The Little Sisters of the Poor expressed gratitude as they bid farewell to the Paterson Diocese. The religious order cared for the elderly and poor in northern New Jersey for 145 years.
In 1901, The Little Sisters opened St. Theresa’s Home in Paterson. After deciding to build a new facility, they constructed and opened St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly in Totowa in 1976.
“We, the Little Sisters of the Poor, thank all our friends in the Diocese of Paterson for your many years of support and friendship. We count on your prayers and ask that you pray in a special way for vocations to the Little Sisters of the Poor,” the religious order said in a statement.
The Little Sisters announced their decision in July 2023 to withdraw from northern New Jersey and St. Joseph’s. The decision was part of an ongoing process to bolster their ministry and the quality of their religious life despite the aging of their communities. Another factor was a shortage of long-term care staff.
The diocese officially bid farewell and expressed gratitude to the Little Sisters on Nov. 8 last year at St. Joseph’s during a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney.
