Diocesan News

Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood Recognized for Sustainability Efforts

June 11, 2026
In accepting the award, Sister Karen Burke (second from left) noted that decisions made today “need to be decisions for the next seven generations.” She is pictured at the ceremony with (from left) Jorge DeJesus, director of mission advancement; Jeff Smith, director of grants and funding; and Emily Monem, director of events. (Photo: Courtesy of the Sisters of St. Joseph)

BRENTWOOD — The Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, who operate several environmentally friendly programs on and near their Long Island campus, are the recipients of a new award aimed at promoting sustainability.

The Sisters were recently named the winner of the Inaugural Sustainability and Environmental Award at the 14th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards, held at the Crest Hollow Country Club. The Sustainability and Environmental Award, sponsored by Chase for Business, includes a $5,000 prize.

The award is aimed at recognizing a Long Island organization that is committed to environmental sustainability and that demonstrates it by working on projects that protect local habitats and encourage others to respect nature

Leydi Rebmann (left) and Heather Bolkas are part of the Garden Ministry that includes a beekeeping program. (Photo: Courtesy of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood)

The sisters, who have been on Long Island for 130 years, view their sustainability efforts as part of their religious congregation’s charism, said Sister Karen Burke, CSJ, a member of the leadership team.

“We talk about our charism — love of God and neighbor — without distinction,” she explained. “And that distinction has moved beyond people; moving to include all of nature and all of creation.”

The religious congregation was rewarded for the work of its Garden Ministry and Ecological Sustainability Team.

RELATED: Sisters of St. Joseph Help Tackle Long Island Housing Crisis

Among other projects, the sisters operate a beehive, partner with local farmers to provide vegetables for food pantries, maintain a kelp farm with the Shinnecock community, and keep chickens, rabbits, and goats.

The sisters also installed 3,192 solar panels on their campus to meet their energy needs while respecting the environment.