Organizational and Operational Planning

SISTERS OF ST. JOSEPH OF CARONDELET – LOS ANGELES, CA

More than 350 years ago, six women joined together in LePuy, France to form a community dedicated to “loving and serving God and neighbor without distinction.” Today, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet have grown into a congregation of more than 1,000 religious in six provinces and vice-provinces throughout the United States and Peru.

The Los Angeles Province was formed in 1903 in the same tradition and with the same pioneering spirit as the first community when, in 1870, seven Sisters traveled from St. Louis, Missouri to Tucson, Arizona. The trek of these courageous women began in a covered wagon, laying the foundation for what became the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Los Angeles Province some 30 years later.

Although the Los Angeles Province was well-established with more than a dozen sponsored institutions and ministries by 2013, the Leadership Team recognized an opportunity to reorganize and restructure to better meet the needs of both members and constituents.

In 2014, a planning project was launched to review and revise the Sisters’ organizational, governance, and administrative infrastructures. Working with Zielinski Companies, they developed an updated operational and organizational plan for the Provincial House, including the Provincialate offices and retirement/living areas, along with a new governance and administration plan for the Province itself.

“The process entailed many drafts and designs which enhanced clarification and strengthened communication and supervision,” commented Sister Suzanne Jabro. “The progression of continuing dialogue helped reconfigure accountability within departments and shift some staff positions to strengthen communication and organizational effectiveness.”

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet strive to be as responsive to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as were their foremothers who devoted themselves to the needs of ordinary people, living among them and offering their lives in service to their dear neighbors. With their new operational and organizational plan in place, the Los Angeles Province now has a solid foundation to continue their dedication to practicing spiritual and corporal works of mercy.