Title
Honoring Sister Roberta Archibald, SSJ on her Golden Jubilee as a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and for her dedicated service and commitment to the Christian principles of faith, hope and charity.
Body
WHEREAS, Sister Roberta Archibald celebrates her fiftieth anniversary as a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Hill, Chestnut Hill on Saturday, September 22, 2007. The Sisters of Saint Joseph first came to Philadelphia in 1847 and the bishop at that time, Bishop Francis Kenrick, described the sisters as “Ready for any good work.” Sister Roberta’s many and varied ministries during her life as a Sisters of Saint Joseph attest to that description 160 years later; and
WHEREAS, Born in Philadelphia, PA, Sister Roberta, affectionately known as Bobbie to her family, was educated at Saint Clement’s School in Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Catholic High School for Girls. After her graduation, Bobbie joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph and began to labor in God’s vineyards. In so doing, Sister Roberta has made substantial contributions to the work of the church and has made a profound difference in the lives of many; and
WHEREAS, Sister Roberta earned an undergraduate degree in English from Chestnut Hill College and a Master’s degree in English from Temple University. From 1959 through 1968, she taught in parish elementary schools in Philadelphia, Belmar, NJ and Lafayette Hill, PA. From 1968 through 1973, Sister Roberta taught high school at St. Joseph Academy in McSherrystown, PA and at John W. Hallahan High School in Philadelphia. As a teacher, Sister Roberta met the needs of elementary and high school children with enthusiasm and grace; and
WHEREAS, From 1973 through 1984, Sister Roberta took on the role of Admissions Director at Chestnut Hill College. She dedicated herself to attracting students of diverse backgrounds who would thrive at the College. In 1984, Sister Roberta accepted another challenge from her religious community by becoming the Director of the Sisters of Saint Joseph Associates in Mission program. Sister Roberta’s leadership helped the Associates in Mission program to flourish and become a source of shared faith, prayer and ministry between the Sisters of Saint Joseph and men and women who, while affirming their own vocations, respond to the Gospel call of unity and reconciliation with the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Sister Roberta is presently teaching English as Second Language at Gwynedd Mercy College and Chestnut Hill College. She also works as the Archival Associate for the Sisters of Saint Joseph; and
WHEREAS, The mission of the Sisters of Saint Joseph is “to live and work so that all people may be united with God and with one another.” To be a Sister of Saint Joseph is to be about relationships. For Sister Roberta relationships with family, community, friends and neighbors are essential to her life and identity. She has striven to do all she could to allow men and women of all ages to grow, to learn and to achieve. She has had a profound effect on the lives of those she has met through the years and her special gift is that she nurtures those relationships and treasures those friendships; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we honor Sister Roberta Archibald, SSJ on her Golden Jubilee as a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph and for her dedicated service and commitment to the Christian principles of faith, hope and charity.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Sister Roberta Archibald as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
End