Little Sisters of the Poor
2024 JUBILARIANS
Sister Mary Joseph Rowley, LSP
70th Jubilee
Originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., I learned about the Little Sisters of the Poor by volunteering with the Junior Legion of Mary. I had 12 years of Catholic education and knew a lot about Jesus, but did not know Jesus. I wanted to know Him.
The Little Sisters’ life appealed to me because of their prayer life — saying the Office and others prayers like the rosary and having time each day for Adoration. I also was drawn to their community life — living together, sharing joys and sorrows, and having the same mission. Their mission also spoke to me – being little sisters to the elderly; loving and caring for them; making them happy; and being with them with prayer and presence when the Lord is ready to call them home.
I worked as a nurse, sometimes as the cook (I like to bake) and sometimes as the administrator. Presently, I do mostly secretarial work. I enjoy reading, especially biographies and the lives of the saints. Through all the ups and downs of life, it has been a wonderful life. Would I do it again? Yes, 100 times over!
Sister Mary John Cain, LSP
65th Jubilee
I first visited the Little Sisters of the Poor in Cincinnati with one of our neighbors. I was impressed by the Little Sisters’ care of the elderly. I made a few visits that summer, decided this is where I would enter, but would not tell anyone until I completed high school because I wanted to be a normal teenager.
I entered in the fall of 1956 and left for the novitiate in Queens, N.Y., in May 1957. After my first profession, I was sent to New Orleans to be in charge of the kitchen. After several months, I was sent for nurse training. I had licenses in nursing, administration and as dietary manager.
Most of my years were as director of nursing or as administrator. No matter what I was doing, I often oversaw the kitchen, aiding with menus, etc. I had a great love of the kitchen, as well as nursing. My shortest stay was 1959 to 1960, and my longest stay was in Indianapolis, In. My goal is to recognize Our Lord in all I meet and to spread joy.
Sister Jeanne Ries, LSP
60th Jubilee
I first heard about the Little Sisters of the Poor through an article written in the Catholic paper in Detroit, Mich. The article introduced the juniorate study program for young girls and, since I was graduating from eighth grade, I applied and was received.
I spent four years at Mercy High School and lived with the Little Sisters as a student, realizing that God was calling me. After graduation, I entered and went to the novitiate, where I spent two and a half years in religious studies. I made my first profession on October 20, 1964, and began my registered nurse training in Boston Mass. When my studies were completed, I went to our motherhouse in France, La Tour St. Joseph for a final year of religious studies.
My position in the various homes was director of nursing and, on several occasions, administrator. My longest stay was from 2009 to 2022 in our home in Cincinnati, Ohio, before coming to our home in Pittsburgh. I have a deeply religious spirit and love for the aged, especially our frail and dying residents.