Sous-série 01 - St. Joseph’s Convent

4 cm of textual records
5 photographs : col
3 photographs : b&w.

This subseries contains the chronicles of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London, Ontario during their mission at St. Michael’s Parish in Leamington, Ontario from 1932 to 1987. There are short histories, summaries, and drafts that record the activities of the Sisters at St. Joseph’s Convent in Leamington, and there are lists of Sisters who were stationed at the convent and who served in the Leamington Mission. Sister Maureen Meloche wrote a portion of the chronicles from 1983 to 1987. Topics that have been recorded include the arrival of the first group of teaching Sisters, teaching elementary and junior high-school students at St. Michael’s School, the formation of social support groups for parishioners in need (Separated Divorce Catholic Group, Bereaved Parents Group, and Widows and Widowers Group), fundraising for St. Michael’s Church to help impoverished people locally and internationally (Haiti, Guatemala, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia), sponsoring and settling refugee families from countries overseas (Cambodia, Iraq, and Myanmar) in Leamington, and assisting with the Catholic Women’s League’s monthly potluck suppers, annual white elephant auction, and Christmas banquet. Other activities the Sisters participated in or discussed include attending various retreats, workshops, and meetings; going to religious conventions; the teachers’ strike of Essex County from March 16 to April 6, 1981; starting and running a poultry business; and the closing and transformation of St. Joseph’s Convent.

There are newsclippings related to the events of St. Michael’s Church such as the history of St. Michael’s Parish, St. Michael’s School golden anniversary, obituary of Sister Mary Rose, the celebration of the Sisters of St. Joseph of London Centennial Year, pastoral appointments, and the annual Christmas bazaar and banquet of the Catholic Women’s League. There are brochures and pamphlets on Catechetical Workshops in November 1967 and a Liturgical Convention in October 1970. There is an invitation to the blessing of St. Joseph’s Church in St. Michael’s Parish in May 1970. There is correspondence from Sister Elaine Cole to Sister Mary Zimmer relating to the altar repository and credence table; and from Sister Mary Denis to Mother Mary Brendan related to the history of the Leamington Mission in the preparation of a report for the General Chapter. In addition, there are also printed pictures and photographs of Sisters, priests, and the interior and exterior of St. Joseph’s Convent of Leamington.