sisters of st. joseph of baden

2020 JUBILARIANS

Sister Anthony
Costlow, CSJ
75th Jubilee

During her 48 years directing plant maintenance and capital improvements, Sister Anthony Costlow worked to make the Sisters of St. Joseph’s Motherhouse in Baden, Pa., a home. A talented craftswoman and loving caretaker, she managed projects from installing new windows to laying blacktop to replacing the roof.

“It was a treat to be able to make it more comfortable for the Sisters,” Sister Anthony says, reflecting on her 75th Jubilee. Moved by the Holy Spirit and Sister Anna Joseph, whom she met in the kitchen of St. John Gualbert’s convent, she entered religious life five months shy of her 18th birthday.

At the Infant Home in Ebensburg, Sister Anthony cooked for the babies, “runabouts,” and staff. Back in Baden, her role expanded: cooking three meals a day for more than 200 people. She made time for “side hobbies” — ceramics and framing — creating beautiful works of art that enlivened the Motherhouse halls and sold quickly at the annual Harvest Festival. 

Sister Anthony is grateful “that God picked” her for such a rewarding and joy-filled life, and especially for the blessings she’s received from the community.

Sister Silveria
Manion, CSJ
75th Jubilee

As a third-grader at St. Veronica in Ambridge, Pa., Sister Silveria Mannion first pondered religious life after experiencing the kind and joyful spirit of her teacher, Sister Mildred (Ildephonse) Boeh.

Known for gentle nature, Sister Silveria ministered in education for more than 45 years in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh, Greensburg and Altoona-Johnstown. She taught at St. Bernard, Assumption and Holy Rosary (Pittsburgh) before becoming a guidance counselor at the Diocesan Child Care Center in 1961.

She also served as a counselor and teacher at Quigley (Baden) from 1972 to 1981 and taught art and religion at St. James (Sewickley) from 1984 to 1999.

“I loved to learn, and I loved the children no matter what age they were,” she says, reflecting on her 75th Jubilee.

After returning to the Motherhouse in 1999, Sister Silveria served 10 years as sacristan in the Chapel. Embracing each new ministry, she continues to warmly greet all visitors to the Motherhouse.

Sister Silveria credits her parents for modeling God’s love for their nine children and inspiring her devotion to the children she would later teach.

Sister Frances
Rooney, CSJ
75th Jubilee

“My life has been full of invitations from God, and when I accept, I am full of happiness, peace and joy,” says Sister Frances Rooney, reflecting on her 75th Jubilee.

From 1948 to 1964, Sister Frances taught in Pittsburgh diocesan schools, including Assumption, St. Thomas More and St. Veronica. When asked to become director of religious education at Christ the King in Ambridge, Sister Frances first experienced sadness about leaving the “first love” of the classroom. But the new ministry opened her to “the value of the laity.”  That 10-year transformative ministry led to similar parish roles at St. Columbkille and St. Catherine.

With an Irish wit and engaging smile, Sister Frances said “yes” again when asked to become an aide at the Citiparks Senior Center. 

Inspired by the faith of her parents and siblings who grew up poor, Sister Frances never forgot the generosity of neighbors who left groceries at their doorstep. The first in her family to reach 90, Sister Frances sheepishly admits that her prayer intentions sometimes include her own request for the grace of a new day.

Other 2020 Milestones

To learn more about the Sisters listed below, please click here.

70 Years
Sister Jane Stephen Rosko, CSJ

65 Years
Sister Natalie Lann, CSJ
Sister Honora McCawley, CSJ
Sister Janet (Generosa) Mock, CSJ
Sister Mary Ann (Jude Thaddeus) Thimons, CSJ

60 Years
Sister Jeanette (Carmé) Bussen, CSJ
Sister Barbara Czyrnik (Emmanuel), CSJ
Sister Barbara Ann (John Martin) Graff, CSJ
Sister Frances (Robertine) Hurley, CSJ
Sister Barbara Ann (Mary Gorman) Johnston, CSJ
Sister Melissa Joyce, CSJ
Sister Sue Anne (St. Mark) Orange, CSJ
Sister Mary Louise Wessell, CSJ
Sister Carolyn (Aurea) Wiethorn, CSJ
Sister Sally (Thomasine) Witt, CSJ