When the first women religious arrived in 1856 at Fort Vancouver — 33 years before Washington became a state — they began a legacy of ministry to people throughout the Archdiocese of Seattle.

“We’ve been very blessed in this archdiocese to have had women religious serving in a variety of ministries for more than 150 years,” Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said in 2020 when he appointed Tacoma Dominican Sister Sharon Casey and Adrian Dominican Sister Sharon Park as the archdiocese’s liaisons to women in religious life.

Establishing and serving in hospitals and schools was a major focus of the sisters who came to minister to settlers, led by the arrival of Mother Joseph and four other Sisters of Providence. As the region’s population grew, sisters from other congregations arrived in the 1880s and 1890s — the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in Seattle, the Edmonds Dominicans (now Adrian Dominicans) in Aberdeen, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace in Bellingham, and the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, the Tacoma Dominicans and the Sisters of St. Benedict in Tacoma.

Today, these seven “legacy” communities are among 27 congregations totaling about 240 sisters ministering throughout the archdiocese.

Before Vatican II, sisters wore habits, lived in convents and often taught school or worked in hospitals. The changes brought by Vatican II allowed the sisters to live the Gospel in new ways.

“We ... didn’t just modernize our dress, but our whole way of relating to the people we served,” said Holy Names Sister Makiko Fujiwara, who today supports immigrants and refugees and advocates for racial justice.

Holy Names Sister Makiko Fujiwara volunteers at a welcome center for asylum seekers in Tucson, Arizona, in June 2022. (Courtesy Sister Makiko Fujiwara)

Women religious from some of the legacy communities are still working in education and health care (the Providence, PeaceHealth and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health systems grew from the seeds planted by the early sisters). But they also minister in pastoral care, social justice advocacy, spiritual direction, prison ministry, housing, social work, immigration assistance and more. Many sisters from the legacy communities are retired but continue ministry as volunteers.

The Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, which works for systemic change, is one of the collaborative ministries of women religious in the archdiocese. (Courtesy IPJC)

The sisters’ collaborative ministries include the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, which works for systemic change, and Mercy Housing Northwest, which develops affordable housing with services for families.

Such collaboration grew out of a shared experience — sisters from different congregations studied together at the College of Sister Formation at Providence Heights in Issaquah in the 1960s.

“We say that we grew up together, served in leadership together and have been blessed to collaborate in ministries that meet the needs of our day,” said Adrian Dominican Sister Judy Byron, associate director of IPJC and director of its Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment.

In recent years, as vocations to religious life have declined, the number of women religious in the archdiocese has also declined. Although their congregations may be smaller or fewer, the sisters are hopeful about the future of religious life for women and their continuing partnerships with laypeople who share their vision and Gospel mission.

Providence Sister Judith Desmarais converses with a deaf resident at an adult family home (Stephen Brashear)

“As a gift/charism for the Church, religious life will always be present in some form,” evolving with the times, said Providence Sister Judith Desmarais, who ministered to the deaf community and still provides sign language interpretation during Mass at a Seattle parish.

“Communities will continue to collaborate, merge or come to completion,” Sister Makiko said.  “Our legacies will continue through our institutions, affiliates, partners and alums.

Below, meet some of the sisters from the seven legacy congregations and learn more about their communities:


Sister Makiko Fujiwara — Sisters of The Holy Names of Jesus And Mary 

What drew you to your vocation?

I attended Holy Names Academy and found the sisters joyful, dedicated and forward thinking. Several invited me to consider religious life, and although I resisted for a long time, I felt called to enter after high school. I made final vows in 1970.

What ministries have you served in?

I began as an elementary teacher in Spokane and at St. Mary in Seattle. Then I ministered at St. James Cathedral, working with a wonderful team in outreach to children and families. I worked in a predominately Mexican-American parish in Sunnyside and was ministry director for the sisters, then returned to teaching at my alma mater, St. Edward, until retiring.

What are your current ministries?

Supporting immigrants and refugees and advocating for racial justice. In June, I volunteered at a welcome center for asylum seekers in Tucson, Arizona.

What changes have you seen over the years?

I entered in 1963 and lived in the excitement of the winds of change caused by Vatican ll. We took the documents seriously and didn’t just modernize our dress, but our whole way of relating to the people we served. We began to meet the needs of our times by expanding our educational ministry to parishes, prisons, hospitals and especially people on the margins.

What are the joys and challenges of religious life?

One of the biggest challenges is the increasing divisiveness in the Church and society on issues such as racism, inclusion and decision-making. A great joy is being part of something bigger than myself, to live and minister with those who share a common vision and provide support and companionship. And of course, the wonderful children, families and people who have blessed my ministry life.

About the Sisters of The Holy Names of Jesus And Mary

Origins: Founded in 1843 in Quebec, Canada.

Arrived: 1880, four sisters opened Holy Names Academy for young women in Seattle.

Ministries: Education, care of the Earth, justice advocacy, liturgical art, prayer, and assisting immigrants, the poor and children.


Sister Judy Byron — Adrian Dominican Sisters 

What drew you to your vocation?

I was inspired by the Edmonds Dominicans, my teachers in grade and high school. I took final vows in 1968.

What ministries have you served in?

I taught middle grades and was principal at St. Anne School in Seattle and vice principal at St. Louise School in Bellevue. I was director of religious education at St. Luke Parish in Shoreline and St. John Parish in Seattle. I also served in community leadership for eight years.

What are your current ministries?

I am on staff at the Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center, direct the Northwest Coalition for Responsible Investment and serve on the board of Mercy Housing Northwest.

What changes have you seen over the years? 

After Vatican II, I continued to live in community, and I was able to choose ministries dedicated to addressing the critical needs of our day.

What are the joys and challenges of religious life?

My blessings include my family and religious community, living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest and being passionate about the ministries I have been engaged in over the years. Challenges include situations that break my heart, like the climate crisis, gun violence, homelessness, war in Ukraine and our polarized country and Church. I worry for our children and the world we are leaving them. On the other hand, our children give me great hope as I experience them courageously leading on issues impacting them.

What future do you see for women religious?

I see a future full of hope for us as we partner with one another and all the laypeople who share our mission of working for a world and Church where all can thrive!

About the Adrian Dominican Sisters (originally Edmonds Dominicans) 

Origins: Roots traced to a monastery founded in 1233 in Ratisbon, Germany; sisters came to the U.S. in 1853.  

Arrived: 1890 in Aberdeen, where they established St. Joseph Hospital and St. Rose Academy.

Ministries: Education and advocacy for peace and justice, housing, health care. 


Sister Laura Swan — Benedictine Sisters of St. Placid Priory

What drew you to your vocation?

I never sought out religious life — I thought I’d marry. I didn’t know any vowed religious, other than my great-aunt in Alabama, who was heavily involved in the civil rights movement. I discovered Benedictines on retreat and fell in love with chanting the Office and a spirituality grounded in the arts, learning, music, etc. I made perpetual monastic profession in 1996.

What was your life like as a sister in the early years?

When I entered in 1989, we were in significant change. We sold our old high school/convent building and moved into our new monastery (with a real retreat house) in 1992, thus reshaping the focus of our ministry.

What ministries have you served in?

Before entering religious life, I was in the business world and went to graduate school to study theology/pastoral ministry. I have used that learning at the monastery — I ran our retreat house, have published books on women in Christian history, offered spiritual direction, served as prioress and taught at St. Martin’s University.

What are your current ministries?

Spiritual direction and formation work with our new members; researching the history of Benedictine women and our monastery’s history.

What are the joys and challenges of religious life?

I love our Benedictine way of life and sharing this with retreatants, spiritual directees and our oblates/associates.  I find deep contentment and inner joy, no matter what happens in my life (even the tragedies).

What future do you see for women religious?

Religious life is undergoing a transformation. Some monasteries are closing but others are growing. Our oblates/ associates will be a significant part of our future. We speak of this time as one of impasse: What has been is no more but what will emerge is not seen yet. We live with hope and excitement as to what will emerge. 

About the Benedictine Sisters of St. Placid Priory

Origins: Founded in 1857 in St. Joseph, Minnesota.

Arrived: 1892, to open Holy Rosary School in Tacoma.

Ministries: Education, creative (writers, artisans, musicians), hospitality, prayer, spiritual direction/formation, retreats


Sister Chero Chuma — Sisters of St. Joseph Of Peace

What drew you to your vocation?

I did not think of becoming a sister until I came from Kenya to the USA to continue my studies in health care. While completing my nursing degree and dating, it became clear that married life was not how I wanted to live my baptismal call. In prayer and with the guidance of a spiritual director, I encountered the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace online. Reading about their charism of peace through justice and later meeting the sisters sealed the deal! I professed my perpetual vows in 2012.

What ministries are you involved in?

I was a certified nursing assistant before entering the congregation; later, I was a psychiatric mental health RN. In 2020, I graduated from the University of Washington with a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. I currently serve Christ in vulnerable adults suffering from chronic homelessness, severe mental illness and substance use disorders at Seattle’s Crisis Solutions Center.

What other ministries have you served in?

I have served on the governing board of Jubilee Women’s Center in Seattle. I am a member of Giving Voice, a peer-led organization for younger religious women. I have given back to my community in Kenya via an online radio station.

What are the joys and challenges of religious life?

By living the vows and belonging in a community, I am supported and commissioned to serve God to the fullest. As the first African sister in a congregation that is predominantly white in the USA, my sense of belonging gets challenged and tested by systemic racism and daily microaggressions. Painful as they are, they nudge me to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who sought out the marginalized. The most rewarding aspect is knowing … that I am striving to be the face of Christ to those on the margins and that someone has your back at any time.

About the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

Origins: Founded in 1884 in Nottingham, England.

Arrived: 1890, in what is now Bellingham, where a small group opened St. Joseph Hospital in 1891.

Ministries: Health care, housing, education and advocacy


Sister Jude Connelly — Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

What drew you to your vocation?

After high school, I enrolled in the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Tacoma. The sisters there lived out the Gospel message of respect for the dignity of each person. They were prayerful, fun and involved in the life of the organization. The main aspect that influenced me was the trusting relationship each person had with God. I decided to dedicate my life to the care of others, supported by God’s call. I took final vows in 1971.

What ministries have you served in?

I began as an RN in Eastern Oregon. I have been involved in a variety of health care ministries — chaplaincy, pastoral ministry to patients and employees, and hospital administration. I was involved in developing and building St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way. I was administrator of St. Ann Convent, the retirement center for our sisters in Tacoma, and was involved in the governance of the Franciscan health care system as it went through many changes and mergers.

What are your current ministries?

I am retired but remain on the board of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health System. I join with other sisters educating the public about human trafficking, have been involved in detention ministry in Tacoma and I regularly volunteer, including gleaning and preparing food for distribution by St. Leo’s Food Connection in Tacoma.

What are the joys and challenges of religious life?

A joy is the communal life. Support through shared prayer and faith sharing makes life easier and more challenging when one shares spiritual insights. The accomplishments of sisters bring great joy as projects address the people’s needs and the realities of justice and peace. The Gospel is of course countercultural; making it desirable and preferred over society’s choices is difficult. But when awareness of this simple message develops, it is very rewarding.

About the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia

Origins: Founded in 1855 by Mother Francis Bachmann with the help of Pope Pius IX and St. John Neumann. 

Arrived: 1888, St. George’s Indian Mission School in present-day Federal Way.

Ministries: Education, health care, social services.


Sister Judith Desmarais — Sisters of Providence

What drew you to your vocation?

I was taught by our sisters for 12 years. I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a sister, but felt I needed to try and see if that was my calling. Obviously it was! I took final vows in 1971.

What ministries have you served in?

My first ministry was teaching children in primary grades. I really liked preparing the children for first Eucharist, and it gave me a greater love for the Eucharist. While at St. Joseph in Vancouver, I was invited to help teach in the religious education program at the Washington School for the Deaf. I later took training in deafness and sign language and was in ministry with deaf people for 16 years in the Seattle and Portland archdioceses. I also served in our congregational leadership.

What are your current ministries?

Actively retired, I have continued to interpret Sunday liturgy at a Seattle parish for members of the deaf community. I serve on a regional board for the Providence St. Joseph Health System.

What changes have you seen over the years?

Vatican II happened while I was in formation, so it is part of who I am. There was emphasis on understanding that we are the “People of God,” and are called to become members of a Church community. In our congregation, we were allowed to make choices to change ministry sites or explore a new ministry.

What are the joys and challenges of religious life?

My life is dedicated to acknowledging the love of God in my life and others’ lives, and living accordingly.  All of my ministries were life-giving, as well as challenging, and helped me develop my relationship with Jesus Christ. Living in community with several other sisters is good as well as challenging.

About the Sisters of Providence

Origins: Founded in 1843 in Montreal.

Arrived: 1856, Mother Joseph of the Sacred Heart and four others arrived at Fort Vancouver.

Ministries: Education, health care, care of the Earth, spiritual direction, pastoral care, social justice, counseling, community service, administration.


Sister Kathleen Reilly — Dominican Sisters of Tacoma

What drew you to your vocation?

About age 12, I first thought of being a religious. Frankly, there were no other options I found compelling as I observed life in a rural part of Ireland … I knew farming to be labor intensive, wet and demanding. A Dominican sister from Tacoma came to a local school with an invitation to prepare for a life of service to the Gospel. I accepted and the book of my life turned a page that is significant for me to this day. I professed final vows in 1961.

What ministries have you served in?

I was a teacher for 20 years in Seattle, Eastern Washington and California. I have ministered in addiction programs and since 2004 have ministered to homebound parishioners in Tacoma. I also served as a Eucharistic minister and assisted families preparing for funerals. I now am ministering to a woman from South Korea who is in poor health and needs support and transportation.

What are the joys of religious life?

It is an honor and privilege to bring people the Bread of Life. I have spent time with people who shared stories of their joy in their marriages as well as observing the heroic virtue of their caring for a family member or a spouse and doing so faithfully and generously and with a glad heart. My visits enriched my life.

What future do you see for women religious?

Vowed life will continue. The numbers may be fewer; however, the Spirit will continue to call. The work of bringing about a more just society will require every bit of creativity that the Spirit entrusts to all of us called to bring the reign of God to a world longing for peace and for a future full of hope.

About the Dominican Sisters of Tacoma

Origins: Established in Pomeroy, Eastern Washington, by three sisters who left Ohio to meet the needs of settlers.

Arrived: 1891 in Seattle, where they opened a school at Sacred Heart Parish.

Ministries: Education, parish ministry, social services, justice ministry.



Northwest Catholic — August/September 2022