Born to Eternal Life We commend to your charity the soul of our beloved Age – 80 years, 10 months, 15 days Funeral – Monday, July 25, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.
In an article published in the Duquesne University magazine entitled: “A Treasury of Trust on Israel's West Bank,” the author writes: “For Sister Miriam, the sun is always coming up somewhere new and exciting and the market is always open.” Sister Miriam Joseph's life is a testimony to the truth of that statement! Born, Mary, the youngest daughter in a family of six girls and three boys, she was baptized and raised in St. Ambrose Parish, where she also attended elementary school. She attended Annunciation High School and worked for seven years prior to entering. Those dealing with Sister during her initial formation were quick to observe that she was gifted, particularly in areas related to business and finance. She began studies at Duquesne University in business education. Her teaching years were spent primarily at St. Basil's High School, Carrick, in the business department. In 1968, Sister received her first international assignment—to the Vatican Secretariat of State, where “she performed her duties to the utmost satisfaction of the Office.” She returned home at the request of the Province to be named Treasurer of La Roche College and to study for her MBA at Notre Dame University . Since she was one of the first women in the program there, she gained her degree in spite of opposition from some of the faculty. Her 1962 thesis was on “The Effective Use of Womanpower in Business,” later published in the 1974 issue of Catholic Business Education Review —an adequate response to members of the faculty! Sister Miriam Joseph and Sister De la Salle guided the fledgling college through near financial disaster back to stability, enrollment growth and the beginning of an endowment during her ten years at La Roche College. After a needed respite and a year directing the finances of the Pittsburgh Catholic , Miriam was ready for a new challenge. She accepted a position as finance director at Bethlehem University on the West Bank , where she served for eleven turbulent years. During this time, she witnessed occupation of the town and even the University. Yet, she found much joy and constant challenge in her work there. She said that she viewed her presence there as one attempt at striving for reconciliation, that “being a Christian in Israel is not a problem so much as a responsibility to work for peace.” Sister returned to the States in 1990 and received an invitation from the Columbus Dominicans to be their General Treasurer. She returned to Providence Heights in 1999 for a much needed rest. In the past month, the community was very shocked and saddened to find that Miriam had only a short time to live due to very aggressive cancer. It is not a surprise that, on the occasion of her 50 th Jubilee, she claimed John: 14: 27 as her favorite Scripture: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; a peace the world cannot give, this is my gift to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” What a wonderful mantra for a person who lived that gift so fully and courageously! SMJC Birthday: September 5 |
