This series contains records related to the involvement of the Sisters of St. Joseph from the London diocese in the field of education in Toronto, Ontario. It consists of Sister M. St. Catherine’s yearbook from the University of Toronto, the Torontonensis.
Sans titreThis series contains a short history on the activities of Sister Beata (Jeanne d' Arc Celine) Gagnon of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario during the Blenheim Mission in Blenheim, Ontario. In 1998, Mr. Shawn Moyniham, Principal of St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s Schools in St. Mary’s Parish in Blenheim, Ontario invited Sister Beata to visit the classrooms and interact with the students. Sister Beata arrived on July 1, 1998, and assisted in the faith component of the school curriculum, teaching elements of Mass, religious terminology, the names of Saints with statues in St. Mary’s Church, and the meaning of Advent, Confession, and Confirmation to kindergarten to Grade 3 pupils. She prepared children for their First Holy Communion and provided spiritual guidance to the school staff. She also visited the Nursing Home, Community Centre, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and Blenheim Basement, a place where teenagers could gather. In January 2002, she was an unofficial pastoral assistant upon the arrival of a new priest, Father Paul Duplessie, pastor of Blenheim at St. Mary’s Church. In September 2000, she handcrafted small wooden houses as raffle prizes for fundraising for an upcoming thanksgiving event. Sister Beata worked in the Parish of Blenheim until 2010, when she retired and returned to London, Ontario.
There is a scrapbook style journal written by Sister Beata from 1998 to 2004 chronicling her activities that includes newspaper clippings, printed pictures, and cards from events in St. Mary’s Parish, Blenheim, where Sister Beata worked with the students at St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s Schools. There is also correspondence to and from Sister Beata to Sister Mary Zimmer from 2001 to 2007 with general news about St. Mary’s Church. There are also several invitation cards. One is for the opening of the Capuchins of Central Canada, St. Francis Friary, Blenheim on May 14-15, 2005. Another is to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of St. Mary’s Catholic Women’s League on June 5, 2007. There is also a program brochure with printed photographs for the 70th Anniversary St. Mary’s Parish in 1997.
There are newspaper articles published and printed in the Blenheim News-Tribune, a local community newspaper. The news articles primarily feature St. Mary’s School student activities, a new Blenheim Youth Centre opening and ribbon cutting, a new Friary opening for the Capuchin Fathers of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin, and “View from the Pulpit” column clippings. Notably, on May 28, 1999, Sister Beata had invited over 40 students and 2 teachers to visit her apartment to enjoy snacks and sing songs, and this incident was featured in an article in the Blenheim News-Tribune with a picture on June 2, 1999. In addition, there are photographs of different rooms inside Sister Beata’s apartment on Chatham Street, St. Mary’s School, and of Father Paul Duplessie, pastor of Blenheim at St. Mary’s Church.
There are also brief summaries on the foundation and early history of St. Mary’s Parish in Blenheim and the Town of Erieau and a booklet with printed pictures and drawings of the Fathers of the Capuchins of Central, followers of St. Francis of Assisi who were involved with the area.
Sans titreThis subseries contains the chronicles of Tess’s Place from 2001 to 2010 authored by Sister Therese (Tess) Carmel Slavik (1928-2018) of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario, during the Sisters’ western mission in the Archdiocese of Edmonton. This subseries contains a historical summary of the activities and events of the residents of Tess’s Place at 66th Street, Edmonton, Alberta. Tess’s Place was a boarding house opened in 1988, set up and operated by Sister Tess in partnership with the Boyle Street Co-op Youth Unit. Sister Tess collaborated with Boyle Street to help manage a program for homeless youth aged 13 to 19 years, who were impacted by the legal system and coping with addictions. The topics include Sister Tess driving residents to and from rehabilitative facilities, detention centres, hospital, police station, courthouse, and airport. Topics also include various incidents and happenings such as suicide, attempted suicide, knife attacks, drug and alcohol usage, substance abuse and overdose, cheque cashing and forgery, theft, vandalism, break and enters, UAL’s (unlawfully at large), break-ins, hide-outs, pregnancies, births, sex work, bail, court sentencing, and incarceration. There are also topics on furniture and appliance purchases, gardening and crop harvesting, car and house repairs, renovations, and maintenance, and food, gifts, and monetary donations from St. Clare Parish, Sherwood Park Quilting Group, and supportive individuals. In addition, there is an email correspondence by Kathleen Quinn, Executive Director of the Centre to Empower All Survivors of Exploitation (CEASE) & Trafficking. The email contains a status report from CEASE after they were allocated funds from the sale of Tess’s Place. The report concerns the social welfare work of CEASE to help marginalized women eliminate barriers to secure housing with the organization Building Blocks for Families (BBFF), and four printed pictures of an apartment building supportive of singles, seniors, and low-income families.
Sans titreThis series contains records concerning the establishment of Derrynane Lakehouse in Camlachie, Ontario. Derrynane Lakehouse was a summer beach home and Vocation House for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. The series includes historical summaries on the design and building construction of the lake house. There is a short history from 1825 to 1967 about Daniel O'Connell, an Irish Patriot, and his family’s home named Derrynane House in Ireland, from which the name Derrynane Lakehouse is derived. There is a handwritten letter by Sister Mary Patricia (Columkille) Doyle on the founding history of the Derrynane Lakehouse in Canada and the Derrynane House estate in Ireland, a brief about a home for retired priests written by Reverend Father Cyril A. Doyle, and correspondence with General Superior, Sister Mary Diesbourg, regarding the renovations of Derrynane Lakehouse. There are also hand drawn layout plans for each floor, financial estimates, itemized list of costs quotations, construction timelines, and build agreements for the lake house cottage. In addition, there are photographs of the Sisters visiting Derrynane House in Ireland and Reverend Doyle with a car, as well as photographs and negatives that document Sisters’ activities the renovations of Derrynane Lakehouse.
Sans titreThis series contains the chronicles, short histories, essays, and drafts of St. Joseph’s Convent in St. Marys, Ontario, during the mission of the Congregation of the Sister’s of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. There is a historical summary titled, “History of Early Days in St. Mary’s” that covers a period from 1849 to 1892. The records in this series document the teaching ministry of the Sisters who taught music with many recitals performed in preparation of formal music examinations with either the University of Western Conservatory or the Toronto Conservatory of Music in Ontario. There are several lists related to St. Marys such as Sisters who have been assigned to St. Joseph’s Convent from 1913 to 1984, Priests who served in the town, and Reverends who were stationed at the Holy Name of Mary Church and Parish from 1859 to 1980. There is correspondence between the Community, the Ontario Board of Teachers, and St. Marys Separate School Board related to the administration of the Holy Name Separate School, teacher schedules, and teaching Sisters’ appointments. There are two pamphlets advertising the Friendship Centre for St. Marys Area Seniors and the Westover Park Guest House. There is newsprint magazines published in 1978 and 1979 titled Welcome to St. Marys ‘The Stone Town’ promoting tourism in St. Marys. The series also contains a 1974 program pamphlet on the official opening and blessing of the Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic School. There are news clippings related to various events (processions, communions, jubilees, funerals, sod-turning, and re-openings) at St. Marys (Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church, School and Parish), and a 1975 full page news article with pictures of washed-out streets after St. Marys was flooded with eight inches of water. There are postcards pasted inside the chronicles with printed pictures of Pope John Paul II, Ireland, and London, England. In addition, there is a photo album with photographs depicting Sisters, Fathers, and guests celebrating jubilees and other social and holiday gatherings, and a trip to Martyrs’ Shrine and Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons Mission National Historic Site of Canada at Midland, Ontario. There are photographs of Sister Mary Eunice ice skating and of her teaching students how to skate. There are photographs of students at their First Communion Class at the Holy Name of Mary Church, and photographs of St. Joseph’s Convent and the chapel.
Sans titreThis series contains the records of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario's mission in Simcoe, Ontario. Simcoe is in Norfolk County and is on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabe, Neutral, and Haudenosaunee peoples. At the request of Reverend F. O’Drowski, the Sisters of St. Joseph of London came to Simcoe in 1938. The Sisters moved in a home at 253 Union Street which had once been Father Hannick’s. While in Simcoe, the Sisters’ primary ministry was teaching at St Mary’s School, but they also did various parish ministries and taught catechism and music. In 1963, construction finished, and a new convent was opened at 251 Union Street. Due to a lack of personnel, the Sisters withdrew from Simcoe in 1974. Throughout the 1980s, a few Sisters rented residences in Simcoe and the surrounding area and did parish ministry. The last Sisters left Simcoe in 1989. The records present include annals, histories, event booklets, a guest book, correspondence, financial reports, meeting minutes, and photographs.
Sans titreThe Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario first came to Sandwich (which would become Windsor, Ontario) in 1884 and, as of 2025, continue to live and minister in the city. Windsor is located on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which is an alliance between the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. This series contains annals, photographs, a map, pamphlets, correspondence, news clippings, funeral and memorial cards, and petitions related to the Sisters ministry in London. These annals primarily focus on various small residences which the Sisters lived in while they did ministry in health care, education, and pastoral services. These residences also served as foster homes for disabled children, a retreat centre, a group home for women who had experienced long-term psychiatric illness, and the Adult Spirituality Centre. There is also material related to a Qigong program offered through the Sandwich Community Health Centre. Many of the records within this group focus on individual Sisters ministries.
Sans titreSt. Joseph’s House of Studies was a residence for Sisters of St. Joseph of London studying at Assumption University, Windsor as well as those Sisters teaching music and working at nearby elementary schools. The building at 3020 Sandwich Street West was purchased on July 2, 1959. The Tudor Revival style mansion, previously the home of politician and merchant William J. McKee, was known as Casa Grande. The Sisters hired the Odette Brothers to renovate the house. The Sisters moved into the building on November 27, 1959, and renovations were completed in 1961. St. Joseph’s House of Studies officially closed on July 4, 1974, and the keys were given to Reverend P. Charbonneau of Charity House. The building became Brentwood, a recovery home for male alcoholics. Windsor is located on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which is an alliance between the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi.
This series contains the annals (also referred to as chronicles) of St. Joseph’s House of Studies. Topics include but are not limited to furnishing and renovating the house, the Sisters' ministry, activities at the various schools the Sisters taught and administered, the Sisters' social activities, and preparation for Chapter, a quadrennial event where the Sisters elect new leadership.
Sans titreThis series contains photographs, histories, correspondence, meeting minutes, and pamphlets from St. Joseph's Centre. St. Joseph’s Centre was a holistic care centre opened in 2006 and was located on Tecumseh Road, Windsor. It provided various services including spiritual direction, counseling, and massage. It was operated by Sisters Yvonne Parent, Linda Parent, and Jacqueline Janisse. Windsor is located on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which is an alliance between the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi.
Sans titreThis series contains records created and accumulated by the office of the General Treasurer for the Sisters of St. Joseph in London, Ontario. The records are primarily related to managing the donations given by and to the Sisters and the funding for their ministries, missions, Motherhouses, residences, and outreach projects. In London, St. Joseph’s Hospitality Centre provided food security programs, Medaille Retreat House was a spiritual retreat centre for the Sisters, the Queens Avenue building was a home for women in need, and the Boulee Street house was a ministry to the poor. The Adult Spirituality Centre, St. Joseph’s Manor, the Foster Home on St. Rose Avenue, and Holy Rosary Convent were all in Windsor. St. Joseph’s Manor and the Foster Home were ministries to children in need and Holy Rosary Convent was the main convent for the Windsor Sisters. The Adult Spirituality Centre in Windsor provided spiritual direction and retreats. Another spiritual retreat, Marygrove, was in Aylmer. Outside of Ontario, there are records concerning the Photo History Project at Ataguttaaluk School in Igloolik, Nunavut in which Sister Mary Diesbourg participated, the Sisters at St. Joseph Regional House in Edmonton, Alberta, and the mission in Peru including the collaboration with Heart-Links, a London based charity focused on Peru.
The series includes reports, meeting agendas and minutes, mission statements, budgets, floorplans, funding proposals and requests, grant applications, forms, lists of Sisters involved with specific projects and sites, and correspondence concerning funding, donations, location changes, operations, and testimonials from the public supporting the Sisters’ projects. There are also resolution agreements from the Sisters’ projects. One agreement is with the sole shareholder of a company connected to a property owned by the London congregation, Marygrove, concerning the finances and leadership positions within the company. The other agreement is between the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and the Sisters of St. Joseph to decide the future of the Adult Spirituality Center.
One of the ways that Sisters could request funding for their ministries from the congregation was through the Apostolic Services Fund. Arrangements for the creation of this fund, outlines of requirements to qualify for funding and funding applications are included.
Not all the material is concerned with finances. Some records pertain to other projects the General Treasurer was involved with, particularly when Sister Loretta Manzara held the office. In 2007, the Sisters moved from Mount St. Joseph to a new LEED certified residence at 485 Windermere Road. in the series includes records related to this transition such as the Sisters’ Statement of Values, reports, pamphlets, news clippings, an issue of London Citylife, and newsletters (one of which was titled Crossing Over). There is also material concerned with the sale of Mount St. Joseph, the former Motherhouse.
At the 2012 Foundation Day, the Annals Project was presented. It focused on a shift from keeping annals to looking at the life of the entire congregation as expressed through Chapter reports. Pamphlets, agendas, meeting minutes, and a report on this project are present. Accompanying this material are annotated photocopies of various reports covering the Sisters’ activities from 1959 to 2011 which were referenced for the project.
Records related to the London Sisters’ involvement in Goderich, Ontario are also present, such as correspondence and pamphlets about their commitment to the area and the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first convent outside London.
The series also includes descriptions of icons painted by Sister Mary Anthony Hartleib, as well as prints of some of her artwork (including on the back of her funeral card), and photographs of artwork by Philip Aziz. Other photographs in the series are from the mission in Peru and of students and elders in the report for the Photo History Project at Ataguttaaluk School.
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