New Delegate for Religious Appointed for Newark Archdiocese

The Most Reverend John J. Myers, JCD, DD, Archbishop of Newark, has appointed Sister Joanne Bednar, SCC as Delegate for Religious of the Archdiocese effective June 1, 2010.  As Delegate for Religious, Sister Joanne will serve as the liaison between the Archbishop of Newark and the communities of Religious men and women and those belonging to Secular Institutes within the Archdiocese.

She succeeds Sister Margaret Thomas McGovern, OP of the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell who had served the Archbishop and Archdiocese for some seven years as Delegate prior to resigning for health reasons.

In commenting on the appointment, Archbishop Myers stated: “Sister Joanne brings to the important work of being my Delegate to the great Religious of this Archdiocese both strong leadership and collaborative qualities and the unique charism of the Sisters of Christian Charity, a group of dedicated and faith-filled women who have embraced the mission of furthering the educational opportunities for women Religious so that they may serve the Lord in missions and schools throughout the world.  Her knowledge of the needs and challenges of Religious communities in the 21st Century will be most helpful here in the Archdiocese.”

A member of the North American Eastern Province of the Sisters of Christian Charity, Mendham, NJ, Sister Joanne is currently Development Coordinator at Susquehanna Health, Williamsport, PA.  At Susquehanna Health, she previously served as President of Providence Health System Foundation, Vice-President of Mission Effectiveness, and Vice-President of General Services.  She has also served as Patient Accounts Manager, Business Office Manager, and Accountant at Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill, PA.  She was previously Director of Sponsorship for the Sisters of Christian Charity and served for six years on her community’s leadership team.  She has also taught high school mathematics at various Catholic high schools in Pennsylvania.

A native of Boonton, NJ, Sister Joanne is a graduate of Morris Catholic High School, Denville; Assumption College for Sisters, Mendham;  Marillac College, St. Louis, MO (B.S., Mathematics); and University of Scranton, PA (Masters in Business Administration).  She also holds a Certificate from the Hospital Executive Development Program at St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO.
 
Sister Joanne’s board memberships have included:  Lycoming County United Way, Catholic Social Services, Holy Spirit Hospital, Divine Providence Hospital, Providence Health System, Susquehanna Health System, Susquehanna Regional Home Health Services, Susquehanna Ventures, Assumption College for Sisters, and the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association.

In a letter to Sister Margaret Thomas shortly after she advised him of her decision to resign as Delegate, Archbishop Myers reflected on her contributions over her seven years as Delegate.   “I am deeply grateful for the service which you have offered to the Archdiocese and especially to those in consecrated life here,” he stated.  “We will miss your very pleasant presence here in the Pastoral Center.  I know that the Sisters, especially, will miss your kind and gentle service.”   The Archbishop also conveyed to the Dominican Sisters of Caldwell his deep gratitude for permitting Sister Margaret Thomas to serve as Delegate.

The Sisters of Christian Charity of the North American Eastern Province currently number 216.   The community’s motherhouse, located at the Mallinckrodt Convent, Mendham, NJ, is also home to Assumption College for Sisters, an accredited two-year liberal arts college that awards Associate degrees in Arts and Religious Arts, and prepares women from Religious communities from both the United States and around the world to continue their studies toward Bachelor’s degrees at other accredited educational institutions.  Further, Assumption College for Sisters serves as the center for women discerning life as a member of the Sisters of Christian Charity.

Sisters of Christian Charity currently serve in the Archdiocese of Newark in: Our Lady of Sorrows School and Parish, South Orange; St. Nicholas School, Jersey City; Hudson County Community College, Jersey City; Hudson Catholic High School, Jersey City; Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston; St. Rose of Lima Parish, Short Hills; Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Hoboken.