When discussing the path that led her to the religious life, Sister Joann Burzichelli, RSM, says the call from God literally hit her in the face.
It was the late 1950s, and the 20-year-old was spending a weekend on retreat with the Dominican Sisters in Elkins Park, Pa. As she was investigating stacks of books in the center’s library, “one of the books fell off the shelf and smacked me in the eye,” she said with a laugh.
The book was a primer on the life of a woman religious, a vocation the young woman was already familiar with. A few years earlier, she had been a secretary at Saint John Parish in Paulsboro (now part of Saint Clare of Assisi Parish) and had witnessed the good works of the Sisters of Mercy.
“I was their ‘uber driver,’” Sister Joann recalled, “and would take them to hospitals to visit the sick, to funerals, even to their homes to visit with their families. And I prayed with them.”
She admits she was drawn to their lives of “hospitality, their works of charity, taking care of schoolchildren and helping individuals and families in need.” But she wasn’t ready to turn to the next chapter of her life – until that experience in the library.
She arrived at the Sisters of Mercy convent in Watchung in 1955, and professed final vows in 1967.
During these last seven decades as a professed religious, she said that God has “constantly given me the graces to reach out to people in any way I can help them.” Those ways include as an educator in parishes and schools in the Diocese of Camden.
Born in Gibbstown to John and Josephine Burzichelli, Sister Joann’s ministry has kept her close to her roots.
From 1962-1972, she was a teacher in the Diocese of Trenton. After receiving a degree in business administration from Georgian Court College (now University), Sister Joanne became a principal, serving in that Diocese from 1972-1979.
Next came the Diocese of Camden, where she went back to Saint John as teacher in its school (1979-1986), and later as its principal (1986-1994).
Sister Joann then moved into parish work, as director of religious education in various diocesan communities. From 1994-1995, she served at Saint Ann, Westville. From 1955-2012, she was director of religious education at both Saint Patrick, Woodbury, and Saint John Vianney, Deptford. From 2012-2015, Sister Joann ministered at Incarnation, Mantua.
Combining personal formation with her ministries, she earned a master’s degree in elementary education administration from Villanova University in 1974, and was awarded an accreditation for pastoral ministries by LaSalle University in 1984.
Today, she works in bereavement ministry at Saint Clare of Assisi Parish in Swedesboro, and leads seniors in prayer and the rosary every Wednesday at a local senior living community.
Her good deeds, and her impact on the community, have not gone unnoticed by local and national organizations – religious and secular.
In 2022, she was recognized by the Gloucester County Commissioners and the Gloucester County Commission for Women as a Gloucester County Woman of Achievement. Last year, she was recognized by the Diocese of Camden, Knights of Columbus, Gloucester County Commissioners and the State of New Jersey for 65 years of service.
A little over a month ago, on April 5, Sister Joann was inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni of her alma mater, Paulsboro High School.
Recognizing Sister Joann’s “many beneficent endeavors,” the school noted she has “continually demonstrated the spirit of love underpinning her vocation.”
“She has created a standard of excellence, displaying compassion and humility.”
Sister Joann, Class of 1955, joined fellow alumni in being recognized. “It is awesome to be in such company,” Sister Joanne said, adding that the honor is “extremely humbling and touching.”
What keeps her committed to her work, she emphasized, is the knowledge that “right now, God needs our help. He needs us to be those compassionate, listening people who are there to help others.”
Sister Joanna also credits the “faith, family and friends” that have been with her on her journey, especially her grandmother. “Every Tuesday night, she would take me to Saint John’s Church for Eucharistic Adoration.”
Sister Joann has advice for those young women and men seeking their own path in life: “God called me through many to follow this journey. Listen to His voice, take time to pray with it and share your feelings with those you love.”
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