October 13, 2016 Every year in October, Elms recognize the beginnings of the Elms College founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield. In 1650 in the small village of Le Puy, France, the Sisters of St. Joseph became one of the first Catholic communities established for the ordinary woman. The six founding French women of the Sisters of St. Joseph shared a “profound love of God and neighbor without distinction,” to love and work so that all might be one.