sisters of st. joseph of baden

2023 JUBILARIANS

Sister Clara
Reese, CSJ
75th Jubilee

Sister Clare Reese loved ministering to dear neighbors of all ages, “especially at important junctures in their lives.” For 26 years, Sister Clare served as a teacher and principal in elementary schools before entering the field of social work in Kentucky, where she learned much about the “strength, pride and independence of families who have known hardship and struggle.” Shortly after returning to the Motherhouse in 1983, Sister Clare was elected to the Congregation’s Council.

Compassionate, unassuming and soft-spoken, Sister Clare served at Holy Family Institute (1988-1993) as a family service clinician and then as a supervisor. She subsequently served as a parish social minister at St. Veronica in Ambridge and St. Bartholomew in Pittsburgh.

In 1999, Sister Clare embraced what she called a “privileged and grace-filled ministry” as a social worker at Villa St. Joseph, where she encountered nursing care residents who were nearing “the absolute fullness of God’s love.” Attentive to their social and spiritual needs, Sister Clare nurtured relationships with residents, focusing on their dignity and seeing beyond their limitations.

After retiring from the Villa in 2009, Sister Clare continued to volunteer at the Villa where her presence and prayers were a source of comfort to residents and families.