Sister Josephine Pelster
Josephine Pelster was born the fifth of nine children to Norbert and Louise (Unger) Pelster of Vernonia, Oregon. Her faith-filled parents frequently prayed for vocations to the religious life.
After experiencing the prayerful, joy-filled presence of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon as they taught Religious Vacation School (CCD), Josephine was attracted to dedicating her life to God. She entered the Sisters of Saint Mary of Oregon on Sept. 8, 1965.
Sister Josephine found joy in ministry while being a nursing aide and then a registered nurse at Maryville. After 30 years of nursing, she left nursing and entered into her present ministry of chaplaincy. She feels blessed to pray with the dying and comfort loved ones.
In 1993, her 36-day Ignatian retreat in Los Altos, California, was a life-changing experience with an intense encounter with Jesus through praying the Scriptures and daily Eucharist. Her deepest desire was to be spiritual director and so it happened in summers of 1997 and 2000.
Sister Josephine, who celebrates her 50th Jubilee in 2016, loves playing team sports, knitting, and hiking with family and friends. She currently serves Director of Pastoral Care at Maryville.
“I am grateful for God’s fidelity to me over the last 50 years, as well as the support and challenges provided me by the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon with whom I live and serve,” said Sister Josephine.
Photo album
We are honored to share photos from the life and ministry of Sr. Josephine Pelster.
