Special Documents Returned
Providence Care archivist Megan Kerrigan delivers the plans to Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul archivist Danielle HughesBY DANIELLE HUGHES Ninety-two years after preparations for a new hospital to be built and operated by the Sisters of Providence in Kitchener, Ontario were cancelled, the original architectural drawings were returned to the Sisters of Providence Archives. On January 14, 2009, Megan Kerrigan, archivist for...
Vocation News April 2009
Sister Barbara Thiffault spoke about each person’s call from God and shared aspects of her life.BY SR. BARBARA THIFFAULT The Vocation Team, now the Vocation/ Formation Team, continues its work of Vocation Ministry. The members of the Team are Sister Barbara Thiffault (Contact) , Sister Lucy Kearney, Sister Rita Gleason and Sister Nancy Wilson who has recently joined the Team. Sisters Dianne McNamara and Monica Whalen are the Council Liaisons....
Associates Welcome Candidates
Sue MacDonald (left) of Kingston and Liliane Hamilton of Camrose made formal commitments as Providence Associates during the AGEM.BY SISTER CATHERINE CANNON Associates and Sisters met for their Annual General Education Meeting the weekend of September 26 and 27. Friday afternoon and evening consisted of a Happy Hour, evening meal together, a welcome and the presentation of an inspiring and thought provoking DVD, Turtle World. This acted as an...
Associates Commitment Ceremony
We welcome new Associates, from left, Marietta Marcial, Marie McCartney and Cathy BryanBY SISTER CATHERINE CANNON The morning of April 5, 2008 dawned bright and clear with all the freshness and new life of spring. Outside Providence Motherhouse, birds were chirping, buds were opening and Mr. and Mrs. Duck had returned and were spotted over by the barn deliberating (discerning) just when and where to lay their eggs. And inside Providence...
Poverty Vigil Celebrates 13 Years
Scene from the 13th Anniversary Silent Vigil held on November 13th, 2008.“The last thing poverty respects is age. Young, old or in between, being poor erases smiles from our faces.”— quote posted on a sign at the 13th anniversary of the Silent Vigil The Ontario government releases its long awaited poverty reduction strategy within weeks and the Sisters of Providence have played a role in forcing the government to take action. For 13 years, the...
In Silence, Wisdom is born
General Superior Sr. Pauline Lally at the 13th Anniversary of the Silent Vigil.BY GENERAL SUPERIOR SISTER PAULINE LALLY Twelve years ago when I returned to Kingston, after a two year stint out of the country, I soon discovered that I had come back to a very different Ontario. I remember one of my friends telling me at the time, “You won’t recognize the province, Pauline,” and he was right. There had been a deficit and a debt and yes, these...
Meal Providers Face Higher Demand
Bonita McCourt of the Salvation Army Community Services speaks during the October luncheon.In Kingston you can order an $11 poutine with braised veal cheeks. Or lunch on truffled frites with shaved parmesan and aioli. Or you can visit Vinnie’s, the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s north end lunch program that saw demand for its free meals rise 36% in the first six months of 2008 compared to 2007. Martha’s Table served 37% more meals during this...
Living the mission
Sister Irene MacDonell with the soccer team in Peru.A Sister of Providence who has lived in Peru for 40 years, offered insight into a harsh and dangerous country during a visit to Providence Motherhouse in early September. Over 50 people turned out to listen to Sister Irene MacDonell. She was accompanied in her presentation by Sister Dianne McNamara, General Council Liaison for Peru, and a recent visitor to Peru. Sister Irene is a diminutive...
Leadership Award
Sr. Una ByrneThe Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul were selected from among a group of nominees to be honoured with the Davies Award for Philanthropic Leadership. This award is granted annually by University Hospitals Kingston Foundation (UHKF) on behalf of Kingston’s hospital foundations, to an individual or organization for outstanding philanthropic leadership benefiting Kingston’s health sciences centre and the provision of...
Colleagues Honour Sr. Gayle
Sr. Gayle Desarmia has become the first archivist from a religious order to win an award given to an individual who has made a significant contribution within the Ontario Archival community. Elgin County archivist Brian Masschaele submitted the nomination along with research by Danielle Hughes and Tom McCarthy, both employees of the Archives at Providence Motherhouse. Danielle accepted the Alexander Fraser Award on behalf of Sister Gayle at an...
Congratulations Jubilarians
photo left to right(back row): Sr. Mary Joan FaFleur, Sr. Stella Syzbisty, Sr. Peggy Flanagan, Sr. Margaret Mary, Sr. Marlene Schuster, Sr. Leona Fitzgerald and Sr. Reinalda Kloosterman left to right (front row): Sr. Patricia Kelly, Sr. Rose Bekar and Sr. Mary GeorgeA remarkable 590 years of religious life is being celebrated this year by the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul. Ten Sisters celebrated their Jubilee anniversaries at...
Elegant addition to Chapel
Photo by Nicole PicotteSome believe they’re looking at angels, others perceive flowers, wings, flames, and even sails. But whatever the interpretation, there is agreement on one thing — the new candle holders in the Chapel at Providence Motherhouse are magnificent. The five candle stands are made with bended wood, giving a whimsical shape that were designed to look like the petals of flowers. Co-ordinator of Pastoral Liturgy Albert Dunn says...
Eye Witness to War
Sally Armstrong, seated, signs a copy of her book for Sarah Welsh, Electa Resource Centre librarian. The Resource Centre has copies of two books by the author - The nine lives of Charlotte Taylor: The first woman settler of the Miramichi and Veiled threat: The hidden power of the women of Afghanistan.Sally Armstrong has been nicknamed Afghan Sally and the Crusading Journalist. The Amnesty International award winner and documentary filmmaker...
Seeds get national recognition
left to right: Carol, Robert, General Superior Sr. Pauline Lally and Sr. Monica WhalenThe Heirloom Seed Sanctuary has received national recognition for its contribution to the environment. As a result, Robert and Carol Mouck, guardians of the seeds, have been beseiged with requests for media interviews. It’s a little overwhelming for Robert and Carol, who toil away quietly on the sacred gardens of Providence Motherhouse. Canadian Environment...
Sowing a Seed in Peru
BY SISTER JEAN HIGGINS .. unless a wheat grain falls into the earth and dies, it remains only a single grain but if it dies it yields a rich harvest- St.John 12:24 I went to Peru in 1986 and started working with several Youth Groups. I had also worked with the youth in Guatemala. Each country is different. Even the Spanish had variations that I had to learn. After many months of enjoying the enthusiasm of these young people, both male and...
Camrose Associates 2007
BY MIRIAM HANOSKI, DR. SUNA SMITH AND SISTER BERNADINE BOKENFOHR In 1996, at the invitation of Sr. Judith Ann Murphy, we received the first group of seven inquirers. Miriam and Norm Hanoski, Doug and Mary Tien, Debbie Muise, Hildegard Schafter and Anne Roper began deepening their Spiritual Journey with God. After an intense formation of over three years including studying about our Spiritual Founders, our Provident God, Blessed Virgin Mary,...
Associates Celebrate Milestone
Providence Associate Director Sr. Catherine CannonBY CHRISTINE DIZAZZO Following a year of soul-searching on the part of both Sisters and Associates about the nature of their relationship, the celebration on September 29th of the first commitment ceremony of Canadian Associates was a joyous occasion. Several members of that first group of 14 women who made their commitment as Associates in 1987 were present for the Annual Retreat. Sisters and...
Great Canadian Catholic Hospital Project
Sister of Providence Monica Laton and Dr. R J Barr visit a young patient in a pediatric room at St. Francis de Sales General Hospital, Smiths Falls in 1954.Archivists Sr. Gayle Desarmia and Danielle Hughes undertook a major research project this year when they participated in the Great Canadian Catholic Hospital Project. Mr. Greg Humbert of the Catholic Health Association of Canada is compiling information which documents the legacy and...
Sister Marian Honoured
Sister of Providence General Superior Pauline Lally accepts the award from Holy Cross principal Paul Walsh.Sister of Providence Marian McCallum received the prestigious Principal’s Award during graduation ceremonies at Holy Cross Secondary School in Kingston on June 28, 2007. Holy Cross principal Paul Walsh delivered the following speech during convocation. Our school community has benefited tremendously over the years due to the spirit of...
First and lasting impression
BY SISTER IRENE MACDONELL April 7th, 1970, found me sitting on a bench in the Peruvian airport. In vain I waited but no SP’s came to claim me. Fortunately Sister Shirley Morris had prepared a card of directions in case of an emergency. I felt my situation fit that description. At this moment a very kind looking tour driver came to my aid. Out came Shirley’s card! The gentleman accepted to drive me “out there” but first looked for a second...