Subserie 01 - Our Lady of Mercy Convent, 174 London Road

15 cm of textual records
15 photographs : b&w

This subseries contains a chronicle of Our Lady of Mercy Convent in Sarnia by the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario. There is a record on the founding of Sarnia Parish from 1840 to 1919, and short histories on the growth and development of the parish from 1840 to 1977. There are records of the Sisters’ education ministries at separate schools and pastoral work. The Sisters worked in roles as Principals and teachers in elementary schools and high schools, attended the Ontario English Catholic Teachers' Association annual meetings, taught music students who won awards at the Lambton Music Festival, and at the Canadian Legion public speaking contests. The records in this subseries note the Sisters ran school activity clubs like the Glee Club, coordinated fundraising events like the Miles for Millions walkathon, organized local and provincial science fairs, education week open houses, field sport days, prom nights, and graduation ceremonies. Other documented ministries include providing Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, religious education to Catholic children attending secular schools, participating in the first Medaille Retreat in Hamilton, attending Catholic Women’s League meetings, reflection groups, and ecumenical activities.

There are several lists including Sisters stationed at Our Lady of Mercy Convent from 1906 to 1977, priests who served at Our Lady of Mercy Parish from 1854 to 1980, inventory of furniture at Our Lady of Mercy Convent, doners and their donations, Christmas card recipients, and a list of religious communities in Sarnia. There are also financial reports. There are minutes of Our Lady of Mercy Convent house meetings from 1935 to 1963. There is a document in English and Latin titled “Ceremonies for Consecration of Altar at Our Lady of Mercy Convent Sarnia,” and a certificate in Latin signed by the Chancellor for Joannes Christophorous. There are several pamphlets related to Our Lady of Mercy Parish Centenary, the 125th Church Anniversary of Our Lady of Mercy, and the Golden Jubilee of Right Reverend Lorenzo Patrick Lowry, Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church.

This subseries also contains correspondence from 1924 to 2000 related to the administration of Our Lady of Mercy Convent and news clippings featuring articles on the Sisters, the schools, the parishes, and Reverend Thomas J. McCarthy In addition, there is a postcard of Our Lady of Mercy Convent and photographs depicting the Sisters, Monsignor Reverend Father Lorenzo Patrick Lowry, and the interior and exterior of Our Lady of Mercy Church and Convent.