2020 jubilee spotlight

Sister Jo Goolish

 

Summer is the time when our community traditionally celebrates its jubilarians — those Sisters among us who mark milestones in religious life during any given year. But this is not like any other year. Our jubilee celebrations set for both Pittsburgh and Bethlehem, Pa., have been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our 2020 jubilarians may not get to celebrate during a special Mass with family and friends, yet their many years of service to the Lord remain worthy of celebration here. Please join us in acknowledging this milestone moment for Sister Jo Goolish, who celebrates her 60th Jubilee this year.

Originally from Bakerton, Pa., Sister Jo entered our community in 1959, made first vows in 1960 and final vows in 1965. Her first teaching assignment was at St. Patrick School in Canonsburg, Pa., before moving on to St. Joseph School in San Antonio, Texas.

Sister Jo taught for four years at Mount Assisi Academy in Pittsburgh before moving to San Antonio long-term in 1972 to teach art at St. Joseph for six years and at our former St. Francis Academy for 20 years. Sister remains a liaison between our community and the very active St. Francis Academy Alumnae Association in San Antonio.

A seasoned artist, Sister Jo designs our community Christmas card each year and has created a bounty of Franciscan artwork over the years, including stained glass, detailed murals, notecards and other printed materials.

She has been an art teacher at St. Gerard Catholic High School in San Antonio since 2002 and has added dual-credit courses through St. Philip’s College to her repertoire. Just this year, Sister was nominated by St. Gerard as teacher of the year in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas. She is sponsor of St. Gerard’s Art Club and National Honor Society branch and serves as facilitator of the school’s Academic Awards Night.

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As a tiny tot in Bakerton, Pa.

As a tiny tot in Bakerton, Pa.

A school-age Sister Jo

A school-age Sister Jo

Sister Jo in her earliest days as a teacher

Sister Jo in her earliest days as a teacher

As a lifelong school teacher, Sister Jo has had countless school portraits taken over the years.

As a lifelong school teacher, Sister Jo has had countless school portraits taken over the years.

Sister Jo (second from right) with her profession group upon their reception into the community in August 1959

Sister Jo (second from right) with her profession group upon their reception into the community in August 1959

Among Sister Jo’s many creations on display in our congregational buildings is this stained glass depiction of Sister Moon that is part of the chapel at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.

Among Sister Jo’s many creations on display in our congregational buildings is this stained glass depiction of Sister Moon that is part of the chapel at Monocacy Manor in Bethlehem, Pa.

A young Sister Jo works on a stained glass creation

A young Sister Jo works on a stained glass creation

Sister Jo has been teaching art at St. Gerard Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas, since 2002.

Sister Jo has been teaching art at St. Gerard Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas, since 2002.

As COVID-19 closed schools nationwide in Spring 2020, Sister Jo went virtual to remain connected with her art students.

As COVID-19 closed schools nationwide in Spring 2020, Sister Jo went virtual to remain connected with her art students.

Sister Jo displayed some of her many Francsican creations during “Wake Up the World,” a 2016 celebration of Catholic Sisters in Western Pennsylvania who are active in the arts.

Sister Jo displayed some of her many Francsican creations during “Wake Up the World,” a 2016 celebration of Catholic Sisters in Western Pennsylvania who are active in the arts.