By Tony DeGol
Proclaim!
The Carmelite Community of the Word has announced the upcoming retirement of two sisters, which will bring to an end the religious community’s leadership at the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown’s Fulton County Catholic Mission.
Currently, Sister Martha Burbulla, CCW, (pictured above) serves as the Director of the Mission, and Sister Judith Karlak, CCW, is the Assistant Director.
Both Sister Martha and Sister Judith will retire on December 31, 2024.
The Fulton County Catholic Mission is based at Saint Stephen Parish in McConnellsburg and has been administered by CCW sisters since the Mission’s founding in 1988.
Sister Martha has been with the Mission for 26 years, first as Assistant Director, and then Director, succeeding the late Sister Margie Monahan, CCW, in 2018. Sister Judith joined Sister Martha at that time.
As a result, of the Sisters’ upcoming retirements, the staffing and operations of the Fulton County Catholic Mission is being entrusted to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown.
The mission will continue to meet the needs of individuals and families in Fulton County – regardless of their faith tradition.
“I’m very grateful to the Carmelite Community of the Word for the Sisters’ faithful service to the people of Fulton County over the decades,” Bishop Mark noted. “I extend my prayerful best wishes to Sister Martha and Sister Judith as they begin their retirement in just a few months.”
