Sister Mary Helen Beirne, S.S.J.

Sister Mary Helen Beirne, S.S.J.

The American Catholic Historical Society will host a talk on the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m.

Sister Mary Helen Beirne, S.S.J., will speak on “Choosing Transformation: The Sisters of Saint Joseph of Chestnut Hill, 1944-1999” at the Society’s House at 263 South 4th Street in Philadelphia’s Old City section.

Sister Beirne is the primary author and general researcher for a new history of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Philadelphia, “Ready for Any Good Work.” Trained as an historian and educational leader, she guided the order’s history project with extensive use of congregational documents, artifacts and input of the sisters through oral interviews and focus groups. She holds degrees from Chestnut Hill College, The Catholic University of America and Temple University.

The event is free and open to the public, and RSVP is requested. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and a light reception will follow the talk.

Organized in 1884, the American Catholic Historical Society is the oldest Catholic historical society in the United States.

For more information, visit www.amchs.org.