Sister Sarah Makes Final Vows as Sister of St. Joseph

I desire to continue to grow into wholeness, to grow ever more deeply in love with you, Jesus, and into the woman God desires of me as a Sister of St. Joseph.

With those words, Sister Sarah Crotty, CSJ, made final vows at a Eucharistic Liturgy of Religious Profession on October 14 at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse chapel in Baden, Beaver County. The occasion was celebrated with family, friends and members of the Congregation.

A native of Kentucky, Sister Sarah is associate director of Focus on Renewal, a social services agency in McKees Rocks. From 2003-2007, she ministered as a social worker for LIFE-Beaver County, which is a comprehensive health care and supportive services program designed to help older adults live independently.

Sister Sarah’s connection to older adults is evident in her interactions with our retired Sisters. "I am inspired by the older Sisters and really have been since I’ve been with the Sisters of St. Joseph," she says. "I find them open and joyful and welcoming and for me, it’s an inspiration in terms of that’s how I want to be — still growing and learning at age 85, still ministering at 90 and reaching out in whatever way I can."

Sister Sarah also has served with the Jesuit Volunteers Corps, which allowed her to live in a Christian community and to practice ministries in social services. For her, the Corps experience was the beginning of an evolution that challenged her to "be more." She says she was inspired by how our Sisters place great value on relationships and how they draw strength from each other. Referring to the "richness of their relationships," she says, "There is this strong commitment to live and walk the mission together. To me, it’s inviting; it’s welcoming."

In 2005, Sister Sarah received the Social Work Award for Clinical Excellence from the Society for Social Work Leadership in Health Care, Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter. She entered the community from Assumption Parish in Bellevue, and earned an undergraduate degree in journalism from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh. She was certified as a licensed social worker in 2001.

One of five children, Sister Sarah is the daughter of Helen and Patrick Crotty. "Words pale at a time like this, which is why I often find myself grateful for simple wordless prayer," Sister Sarah expressed to the gathering. "God has and continues to shower me with so many graces: family, friends, community, ministry.

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