MISSION AND MINISTRY | Jayne Helmlinger, C.S.J., general superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, was installed as president of the Leadership Council of Women Religious on Aug. 16, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the organization’s annual assembly. Elected by her peers in leadership of congregations of women religious, Sister Jayne becomes the first Sister of St. Joseph of Orange to serve as LCWR president.
Prior to her current position, Sister Jayne was the executive vice president of mission integration for St. Joseph Health in Irvine, California. In this role, she ensured that the grounding principles and theological underpinnings of Catholic health care extended to systems and processes throughout the health system, including each local ministry. She also served in leadership roles at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California (1996-2004) and St. Joseph Hospital in Orange, California (1993-1996).
LCWR is an association of leaders of congregations of Catholic women religious in the United States. The conference has about 1,350 members, who represent approximately 80 percent of the near 50,000 women religious in the United States. Founded in 1956, the conference assists its members to collaboratively carry out their service of leadership to further the mission of the Gospel in today’s world.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange are a congregation of Catholic women who share a common foundation (ca. 1650 in Le Puy, France by Father Jean Pierre Médaille, S.J.) and mission (unity with God and unity with one another) with thousands of Sisters of St. Joseph throughout the world. In response to God’s abundant love, Sisters of St. Joseph serve the dear neighbor no matter who they are, utilizing their various gifts and all the spiritual and corporal works of mercy within their power. Long-standing and newly established ministries continue to evolve.
