The Future of the Archives

The Future of the Archives

Veronica Stienburg, Archivist for the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The archives of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul contains records concerning the congregation’s history in Kingston, across Canada, and in Massachusetts, Guatemala and Peru. The archives are currently located in Providence Motherhouse, in Kingston. As the congregation moves towards completion and Providence Village...

Encounters in Peru

Encounters in Peru

BY SISTER GAYLE DESARMIA During the Fall of 2023 I had the privilege of making two trips to Peru. The first was from October 18-25 and the second was from November 12-29. During these times in Peru, I had a variety of experiences that enhanced my understanding of the people and their culture while at the same time allowing me the opportunity to support Sister Sara Jimenez and the Peruvian Providence Associates. While there I attended both the...

Final Chapter of the Sisters of Providence

Final Chapter of the Sisters of Providence

BY SISTER FRANCES O'BRIEN In late October, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul took a monumental step in our 162-year history by convoking our final General Chapter. For almost 3 years, we had been meeting regularly with facilitator and Canon Lawyer, Sister Bonnie MacLellan, a Sister of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. Bonnie helped us to understand various options we could take if we could no longer elect a Leadership Team...

Reflection for Closing Liturgy of Chapter 2023

Reflection for Closing Liturgy of Chapter 2023

At the Mass to celebrate the closing of Chapter, Providence Associates Director Barbara Baker shared the following reflection with the gathered Sisters and Associates in the Motherhouse Chapel. Included below is her reflection. Many times, for community celebrations, we hear the story of how the original four Sisters of Providence arrived in Kingston from Montreal on a dark winter’s night in December 1861. We have heard how they opened their...

Chapters of the Past

Chapters of the Past

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul held their final Chapter recently. What is Chapter? Chapter is a collegial body representing the entire congregation and when in session constitutes the highest authority within the Congregation. The Sisters of Providence have held 42 Chapters from 1869 to 2023. The first chapter and first set of elections were held on August 26, 1869. At that time there were only...

PVI Celebrates Official Opening of New Walking Paths

PVI Celebrates Official Opening of New Walking Paths

Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, their associates, Providence Motherhouse staff, PVI staff and PVI subtenants, gathered at PVI and the Providence Motherhouse to celebrate the official opening of the Village’s new walking paths.BY CORY ANGELETTI-SZASZ, PVI COMMUNICATIONSReprinted with permission from www.providencevillage.ca On October 23, Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul, their associates, Providence Motherhouse staff,...

Looking back on the Garage

Looking back on the Garage

Garage in June 2023.  BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The garage was demolished in September, but it served the Motherhouse well for almost 60 years. A large garage, including living quarters for employees, had been built on the Motherhouse property in 1951; unfortunately, it didn’t survive being moved to make way for the construction of the Administration wing in 1963. The garage we knew, including a residence, was built in 1964. December 16,...

The 2023 Jubilee Celebration, Jubilarian reflections and thank you’s

The 2023 Jubilee Celebration, Jubilarian reflections and thank you’s

The 2023 Jubilarian celebrants are, standing from left: Sisters Ellen Murray (70 years), Elaine Hogan (70 years), Sandra Shannon (60 years), and sitting is Sister Joanne Colligan (60 years).On Saturday, June 10, four Sisters of Providence celebrated milestone Jubilees totaling 260 years. It was a wonderful celebration which opened with Sister Frances O’Brien welcoming everyone on behalf of the Sisters, as General Superior Sister Sandra Shannon...

Looking back on the barn

Looking back on the barn

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Barn on Providence Motherhouse property has more of a history than you might think. We aren’t sure how old it is, but it was on the property when the Sisters purchased Heathfield in 1930; although, it was in a slightly different location and was facing a different direction than we know it. The barn was located closer to the Motherhouse. From looking at aerial photographs, it looks like it was just north of...

Contemplating the Labyrinth

Contemplating the Labyrinth

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Labyrinth in the back field of Providence Motherhouse has returned to nature, but for a time it was an important prayer space used by sisters and retreatants at Providence Spirituality Centre. It was planned by a committee of Sisters, Associates, and Providence Spirituality Centre Staff and built in the Spring of 2002 by the Motherhouse Maintenance Department. It was a seven-circle wheelchair-accessible...

Who built the Motherhouse?

Who built the Motherhouse?

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The original wing of the building, known as the 1932 wing, was designed by Architect Colin Drever and the contractor was Angus Robertson of Montreal. This is a photograph of the workmen, hired by Angus Robertson, who actually built the Motherhouse. The workmen are standing in front of what we know as the north half of the former PSC wing. The photograph was taken on November 9th, 1931 while the building was...

Everything has its time

Everything has its time

Providence Village is a community of hope, belonging and wellbeing for the vulnerable where diverse partners offer compassionate care and support services to honour and continue the spirit and Catholic legacy of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. The construction phase has started and Sister Jeannette Filthaut reflects on it in this article. For updates on Providence Village go to www.providencevillage.ca.BY SISTER JEANNETTE...

What did Heathfield look like in 1930?

What did Heathfield look like in 1930?

BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST In June 1930 the Sisters of Providence purchased Heathfield, an approximately 30 acre property just outside the western limits of the city of Kingston, from Mr. H. Jennings. The property was surveyed on September 25th, 1930 and the site plan was completed on October 10th, 1930. The plan shows the original gatehouse that stood near the entrance on Princess Street. You can see the driveway had only one loop and...

Motherhouse Offered Shelter During 1998 Ice Storm

Motherhouse Offered Shelter During 1998 Ice Storm

Trees and barn covered in ice on the Motherhouse property, Kingston Ontario, January 1998.An office is converted into an emergency bedroom at Providence Motherhouse, Kingston, Ontario, in January 1998.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST This January is the 25th anniversary of the Ice Storm of 1998. During the aftermath of the storm, Providence Motherhouse offered shelter to members of the public and Sisters who stayed for several days between...

Interfaith teachings on peace – 2022 potluck

Interfaith teachings on peace – 2022 potluck

BY SISTER PAULINE LALLY A vibrant group of individuals from various faiths, beliefs and spiritual traditions, who have been meeting monthly since the 150th Anniversary of Canada, held their annual potluck – the 1st still in the pandemic – in Memorial Hall at the historic City Hall on November 29.  Each year this Kingston Interfaith Community opens to the wider Kingston community in this way.  About 100 folks came to enjoy diverse food and music...

Remembering Holy Family Hospital…

Remembering Holy Family Hospital…

The original Holy Family Hospital, later known as Marian Villa. This house served as the hospital from 1947 to 1954.BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST The Sisters of Providence opened Holy Family Hospital for the chronically ill in 1947 in an old house in the Fraserview area of Vancouver, British Columbia. The house later known as Marian Villa served as the hospital and convent for 7 years, before a purpose-built hospital opened in March 1954....

Interfaith teachings on peace – 2022 potluck

Kingston Interfaith Potluck 2022

Photos by Sister Jeannette Filthaut, SPThe Kingston Interfaith Community held a potluck supper on November 29, and Sister Pauline Lally spoke to the group as a Christian member of the interfaith group. The theme for the evening was "Peace" which Sister Pauline referenced frequently in her speech below.Once when a non-Catholic friend of mine attended Mass with me, he remarked how often he heard the word, “Peace” used in the liturgy.  So, Peace –...

Keeping Warm…

Keeping Warm…

Coal truck delivering coal to Providence Motherhouse in ca.1943. (If you don’t recognize this view of the front door, it’s because we are used to seeing the Administration wing to the east of the main entrance, but it wasn’t built until 1964.)BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST As the weather gets colder, we all appreciate when the heat is turned on at the Motherhouse. Have you ever thought about how Providence Motherhouse was originally heated?...