Sisters in Jesus the Lord announce move from Raytown to St. Joseph

Proximity to cathedral, university and opportunities for expanded outreach lead religious order to find perfect fit for ongoing training and growth in St. Joseph

Raytown, Missouri – The Sisters in Jesus the Lord, a local religious community of women founded to help revive the Catholic church in far Eastern Russia, announced today it will relocate from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Raytown which has been its home for the past 12 years, to the St. Joseph Cathedral convent in St. Joseph, Missouri.

“I have given my blessing to the Sisters in Jesus the Lord with great confidence that they have carefully discerned this move and found the best fit for the future of their community,” said Bishop James Johnston, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Mother Maria Stella, CJD, prioress of the community, outlined several reasons for the move:

  • Canonesses have traditionally been at cathedrals whenever possible to help lead the liturgy of the hours, and the convent is next to the cathedral.
  • There is college ministry through clergy at the Cathedral, which is good preparation for our work with students in Russia.
  • The national pro-life shrine is down the street, and the shrine is eager to help with healing after abortion and to help host Rachel’s Vineyard retreats, with which we are already involved.
  • St. Joseph is only a half hour away from Benedictine College, and one member of the community has been accepted as a student there starting August 25. We have hopes that some of the college students may feel called to serve the Church as sisters in Russia.
  • St. Joseph’s Cathedral parish and school are both eager to host Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, and the new St. Gianna Center for preschool aged children is down the street, a continuation of our ministry and good training for work in Russia.

Beginning in mid-August, the sisters will temporarily locate in the St. Mary’s Parish rectory in St. Joseph while the Cathedral motherhouse undergoes renovations.

“Our Lady of Lourdes Parish remains open and focused on sustainable growth in the community of Raytown,” Bishop Johnston added. “They are making progress in strengthening their relationship with St. John Francis Regis Parish in Kansas City and are following the recommendations outlined in their pastoral plan.”

Learn more about the mission and work of Sisters in Jesus the Lord www.cjd.cc.

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