernon, NY, has been elected minister of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Region for a three-year term. The election took place Sept. 14 in Syracuse.

Celebrating 160 Years

St. Joseph Fraternity celebrated 160 years by honoring individuals for work with the marginalized and by unveiling a saintly welcome sign.

Join Us for 160th Anniversary Bash

Friar Christopher is
the featured speaker.

St. Joseph Fraternity is celebrating its 160th anniversary by honoring three people with the Mother Marianne Cope Award on Sunday, Aug. 18.

The celebration begins with 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church, 702 Columbia St., Utica, NY. The awards dinner follows at 12:30 across the street from the church at the new Irish Cultural Center.


Dinner tickets may be reserved here, or by sending a check to St. Joseph Fraternity of the SFO, c/o Katie Koscinski, 11 Matthews Ave., Utica, New 13502. Tickets are $30 per person (there is a slight surcharge if ordered online).