FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 17th, 2000
CONTACT: Ileana Fernandez, CSJ (225-344-0515)
Anne Meridier, CSJ (504-486-7555)

Once a Captain/Now a Sister, Joy Manthey Takes First Vows

NEW ORLEANS (LA) On Sunday, January 16th, Sister Joy Manthey took her first vows as a Sister of St. Joseph of Medaille. The ceremony took place at the Sisters of St. Joseph Chapel, 1200 Mirabeau Avenue in New Orleans. Officiating was Brother Louis Couvillon, SC of New Orleans, and Sister Lucy Silvio, CSJ President who received the vows in the name of the Congregation.

"Sister Joy is making a personal commitment to Christ and is giving public witness as a woman religious dedicated to service," explains Sister Lucy Silvio. "It is a splendid gift, not only to the Church, but to the world."

Sister Joy is the daughter of the late Edward Thomas Manthey and Jane Scharfenstein Manthey of New Orleans. She has worked on the Steamship President since the age of 10, earned her pilot's license in 1978, and is the first female this century to earn a Master's Unlimited License, permitting her to command any vessel in the U.S. inland waterways. She has served as Captain on several boats and on the Lower Mississippi River Safety Advisory Committee.

Before entering the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, she graduated from LSU in 1979 with a BS

degree in General Studies. She was an active volunteer with the Missionary Sister of Charity in St. Agnes Parish in Baton Rouge. Most recently as a novice, she worked with Habitat for Humanity and Bridge House in New Orleans.

For Sister Joy, religious life harmonizes well with life on the water. She is currently receiving clinical pastoral training. She hopes one day to return to inland waterways and minister to " ...the guys on the boats. They're on duty for up to 30 days and miss important family events." Sister Joy thinks her unusual position will be helpful. "Guys may not want to speak to a chaplain, but they may speak to a sister who is a captain."

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille have worked in the United States since 1854 and are active in many ministries including education, parish work, spirituality, and health care. For more information about Sister Joy Manthey or the Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille, contact Sister Ileana Fernandez, CSJ at 225-344-0515 or ilyfercsj@aol.com.