Anne Myers knows about sisterhood

It might be Mother's Day, but no one calls Sister Anne Myers Mother Superior anymore.

That title - bestowed on Catholic nuns who lead orders of sisters - went away decades ago.

Now, Sister Anne, 65, who leads 759 sisters, all members of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, has the rather prosaic title of congregational president.

The sisters teach and lead at colleges and schools, serve in hospitals and nursing homes, assist in parishes, and welcome immigrants.

Mother Superior isn't your title, but do you feel like a mother?

We're all adults. So mother doesn't quite capture the relationship that you have with your sisters. We are equals in collaboration with each other. I feel dedicated to this congregation and to every sister. I feel love for these sisters. I feel appreciative of them and caring of them - however you define that.

How do you define it?

I'm their sister, their caring sister, wanting life fully for every one of them.

What about motherhood?

By virtue of being a sister that's something that each one of us had to freely relinquish.

Was it difficult?

It's a great sacrifice. But I feel like I, along with every other sister, really gets to give the gift of spiritual and emotional motherhood to others. We don't bring forth life physically, but we're called to be life-giving and to enhance the lives of others by how we treat them.

Spiritual motherhood?

Because I want to bring forth life. I think every woman wants to bring forth life. There are many ways to do that.

What's the biggest difference between being a regular sister and the CEO, if you will, of this order?

I had no idea of everything that was involved in the running of a congregation - issues related to housing and property and finance and sponsored works. Plus, you get to know a lot more about the lives and ministries of so many more sisters, wonderful things that people do. So that's been a joyful revelation.

What leadership skills do you need in your role?

You have to have good communication skills, good ability to listen, good ability to express yourself. Willingness to collaborate with others.

How did you become the congregational president?

You're literally called forth from among your sisters to a position of service.

How are decisions made?

I don't really make very many decisions by myself. What I have for lunch I'll decide myself. Most other things I won't, because our general counsel (group of four other sisters) meets twice a week. There's a lot of collaboration involved in this.

Does the buck stop with you?

Yes, it does.

So do you collaborate and collaborate and then, in the end, you decide?

It's up to all of us to decide. There wouldn't be a decision made that I wouldn't be in agreement with. Let's put it that way.

What do you do to relax?

I like to read, and I love to listen to classical music. I walk around these grounds just about every day. I like to do some praying while I walk. It's like God is everywhere in the beauty of everything that's blooming. A lot of times I walk by myself to just be connected with God in that way.

How much time do you spend a day praying?

We have Mass every day. Then we have a little prayer group. That's another 20 minutes. Then I usually try to pray for an hour a day besides that personally.

Are you frustrated that women can't be priests?

I've come to peace with it at this point. I would like to be able to celebrate the Eucharist and to hear confession.

You probably heard confessions when you were a clinical psychologist.

As a psychologist I felt like many times I was offering people absolution.

Interview questions and answers have been edited for space.

jvonbergen@phillynews.com

215-854-2769@JaneVonBergen

Home: Mother House at Chestnut Hill College.

Family: 759 sisters, lives with 60 of them.

Grew up: In Northeast Philadelphia with four sisters, two brothers.

Nun name: Sister Patrick Christina - her fellow sisters called her Pat. Nuns now use baptismal names.

Diplomas: St. Hubert Catholic High School for Girls; Chestnut Hill College, psychology; Loyola University, master's in psychology; Temple University, doctorate in clinical psychology.

On TV: "Modern Family," "The Middle," "Madam Secretary."

Official name: Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, part of a national federation.

Sisters: 759. 559 older than 70. Youngest is 28.

Territory: Most sisters live, work in Philadelphia area; others in 15 states, Canada.

History: Began in France in 1650. Mission to U.S. in 1863 and here in 1858.

Missions: Sisters work at Chestnut Hill College, Mount St. Joseph Academy, other schools; retirement homes; social service agencies, hospitals, welcome center for immigrants in Philadelphia.