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Vol. 3 No. 19 - Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul
Vol. 3 No. 19 - Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul
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<strong>PROVIDENCE</strong> PAGES<br />
Vol. 3 No. 19 FALL 2011<br />
Published regularly by the Communications Office of the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul<br />
Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul<br />
The September Silent Vigil marked two anniversaries — 150th anniversary of the congregation and the 16th year of the vigil. The two<br />
anniversaries underlined a longstanding commitment to addressing both the symptoms and the causes of poverty.
BY CHRISTINE ROSS<br />
The gap between rich and<br />
poor in Canada is widening<br />
at a faster pace than in the<br />
United States.<br />
A Conference Board of Canada<br />
report released in September also<br />
indicates that our nation has the<br />
fourth largest increase in income<br />
inequality among its peers.<br />
For 150 years, the Sisters of<br />
Providence have worked tirelessly to<br />
dig out the roots of poverty. Sixteen<br />
years ago, this mission intensified in<br />
reaction to deep social cuts by the<br />
provincial government.<br />
“I was at the first vigil 16 years ago,”<br />
remarked Sister of Providence Una<br />
Byrne. “We were shocked at the<br />
deep social cuts affecting our most<br />
vulnerable. We felt compelled to act.<br />
Sadly, little has changed. The<br />
government continues to fight the<br />
deficit on the backs of the poor and<br />
the gap between the rich and poor is<br />
widening.”<br />
is politics’ is an overstatement,” the<br />
Senator told a late summer Sister of<br />
Providence gathering, adding that<br />
poverty should be an issue for every<br />
candidate seeking election. “Until<br />
you engage at the level that gets<br />
candidates attention…candidates<br />
won’t respond.”<br />
The Sisters took part in the recent<br />
Faith To End Poverty campaign during<br />
the October provincial election.<br />
With close to 200 supporters among<br />
them, the Sisters launched this sign<br />
blitz campaign during a special<br />
Silent Vigil, marking two anniversaries:<br />
16th anniversary of the vigil<br />
and 150th anniversary of the<br />
congregation.<br />
Jamie Swift helped organize the<br />
province wide campaign. His story<br />
on page 3.<br />
Digging out the roots of<br />
Poverty<br />
2 Digging out the roots of Poverty<br />
Christine Ross<br />
3 Poverty Reduction<br />
Jamie Swift<br />
4 150th Events West & East<br />
West: Sister Rita Gleason<br />
East: Christine Ross<br />
5 Legacy Recognition Project<br />
Covenant Health<br />
6 Fall Gathering West & East<br />
West: Sister Dianne Brennen<br />
East: Sister Sandra Shannon<br />
7 Tapestry Timeline<br />
Kristina Jellema<br />
8 Healing Tree<br />
Christine Ross<br />
9 Say No to Tar Sands<br />
Bridget Doherty<br />
FALL 2011<br />
Providence Pages<br />
10 Liturgy Schedule<br />
11 Changes to Catholic Mass<br />
Albert Dunn<br />
12 Mystery Unfolding<br />
Sister Gayle Desarmia<br />
Sister Frances O’Brien<br />
13- 15 Providence Associates<br />
16 Vocation/Formation News<br />
17 PSC Director retires<br />
Sister Lucy Bethel<br />
18 In Memoriam<br />
Sister Rose Mary Ryan<br />
19 In Memoriam<br />
Sister Joan Wing<br />
20 Contacts/Mission Statement<br />
Poverty is political. Just ask Senator<br />
Hugh Segal. “I don’t think ‘poverty<br />
2
Commitment to Poverty Reduction<br />
150 people gathered with Sisters of Providence at the weekly silent vigil at Kingston City Hall on<br />
September 16 to raise awareness about social justice. It marked the 16th anniversary of the vigil and the<br />
launch of an election sign blitz campaign to end poverty.<br />
BY JAMIE SWIFT<br />
“Together in this vigil we bring<br />
before us injustices affecting<br />
our world…”<br />
The Rt. Rev. Michael Oulton had to<br />
raise his voice above the hum of<br />
traffic in front of City Hall. But<br />
most of the 150 supporters gathered<br />
to mark the sixteenth anniversary<br />
of our Silent Vigil could hear<br />
Kingston’s new Anglican Bishop as<br />
he led us in prayer.<br />
The September 16 gathering was<br />
also part of the ongoing celebration<br />
of 150 years of Sisters of<br />
Providence service in Kingston.<br />
The two anniversaries underlined a<br />
longstanding commitment to<br />
addressing both the symptoms and<br />
causes of poverty in a land of<br />
plenty. As Kingston Senator Hugh<br />
Segal noted in a letter of recognition:<br />
“Your vigil on September 16<br />
reflects in its consistency and the determination<br />
of your Order and its<br />
many supporters to bear witness to<br />
the scourge of poverty and homelessness<br />
that still weakens our city,<br />
our neighborhoods, our province<br />
and country.”<br />
The anniversary vigil was remarkable<br />
for its ecumenical nature. Not<br />
only did Bishop Oulton lead the<br />
prayer. The other faith communities<br />
represented included people from<br />
the United Church, the Kingston<br />
Unitarian Fellowship, the Society of<br />
Friends and of course the Roman<br />
Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston.<br />
Local Lutheran and Presbyterian<br />
congregations participated in the<br />
Faith To End Poverty campaign by<br />
displaying signs reading Let’s Vote for<br />
a Poverty Free Ontario.<br />
3<br />
Tara Kainer of the JPIC office distributes<br />
signs with the message Let’s Vote for a<br />
Poverty Free Ontario.<br />
We made a special effort to invite<br />
candidates from the four main political<br />
parties, all of whom stood holding<br />
the lawn signs that became<br />
familiar around town during the recent<br />
campaign.<br />
In 2009 all political parties in the<br />
Ontario Legislature supported a new<br />
Poverty Reduction Act. By passing<br />
this historic legislation unanimously,<br />
the three parties at Queen’s Park<br />
recognized that “a sustained commitment<br />
to work together to develop<br />
strong and healthy children,<br />
youth, adults, families and communities<br />
is required to effectively reduce<br />
poverty.”<br />
Sisters Frances O’Brien and<br />
Sandra Shannon attended the<br />
special Silent Vigil.<br />
Of course, such an Act needs to be<br />
backed up by the political will to put<br />
words into action.<br />
“Thus, we stand in hope,”<br />
concluded Bishop Oulton, reading<br />
the verse recited by the vigil keepers<br />
every Friday.
BY SISTER RITA GLEASON<br />
In addition to the Silent Vigil in<br />
Kingston, outreach to the poor<br />
became an integral part of our<br />
congergational 150th anniversary<br />
celebration in the West as well.<br />
Sisters in Edmonton chose to<br />
volunteer at Marian Centre<br />
(Madonna House Apostolate) on<br />
August 23rd. We joined other<br />
volunteers to prepare a meal that<br />
would be served to the homeless<br />
and needy who came to the door<br />
that day. We were expecting a large<br />
number as it was also the day that<br />
clothing was being offered to those<br />
in need. The clothes were neatly<br />
folded and hung on racks to make it<br />
easier to choose items.<br />
We stopped our work mid morning<br />
for a snack and a hot or cold beverage,<br />
at which time the community<br />
members and volunteers gathered in<br />
a circle for prayer, spiritual reading<br />
and shared reflection. We, the Sisters,<br />
were then given a tour of<br />
Marian Centre and we watched a<br />
video presentation of the spirit and<br />
history of Madonna House in<br />
Combermere. Then it was time to<br />
share a meal together before serving<br />
over 270 guests who came to the<br />
dining room that day.<br />
While the other Sisters and volunteers<br />
helped in the dining room<br />
which was appropriately decorated<br />
with a mural depicting Jesus in the<br />
bread line, I helped in the clothing<br />
room, where I witnessed such wonderful<br />
hospitality and gentleness<br />
from the staff who treated each person<br />
with love and compassion. The<br />
guests all left with grateful hearts<br />
and smiles on their faces.<br />
One of the young women I had the<br />
privilege of helping was still outside<br />
150th Events West & East<br />
Four of the Edmonton Sisters (Pat Amyot, Jeannette Filthaut, Rita<br />
Gleason and Avita Kilar) volunteered at the Marian Centre throughout<br />
the day. They were joined later by the other Sisters (Diane<br />
Brennen and Ellen Murray) for Mass and supper with the members<br />
of the Madonna House Apostolate who service the Marian Centre.<br />
4<br />
when we left. As we were getting<br />
into the car she jokingly asked if she<br />
could come and live with us. She<br />
really was joking as she already has a<br />
place to live, but she’s one of the<br />
“working poor” who can’t afford to<br />
buy all the necessities of life.<br />
Wishing to join us in our 150th<br />
Anniversary celebration, the community<br />
at Marian Centre invited us<br />
to join with them in the Eucharistic<br />
celebration followed by the evening<br />
meal. Following the meal,<br />
Sr. Jeannette<br />
presented the<br />
president, Gerard<br />
LeSage, a<br />
cheque in the<br />
amount of<br />
$1,000.00.<br />
Gerard was so<br />
surprised at our<br />
generosity that<br />
he could hardly<br />
speak. In addition<br />
to the<br />
cheque, we gave<br />
them three turkeys purchased by<br />
Sr. Jeannette, and fresh vegetables<br />
from Sister Avita’s garden.<br />
As we were leaving, we shared<br />
among ourselves our experience<br />
from the day and agreed that it was<br />
a positive community experience of<br />
mutual love, joy and gratitude.<br />
In Kingston, a similar meal was<br />
prepared thanks to a financial<br />
donation from the Sisters of<br />
Providence to the St. Vincent de<br />
Paul Society as an outreach to mark<br />
the 150th anniversary. In a letter of<br />
thanks, Society administration Deb<br />
Greer says a wonderful meal was<br />
enjoyed on September 15th and the<br />
remainder of the funds were<br />
forwarded to the Food Pantry.<br />
She continued, “One of our<br />
participants has stated that feeling<br />
poor is worse than being poor.<br />
Thank you to those who support<br />
our work as we help many feel less<br />
poor. Now it’s time to look less<br />
poor! Thank you, Sisters, for your<br />
kindness and there is no doubt you<br />
are making a positive difference in<br />
the community, especially during<br />
these difficult times.”
REPRINTED HERE WITH PERMISSION<br />
COVENANT HEALTH<br />
Several Sisters of Providence<br />
including two members of<br />
Leadership, Sisters Una Byrne<br />
and Sandra Shannons, attended the<br />
Catholic Sisters’ Legacy Recognition<br />
Project held in September to<br />
recognize Catholic Sisters for<br />
their historical contribution to<br />
public life in Alberta over<br />
the past 150 years.<br />
A new addition to the<br />
Alberta Legislature recognizes<br />
the courageous and intrepid<br />
religious women who helped to<br />
found the province, providing<br />
health care, education and social<br />
services to pioneer communities.<br />
A bronze monument unveiled<br />
September 28th honours all the<br />
congregations of Sisters who<br />
served across the province and<br />
celebrates their legacy of care<br />
and compassion carried on by<br />
others today.<br />
“This monument serves as a powerful<br />
tribute to the impact the Catholic<br />
Sisters have had on so many lives in<br />
our province, including my own. As<br />
a young child, I experienced the care<br />
and compassion of the Catholic Sisters<br />
firsthand, and this is a fitting<br />
way to honour their service, dedication,<br />
and care to countless Albertans,”<br />
said Premier Ed Stelmach.<br />
The Catholic Sisters’ Legacy<br />
Recognition Project is being led by<br />
Covenant Health in collaboration<br />
with the Catholic community. The<br />
Legacy Recognition Project<br />
Ten Sisters of Providence were among the 180 Sisters<br />
who attended the Catholic Sisters’ Legacy Recognition<br />
Project in Albera. SP’s from Kingston and Alberta stand<br />
beneath the 10 foot statue called Service Through Christ<br />
monument was funded by donations<br />
from various organizations and<br />
individuals.<br />
“They taught school, fed the hungry,<br />
visited the distraught, housed<br />
orphans and tended the sick. These<br />
5<br />
were no small tasks when you<br />
consider how little they had and<br />
how primitive conditions were,”<br />
says Gordon Self, Executive Sponsor<br />
of the Catholic Sisters’ Legacy<br />
Recognition Project.<br />
Over 70 orders of Sisters have<br />
served in Alberta in the past<br />
150 years, including the Sisters<br />
of Providence, Kingston, who<br />
first arrived in Alberta in 1908,<br />
to open Providence Hospital in<br />
Daysland. The first were three<br />
Sisters of Charity of Montreal<br />
(Grey Nuns) who arrived in<br />
Lac St. Anne, September 24,<br />
1859.<br />
Local artist Herman Poulin<br />
from St. Paul, Alberta was<br />
commissioned to create the<br />
Catholic Sisters’ Legacy<br />
Recognition monument, Service<br />
Through Christ. For Poulin, the<br />
project brought him back to his<br />
childhood and stirred feelings of<br />
gratitude.<br />
“To work on the Sisters’ project is<br />
an honour. It is full circle for me.”<br />
says Herman. “In my primary<br />
school years, it was the Sisters who<br />
helped me discover my talent as a<br />
young artist. They called it a gift.<br />
Today, it is my turn to honour and<br />
respect my mentors.”<br />
The 10 ft bronze statue of a Sister<br />
holding a piece of stained glass<br />
stands on a pedestal engraved with<br />
the names of the religious orders of<br />
Sisters who served in Alberta. The<br />
bronze figure moves through a<br />
foundation pillar<br />
and incorporates<br />
a<br />
crucifix<br />
around<br />
her neck,<br />
which<br />
Poulin<br />
defines as the<br />
source of her inner<br />
strength and purpose.<br />
“Her movement exudes service”<br />
says Poulin. The figure in traditional<br />
dress strides forward, one heel up.<br />
“The flow of her long dress and her<br />
apron symbolize many tasks to do.”
BY DIANNE BRENNEN<br />
West<br />
From the opening words of<br />
General Superior Sister<br />
Sandra Shannon to the final<br />
group hug, the Western Fall Gathering<br />
was a time for all of the Sisters<br />
to unpack the new directional<br />
statements of the Chapter held last<br />
April. Reminiscing of the prechapter,<br />
the chapter itself and now<br />
the movement forward with our two<br />
statements showed us how much we<br />
have grown as a group. This brought<br />
hope for the future.<br />
Sisters gather at the Western Fall Gathering<br />
in late September.<br />
During the September 29th to<br />
October 1st gathering, we were also<br />
brought up to date on other key<br />
events including plans for renovations<br />
at Providence Motherhouse in<br />
Kingston, an update on negotiations<br />
with regard to Rosary Hall and<br />
Covenant Health, and an update on<br />
any Sisters in the east who had been<br />
ill.<br />
Unfortunately the Associates who<br />
planned to attend the Fall Gathering<br />
were unable to show up for supper<br />
and the opening on Thursday<br />
evening.<br />
Realizing that the number of Sisters<br />
in the West are now down to a little<br />
more than a handful, it was decided<br />
by the group that this would be the<br />
last Western Fall Gathering. It just<br />
makes more sense for the Sisters<br />
here to go East.<br />
East<br />
Sr. Sandra Shannon, General Superior,<br />
offered the opening address at<br />
the Eastern Fall Gathering.<br />
An excerpt appears here.<br />
Fall Gathering<br />
“Traditionally there is some reflection<br />
given at the opening of the Fall<br />
Gathering. I struggled with “What<br />
will I share.” Well the word LOVE<br />
kept popping up here and there.<br />
Last Sunday the readings – You shall<br />
6<br />
love the Lord your God with all<br />
your heart, etc.; You shall love your<br />
neighbor, etc. Monday’s Prayer after<br />
Communion – “May the new life<br />
you give us increase our love and<br />
keep us in the joy of your kingdom.”<br />
Tuesday – Father Gazeley’s<br />
homily about doing little things for<br />
one another in love. Directional<br />
Statement I says “being educated in<br />
love by prayer (St. Vincent).”<br />
So I thought I would go with the<br />
theme of LOVE. St. John, apparently,<br />
every time he was asked to<br />
address the early church, would<br />
stand up and say “Love one another”<br />
and sit down. Now if I were<br />
St. John, I’d stop now but since I’m<br />
not, I’ll say a little more.<br />
Like St. John, I say “Love one another.”<br />
About a month ago while attending<br />
the unveiling of the statue<br />
of a sister and while at the Mass<br />
celebrating the Legacy of the Sisters<br />
in Alberta, I reflected not only about<br />
our present Sisters and Associates<br />
and what you are doing to bring<br />
about the reign of God in our time<br />
but also about those who have gone<br />
before us, our ancestors. Those<br />
Sisters who have left us the beautiful<br />
legacy we have – our congregation,<br />
the Associate Program and most<br />
importantly our Mission – the<br />
reason we exist and the reason for<br />
which we continue to strive to exist.<br />
Walking into the light we continue<br />
to love the Gospel and bring its<br />
message into our reality. Thus the<br />
importance of our Directional<br />
Statements. They are the road maps<br />
which tell us with whom and in<br />
what direction we are to place our<br />
love and how we are to live out our<br />
love.<br />
Participants at Eastern Fall Gathering.<br />
Sr. Sandra Shannon, General Superior, gives<br />
the opening address.
BY KRISTINA JELLEMA/<br />
<strong>PROVIDENCE</strong> CARE<br />
In celebration of the 150th<br />
anniversary of Providence<br />
Care, two volunteers have taken<br />
the initiative to create five commemorative<br />
quilts.<br />
One will be gifted to the Sisters of<br />
Providence of St. Vincent de Paul<br />
during a special Mass at Providence<br />
Manor in late November. The<br />
others will be given to PC’s Mental<br />
Health Services, Providence Manor<br />
and St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital.<br />
Each of these four quilts visually<br />
capture and chronicle the buildings’<br />
progression over time.<br />
The fifth and final quilt created the<br />
opportunity for Providence Care<br />
staff to actively participate in marking<br />
this anniversary year. Staff,<br />
patients, clients and residents were<br />
encouraged to collaborate with<br />
others to complete a square<br />
representing their department or<br />
area. This team effort resulted in 96<br />
eclectic and creative squares<br />
highlighting their dedication to<br />
Providence Care’s mission, vision<br />
and values.<br />
Fran Cooney, Housekeeping Service<br />
Manager for Providence Care,<br />
Mental Health Services, and her<br />
long-time friend, Linda Miller,<br />
Tapestry Timeline<br />
7<br />
offered their quilting skills and time<br />
to this project. At a Providence Care<br />
staff forum in late 2010, staff were<br />
encouraged to suggest ideas on how<br />
they would like to celebrate<br />
Photo: Jenn Goodwin<br />
A Providence Care staff member and her long-time friend have created five quilts to<br />
celebrate Providence Care’s 150th Anniversary. One of these quilts will be gifted to<br />
the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul later at a special event November 23.<br />
Providence Care’s 150th anniversary.<br />
Fran immediately expressed interest<br />
in creating a commemorative quilt.<br />
After developing the idea, and<br />
speaking with Linda, the quilter for<br />
the project, the pair agreed to<br />
create five commemorative quilts.<br />
Just nine months later, the set of<br />
expressive quilts was completed.<br />
“We are very excited to present the<br />
quilt to the Sisters of Providence<br />
and see their reaction,” said Fran.<br />
“The hundreds of hours of time<br />
put into completing these quilts will<br />
be worth it.”<br />
The quilt for the Sisters of<br />
Providence of St. Vincent de Paul<br />
will be unveiled on Wednesday,<br />
November 23, at 2 p.m. at<br />
Providence Care’s special<br />
anniversary service to be held at<br />
Our Mother of Sorrows Chapel at<br />
Providence Manor.<br />
The remaining four quilts will be<br />
presented at staff forums during<br />
Founder’s Week in December.
Healing Tree<br />
BY CHRISTINE ROSS<br />
Nancy Stevens is trained<br />
in fine arts and<br />
photography — gifts she<br />
repeatedly shares with Sisters in her<br />
care on the infirmary wing of<br />
Providence Motherhouse. Her latest<br />
project now hangs on display by the<br />
nursing station on Marian II.<br />
Called the Healing Tree, the large<br />
painted tree features 18 leaves; one<br />
for each Sister on Marian II. At the<br />
base of the trunk, a string holds the<br />
prayer petitions and special intentions<br />
written on leaves by both<br />
Sisters and staff.<br />
Every Sister on Marian II created<br />
the large art piece including leaf<br />
cutting and painting.<br />
Some of the intentions ask for<br />
prayers for specific events or people.<br />
Others simply hold one name.<br />
Nancy wrote her own intention,<br />
revealing her trademark sense of<br />
humour. It reads, “Special intention<br />
for Nancy to find love someday.”<br />
She stressed the need for laughter<br />
among this close knit group of<br />
Sisters and staff on the second<br />
Sister Irene MacDonell and Nancy Stevens at the Healing Tree shortly after it was displayed<br />
in August. A plaque hangs beside the tree that reads in part, Trees have been<br />
looked upon as a source of wisdom and healing. We hope that our Healing Tree here<br />
at the Motherhouse enhances the mission of Providence and helps to make visible the<br />
compassionate presence of God.<br />
floor.<br />
“We’ve experienced the loss of<br />
some of our dear Sisters this year<br />
and others are gravely ill,” says<br />
Nancy.<br />
Accompanying a Sister to a hospital<br />
appointment, Nancy was impressed<br />
by a similar healing tree blooming in<br />
the lobby. Within weeks, Nancy<br />
organized her crafty group and<br />
8<br />
adapted the tree to become more<br />
interactive.<br />
“The activities on this floor have<br />
become more non-active with our<br />
aging Sisters,” says Nancy. “This tree<br />
doesn’t just hang on the wall, it<br />
invites Sisters to visit and reflect.”<br />
“I think the healing tree is a grand<br />
idea,” says Sister Peggy Flanagan<br />
who knows all too well the power of<br />
Sister Loretto Boland, a gifted artist, paints one of<br />
the 18 leaves.<br />
prayers and special intentions. Sr.<br />
Peggy is currently receiving<br />
chemotherapy for recurrent cancer.<br />
“I plan to add a teal coloured leaf to<br />
the healing tree – teal is the colour<br />
for ovarian cancer survivors. I am<br />
just so very edified by the dedication<br />
of our staff. You help to keep us<br />
true to our motto, Trust in<br />
Providence and walk in hope.
NDP candidate Mary Rita Holland<br />
answers questions from Sister Anna<br />
Moran.<br />
The other three candidates wait their<br />
turn to speak l to r: Liberal John<br />
Gerretsen, Green Robert Kiley and<br />
Conservative Rodger James.<br />
Election candidates from the<br />
four major provincial political<br />
parties spoke to a group of<br />
Sisters of Providence before the<br />
October 6th election. They<br />
fielded questions about healthcare<br />
and disease prevention,<br />
poverty and home care for<br />
seniors. The candidates also<br />
addressed affordable housing,<br />
green energy and education.<br />
BY BRIDGET DOHERTY<br />
ACanadian company plans to<br />
build a pipeline from<br />
Alberta’s Tar Sands to<br />
Texas. If approved by both the<br />
Canadian and American governments,<br />
the pipeline would transport<br />
diluted bitumen, a mixture of oil and<br />
sand.<br />
Environmentalists, farmers, and<br />
affected communities are all<br />
concerned that this mixture, which<br />
includes cancer causing benzene and<br />
toxic heavy metals may end up<br />
spilling into ground water thereby<br />
polluting precious drinking water and<br />
aquifers. The company argues that<br />
there is no such risk even though a<br />
pipeline leaked more than one million<br />
gallons of diluted bitumen into<br />
Michigan’s Kalamazoo River in July<br />
2010.<br />
Other concerns include an increase<br />
in the Tar Sands production adding<br />
to the already destructive environmental<br />
and social consequences<br />
experienced in Alberta. This increase<br />
will accelerate climate change causing<br />
more carbon dioxide gases to be<br />
Say No to Tar Sands<br />
released into the earth’s atmosphere.<br />
Instead of reducing our emissions<br />
and protecting God’s creation our<br />
country will be implicit in risking the<br />
future of many generations to come.<br />
Canadians and Americans who care<br />
for the integrity of creation have responded<br />
by arranging protest “sit<br />
ins” where supporters are asked to sit<br />
in acts of peaceful civil disobedience.<br />
A “sit-in” organized by Ottawa<br />
Action took place on Parliament Hill<br />
September 26th.<br />
The JPIC office of the Sisters of<br />
Providence, the Kingston & District<br />
Labour Council and the Ontario Secondary<br />
School Teacher’s Federation<br />
(OSSTF) sponsored a bus to give<br />
Kingstonians an opportunity to<br />
support this day of action. Sisters of<br />
Providence Shirley Morris and Susan<br />
Pye, along with JPIC staff Tara<br />
Kainer and Bridget Doherty<br />
attended. They were joined by Sr.<br />
Maureen Killoran, CND, Ottawa,<br />
Monica Lampton, CND, JPIC Staff<br />
Montreal and Kingston MP Ted Hsu.<br />
Many Sisters supported the day with<br />
prayers.<br />
9<br />
Photos: Tara Kainer<br />
Sisters of Providence Shirley Morris and<br />
Susan Pye attend the Ottawa sit-in.<br />
Two giant syringes with the words “TAR<br />
SANDS, CANADA’S CARBON BOMB”<br />
represent our addiction to oil. It carries the<br />
dire warning that if we don’t act now to<br />
reduce our dependancy on oil, we will<br />
overdose.
Liturgy Schedule<br />
Incarnational Cycle<br />
2011-2012<br />
Building a New World in God’s Steadfast Love<br />
Saturday, November 26 6:30 p.m. Evening Prayer<br />
Sunday, November 27 10:00 a.m. 1st Sunday of Advent<br />
Sunday, December 4 10:00 a.m. 2nd Sunday of Advent<br />
Sunday, December 11 10:00 a.m. 3rd Sunday of Advent<br />
Sunday, December 18 10:00 a.m. 4th Sunday of Advent<br />
Tuesday, December 20 6:30 p.m. Sacrament of Reconciliation<br />
Saturday, December 24 7:00 p.m. Vigil of Christmas<br />
Followed by refreshments<br />
Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. Nativity of the Lord<br />
Sunday, January 1 10:00 a.m. Mary, Mother of God<br />
Friday, January 6<br />
Day of Eucharistic Devotion<br />
Sunday, January 8 10:00 a.m. Epiphany of the Lord<br />
10
BY ALBERT DUNN<br />
Liturgy - Revisions to Missal<br />
More than 80 Sisters,<br />
Associates, Motherhouse<br />
liturgical ministers and<br />
staff gathered on Tuesday, October<br />
4 for an information session regarding<br />
the coming revision of the<br />
Roman Missal (the book of rites<br />
used for Mass and other liturgies<br />
such as Good Friday) and its<br />
accompanying General Instruction,<br />
the document explaining the<br />
Missal’s practical implementation.<br />
The presentation was given by<br />
Fr. John Hibbard and sponsored by<br />
the Congregational Liturgy Committee.<br />
Fr. Hibbard is chair of both the<br />
Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission<br />
and the National Council for<br />
Liturgy, a committee of the<br />
Canadian Conference of Catholic<br />
Bishops. He is also a past director of<br />
the National Liturgy Office.<br />
A revised edition of the Roman<br />
Missal was issued by the Holy See<br />
(Rome) in 2002. The English<br />
translation of Roman Missal has<br />
been completed. This revised<br />
Roman Missal will introduce a new<br />
Fr. John Hibbard reviews the upcoming<br />
revisions to the Roman Missal.<br />
translation of the Mass for all<br />
English-speaking Catholics throughout<br />
the world and revised directions<br />
for celebration. This will affect the<br />
spoken prayers and sung parts of<br />
the Mass.<br />
Fr. Hibbard first reviewed the<br />
history of the revision process,<br />
moving on to such matters such as<br />
translation principles, scriptural<br />
references and ritual language, all of<br />
which have had considerable<br />
influence on the final texts.<br />
Sr. Frances O’Brien expressed<br />
appreciation on behalf of all<br />
present, noting that times of<br />
transition can challenge us.<br />
She said that hopefully<br />
Fr. Hibbard’s thoughtful<br />
presentation will help us<br />
all through this challenging<br />
time.<br />
The Third Edition of the<br />
Roman Missal will be implemented<br />
on the First Sunday of Advent,<br />
November 27, 2011. Further<br />
information and resources<br />
are available on the website<br />
of the Archidiocese of Kingston.<br />
www.romancatholic.kingston.on.ca<br />
Season’s Greetings<br />
2011<br />
The 2011 Christmas greeting card.<br />
Cover art by Sr. Margaret Mary Lines.<br />
January 1973.<br />
11
BY SISTERS GAYLE DESARMIA AND<br />
FRANCES O’BRIEN<br />
Gayle Desarmia and<br />
Frances O’Brien had the<br />
privilege of participating<br />
in the annual assembly of the<br />
Leadership Conference of Women<br />
Religious being held in Garden<br />
Grove, California from August 9-12.<br />
The theme of the assembly was<br />
“Mystery Unfolding: Religious Life<br />
for the World”.<br />
The morning that the conference<br />
opened we had opportunity to visit<br />
the exhibit, “Women & Spirit:<br />
Catholic Sisters in America” which<br />
illustrates how sisters played a vital<br />
role in shaping American life from<br />
the earliest days right up to the<br />
present. This exhibit has been<br />
travelling across the United States<br />
for a couple of years.<br />
One of the keynote speakers,<br />
Barbara E. Reid, OP, presented a<br />
biblical reflection entitled<br />
“Embodying Holy Mystery” in<br />
which she addressed the mystery of<br />
God revealed in Creation, the<br />
mystery of God beyond gender and<br />
the mystery of death as birth pangs<br />
of hope. While it appears that<br />
religious life as we know it is dying,<br />
she challenged us to be hopeful and<br />
joy-filled for what<br />
is in the process of<br />
being birthed by<br />
Holy Mystery.<br />
Maricarmen<br />
Bracamontes, OSB<br />
after reviewing the<br />
signs of the times,<br />
challenged women<br />
religious to live<br />
with a profound<br />
faith that will bring<br />
forth new life.<br />
Over the course of<br />
the three days we<br />
engaged in a contemplative process<br />
and conversation. We sat<br />
together in silence discovering what<br />
God is calling forth for religious life<br />
today. The work is God’s and we are<br />
available for it.<br />
In the presidential address Mary<br />
Hughes, OP, addressed the hurt that<br />
women religious in the United States<br />
Mystery Unfolding<br />
experienced because of the<br />
Doctrinal Assessment by the<br />
Congregation for the Doctrine of<br />
the Faith and the Apostolic<br />
Visitation by the Congregation for<br />
Institutes of<br />
Consecrated Life<br />
and Societies of<br />
Apostolic Life<br />
(CICLSAL). She<br />
said that from<br />
these experiences<br />
we have learned<br />
to forgive those<br />
who brought<br />
about the suffering.<br />
Forgiveness<br />
requires us to<br />
abandon our right<br />
to resentment,<br />
being agents of reconciliation, letting<br />
go of negative attachment to<br />
hurt.<br />
One highlight of our time in<br />
Garden Grove was joining with 38<br />
other Women of Providence in<br />
Collaboration for a meal together.<br />
There was a special session of<br />
sharing by sisters whose<br />
congregations have engaged in<br />
re-founding/revitalizing and<br />
obtained some new ideas for<br />
application to our own reality,<br />
re-casting ourselves from being<br />
workers to being catalysts.<br />
We were personally revitalized by<br />
the positive energy, the hope, the<br />
creativity, the enthusiasm, the<br />
commitment to birthing the new<br />
thing of the 650 congregational<br />
leaders who participated in this<br />
assembly.<br />
The DVDs of the assembly are<br />
available in the Electa Resource<br />
Centre.<br />
Donations always accepted<br />
12
BY MARIE MCCARTNEY<br />
AND DIANNE DUTCHER<br />
Our Providence Associates<br />
Annual General Meeting<br />
was held at Providence<br />
Spirituality Centre on September 30,<br />
2011.<br />
Prior to the 6:30 p.m. Call to Order<br />
and Welcome, our Associates and<br />
Sisters posed for a group<br />
photo taken on the PSC<br />
staircase.<br />
Mercy, who gave a presentation on<br />
Communal Discernment. We should<br />
be listening, understanding (seeking),<br />
remembering (dreaming) and<br />
then acting (make a choice). This<br />
was a wonderful presentation and<br />
many of us will be seeking out the<br />
DVD “Of Gods and Men” to<br />
further our knowledge of communal<br />
discernment.<br />
Associates<br />
was unanimously accepted by everyone<br />
present. Sister Brenda gave us<br />
instructions on the “World Café”<br />
and we shared ideas on how we<br />
could bring this challenging Mission<br />
Statement to life when we return to<br />
our groups.<br />
family, friends, Associates and Sisters.<br />
Sheila said she felt accepted, inspired<br />
and united by the charism of<br />
the Sisters of Providence. She can<br />
now live out this charism of compassionate<br />
service, trusting in Providence<br />
and walking in Hope.<br />
Our evening began with a<br />
beautiful prayer, “A Time<br />
of Happy Transition”<br />
(adapted from a Joyce Rupp<br />
poem) and prepared by the<br />
Catalpa Group. What a<br />
wonderful way to invite the<br />
Inquirers to Candidacy!<br />
Sister Gayle Desarmia, council<br />
Liaison, welcomed Doris Lomboy<br />
and gave her a small token to mark<br />
this important occasion. Barbara<br />
Baker accepted the token on behalf<br />
of Jane Hayes, who was unable to<br />
attend.<br />
Barbara Baker introduced our facilitator<br />
Brenda Peddigrew, Sister of<br />
On Saturday morning the AGEM<br />
began with the inspirational Mantra,<br />
“Open to You” by Joyce Rupp and a<br />
prayer prepared by the Rainbow<br />
Group. Sister Brenda Peddigrew<br />
worked with all present and helped<br />
us to understand that we would<br />
“grow into” our Mission Statement.<br />
The Associate Mission Statement<br />
The Chapel of Mary Mother of<br />
Compassion was a beautiful setting<br />
for the Commitment Ceremony of<br />
Sheila LaRush as she made her commitment<br />
as a Providence Associate<br />
of the Sisters of Providence of St.<br />
Vincent de Paul. The ceremony was<br />
celebrated within the Liturgy of the<br />
Hours. Sheila was surrounded by<br />
Photo: Joe Demedeiros<br />
Sheila LaRush makes her Commitment<br />
as a Providence Associate.<br />
Photo: Joe Demedeiros<br />
Participants at the AGEM.<br />
l to r: Elizabeth Cowperthwaite,<br />
Barbara Baker, Dianne Dutcher and<br />
Sr. Judith Lee<br />
13
BY SISTER CATHERINE CANNON<br />
NACAR Workshop on the Ins and Outs of<br />
Associate Formation<br />
Sister Catherine Cannon, Associates<br />
Barbara Baker and Cathy Bryan<br />
attended the NACAR Professional<br />
Development Workshop for Associate<br />
Directors held June 10-12, 2011,<br />
in the Providence Spirituality Centre,<br />
Kingston, Ontario. Facilitators<br />
were Carol Gariano and Mary Jo<br />
Mersmann.<br />
News from Camrose<br />
Feb. 14, 2011 — A mid-winter bake<br />
sale for Peruvian Missions was<br />
organized by Providence Associates<br />
with assistance of the C.W.L. and<br />
St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary and<br />
staff. Sr. Bernadine Bokenfohr and<br />
Debbie Muise spoke to these<br />
groups about mission and its needs.<br />
The amount raised was $5480.00.<br />
Funds were used to build the emergency<br />
evacuation stairs<br />
needed at the school.<br />
Associates<br />
Back row l - r: Audrey Heck, Miriam Hanoski , Connie Prost, Sr. Bernadine<br />
Bokenfohr Front Row l - r: Kathy Liebel, Sr. Rose Marie Bokenfohr, Debbie<br />
Muise, Bernice Schlunt-Macfarlane<br />
NACAR workshop participants.<br />
Topics included: Inquiry and Application<br />
Process, Interviewing, Ritual<br />
of Welcome and Commitment,<br />
Formation and Initial Integration,<br />
Discernment, and Withdrawal and<br />
Termination. This excellent<br />
workshop was well worth the time.<br />
April 1, 2011 — Sister<br />
Rose Marie Bokenfohr<br />
missionary Sister from<br />
Peru, spoke to the Associates<br />
about the Mission<br />
and thanked them<br />
for their donation. Part<br />
of the bake sale funds<br />
were given to Sr. Rose<br />
Marie who operates a health clinic<br />
for the sick and those needing<br />
assistance with medications.<br />
14<br />
June 6, 2011— Sister Patricia Amyot<br />
facilitated a Retreat for the<br />
Associates with a focus on Joyce<br />
Rupp’s book “Cup of Life”. The<br />
various forms of prayer used by Sr.<br />
Pat during the prayer periods were<br />
much appreciated.<br />
Associate Pat Niehaus provided<br />
hospitality in her beautiful Camrose<br />
home. A delicious lunch was<br />
enjoyed by all.<br />
The day left everyone spiritually<br />
renewed and uplifted by the spirit<br />
of the group.
Mission Statement<br />
We,<br />
the Providence<br />
Associates,<br />
are inspired and united by the<br />
Charism, Spirituality, and Mission of<br />
the Sisters of Providence<br />
of St. Vincent de Paul.<br />
Trusting in God’s<br />
Providence, we are<br />
committed to strengthening<br />
our common call to<br />
compassionate service.<br />
In responding to God’s call,<br />
we are present to our family,<br />
neighours and all of<br />
creation through<br />
relationships which<br />
are authentic, trusting,<br />
meaningful, respectful<br />
and creative.<br />
Associates<br />
In Memoriam<br />
BY SR. CATHERINE CANNON<br />
Lorne Willard Hankinson,<br />
dearly beloved husband of<br />
Elsie Hankinson, was called<br />
home to God in Brantford on May<br />
22, 2011 in his 86th year.<br />
Lorne together with his wife Elsie<br />
made their commitment as<br />
Associates of the Sisters<br />
of Providence of St.<br />
Vincent de Paul on<br />
September 10, 1992.<br />
Lorne’s fellow associates<br />
describe him as a<br />
fine Christian gentleman,<br />
conscientious in<br />
all undertakings, generous<br />
and possessing exceptional<br />
leadership skills.<br />
He was a faithful member<br />
of St. Pius X Parish in<br />
Brantford serving for many years as<br />
coordinator of Ministers of the<br />
Word. He organized the St. Vincent<br />
de Paul Society and served as President<br />
of Brant County Particular<br />
Lorne Willard Hankinson<br />
Council of St. Vincent de Paul.<br />
He worked in close contact with the<br />
Sisters of Providence assisting them<br />
in their work with refugee families.<br />
He was awarded the Bishop’s medal<br />
for dedicated service to Parish and<br />
Diocese.<br />
Lorne expressed well his deep faith<br />
in corresponding to the Director<br />
of Providence Associates.<br />
He wrote, “I<br />
will continue in my efforts<br />
to assist those<br />
less fortunate than<br />
myself. I will assist<br />
and support the<br />
refugee families. I will<br />
live and regulate my life<br />
to the best of my ability<br />
in caring for my fellow<br />
human beings.”<br />
May he rest in peace.<br />
15
Vocation / Formation News<br />
There is surely a future hope for<br />
you, and your hope will not be cut off.<br />
— Proverbs 23:18<br />
continuing her discernment with the<br />
help of a spiritual director. Let us<br />
pray for this gifted and highly<br />
educated woman who is attracted to<br />
ministering to the marginalized of<br />
our society.<br />
And the one who was seated on the<br />
throne said, “See, I am making all things<br />
new.” — Rev. 21:5<br />
We can be awake and watchful<br />
for resurrections, for the creative ways that<br />
new life streams even in the midst of<br />
death. — Judy Cannato<br />
BY SISTERS BARBARA THIFFAULT<br />
AND LUCY KEARNEY<br />
During the last several<br />
months we have been in<br />
contact with a mature<br />
young woman from Kitchener,<br />
Ontario who, after doing a search<br />
on the internet, has expressed an<br />
interest in our Congregation. At her<br />
request, she spent two days, June 11<br />
and 12, at the Motherhouse meeting<br />
with Sisters Nancy Wilson, Lucy<br />
Kearney and Barbara Thiffault<br />
because she felt attracted to our<br />
charism and ministries. Because she<br />
is discerning a possible call to<br />
religious life, she wanted to meet<br />
our Sisters to gain more insight into<br />
our lived experience. Since her visit<br />
in June, she has continued to remain<br />
in contact with us on a regular basis.<br />
At the present time she is seriously<br />
Holy Cross Students Visit<br />
Motherhouse<br />
Ten grade 9 to 12 students and two<br />
staff members from the Social<br />
Action Club at Holy Cross Catholic<br />
Secondary School, Kingston visited<br />
the Motherhouse on October 3rd.<br />
Following a short presentation on<br />
our Congregation and an explanation<br />
of the Volunteer Program, the<br />
students visited Marian II in<br />
anticipation of becoming volunteers.<br />
The interaction between the<br />
students and the Sisters has inspired<br />
some of the senior students to<br />
become volunteers at the<br />
Motherhouse.<br />
Inter-Congregational Vocation<br />
Committee<br />
The regular meetings of the Inter-<br />
Congregational Committee have<br />
continued with planning for various<br />
activities. Representatives from the<br />
Committee attended the Algonquin<br />
and Lakeshore Catholic District<br />
School Board system wide Community<br />
Faith Day on October 24th in<br />
Belleville. We provided a display<br />
consistent with and supportive of<br />
Catholic education.<br />
On October 16th three members of<br />
the Committee in response to an<br />
invitation from St. John’s Parish,<br />
Gananoque participated in the<br />
parish retreat. Their presentation on<br />
the “Call to Discipleship” in keeping<br />
with their theme, “Come Follow<br />
Me”, was well received.<br />
Diocesan Joint Vocation<br />
Committee<br />
The insights gained from the collaboration<br />
of the laity, clergy and religious<br />
are invaluable in our efforts to<br />
build a culture of vocation. Among<br />
other activities the Committee is<br />
exploring the possibility of holding<br />
a Vocation Fair in one of the<br />
parishes.<br />
16
BY SISTER LUCY BETHEL<br />
It is in a spirit of gratitude that<br />
we say our farewell to Beverley<br />
McDonald as she retires from<br />
her ministry as Director of<br />
Providence Spirituality Centre for<br />
the past eight years.<br />
We are grateful for Beverley’s:<br />
• Wholehearted commitment to this<br />
ministry of the Sisters of Providence<br />
of Saint Vincent de Paul.<br />
• Faithfulness to the Church and the<br />
people of God.<br />
• Respect for all people and for all<br />
of God’s Creation.<br />
We have seen this in her tireless efforts<br />
and determination to seek out<br />
‘top-notch’ retreat directors and<br />
presenters, committed to issues of<br />
justice and peace and up-to-date on<br />
ecological and environmental issues<br />
of the day.<br />
Beverley has been respectful of and<br />
faithful to the charism and mission<br />
of the Sisters of Providence of<br />
Saint Vincent de Paul and we thank<br />
her.<br />
Beverley’s delightful sense of<br />
humour, her contagious laughter<br />
and her joyful spirit have been gift<br />
for those of us who had the privilege<br />
to work closely with her and a<br />
blessing for all who visited our<br />
Centre.<br />
We wish Beverley well and a “Happy<br />
Retirement! ” We are grateful for her<br />
dedication and leadership during<br />
these past eight years. Beverley will<br />
be greatly missed by all of us.<br />
Beverley McDonald<br />
PSC Director retires<br />
BY CHRISTINE ROSS<br />
Some gifted poets at<br />
Providence Motherhouse are<br />
being recognized for their<br />
creative prose. Poems written by<br />
Anna Moran, a Sister of Providence<br />
and Tara Kainer of the Justice,<br />
Peace and Integrity of Creation<br />
Office, were published in the<br />
Kingston Whig Standard as part of<br />
a poetry writing contest called<br />
In Your Own Words.<br />
Motherhouse Poets<br />
Mystery so mystifies this mind of mine,<br />
Proposing problems of such perplexing kind<br />
That rest within the womb of a war torn world<br />
Awaiting wisdom<br />
— Sr. Anna Moran<br />
Kingston residents were asked to<br />
send short poems (haiku, couplet,<br />
free verse.) Sr. Anna and Tara made<br />
an impression on Poet Laureate<br />
Eric Folsom who selected the<br />
poems for publication.<br />
Sr. Anna began writing poetry only<br />
a decade ago. Tara Kainer pubished<br />
her first book of poetry ealier this<br />
year.<br />
Why are they denied these gestures<br />
beyond the self, symbols<br />
like beacons in the night<br />
— Tara Kainer<br />
17
BY SISTER BARBARA THIFFAULT<br />
Sister Rose Mary Ryan<br />
(Theresa Doris Ryan) was<br />
born on December 17, 1929<br />
in Picton, Ontario, one of nine children<br />
of Jane Gannon and William<br />
Ryan. She was blessed with a twin<br />
sister, Dorothy Sarah, Sister Rose<br />
Anne. She grew up in a very happy<br />
family home which was located outside<br />
the town of Picton. She attended<br />
St. Gregory’s Catholic<br />
Elementary School and Picton High<br />
School for grade nine. She then attended<br />
Notre Dame High School in<br />
Kingston for one year. During the<br />
summers of 1944 and 1945 she<br />
worked at St. Vincent de Paul Hospital<br />
in Brockville where she enjoyed<br />
her experience of working with the<br />
Sisters. She had already met the Sisters<br />
of Providence of St. Vincent de<br />
Paul in Picton when she was in<br />
grade eight at the time of the<br />
Sisters’ arrival there to teach. Sister<br />
Mary Berna (Mary LeSage) had been<br />
her teacher. The Sisters’ spirit of joy<br />
helped her to make her decision to<br />
enter religious life.<br />
She and her twin sister, Dorothy<br />
Sara, Sister Rose Anne, entered the<br />
novitiate of the Sisters of Providence<br />
of St. Vincent de Paul in<br />
Kingston, Ontario, on August 15,<br />
1946. Sister spent many years as<br />
housekeeper and cook in<br />
Maryvale Abbey,<br />
Glen Nevis, St.<br />
Michael’s Convent,<br />
Belleville,<br />
St. Mark’s Convent,<br />
Prescott<br />
and St. John’s<br />
Convent,<br />
Perth. She<br />
spent two years<br />
at St. Joseph’s<br />
Vocational School<br />
in Winnipeg as Assistant<br />
Supervisor of<br />
the boys, a ministry she<br />
enjoyed. In 1969 she graduated with<br />
honours from St. Mary’s School of<br />
Nursing, Montreal as a Registered<br />
Nurse. After four years of general<br />
duty nursing at St. Mary’s Hospital<br />
which were very happy years for her,<br />
she was assigned to Providence<br />
Manor in Kingston as supervisor<br />
In Memoriam<br />
18<br />
and general duty nurse. In 1974 she<br />
went to St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital,<br />
Kingston to begin and develop<br />
the first Medical Day Hospital Program<br />
in Ontario. She remained there<br />
until August 1986 and then had a<br />
sabbatical year at Galilee in<br />
Arnprior. On her return<br />
from her sabbatical in<br />
1987 she began a<br />
new career with the<br />
Nursing Registry<br />
in Kingston. This<br />
involved doing<br />
private duty nursing<br />
for dying people<br />
in their homes.<br />
This was night work<br />
within the city of<br />
Kingston as well as in<br />
the surrounding area. She<br />
enjoyed this work and felt<br />
privileged to be with the dying and<br />
their families. In 1988 she was asked<br />
to go to Gabriel Home to work with<br />
the young unwed expectant mothers.<br />
Following this ministry she was<br />
asked to work at the Loretta Hospitality<br />
Centre to oversee and help<br />
prepare a hot noon meal for those<br />
in need. Sister Rose Mary remained<br />
in this ministry until ill health necessitated<br />
her withdrawal. She was<br />
called home to her loving God at<br />
Providence Motherhouse, Kingston,<br />
Ontario, on August 18, 2011. Sister<br />
Rose Mary is predeceased by her<br />
parents, her sisters, Loretta Gunn,<br />
Mary and Jean and her brothers,<br />
Thomas, Vincent, Daniel, Leo and<br />
James. Sister is survived by her twin<br />
sister, Sister Rose Anne Ryan of the<br />
Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent<br />
de Paul of Kingston. She will be<br />
fondly remembered by her sister,<br />
relatives, and friends and by the<br />
members of her religious community.<br />
The Mass of Christian Burial,<br />
held in the Chapel of Mary Mother<br />
of Compassion, Providence<br />
Motherhouse on August 22, was<br />
presided over by Friar Edward<br />
Debono, OFM Conv. Msgr. Don<br />
Clement was the homilist.<br />
Sister Rose Mary Ryan<br />
December 17, 1929 —<br />
August 18, 2011
BY SISTER BARBARA THIFFAULT<br />
Joan Wing was born on April 30,<br />
1922 in Gananoque, Ontario,<br />
the youngest of five children of<br />
Elizabeth Corboy and<br />
William J. Wing. She received her<br />
education at St. John’s Separate<br />
School and Gananoque High<br />
School. In 1943 she graduated as a<br />
registered nurse from St. Joseph’s<br />
School of Nursing at Hotel Dieu<br />
Hospital in Kingston. The following<br />
year on August 15th she entered the<br />
novitiate of the Sisters of Providence<br />
of St. Vincent de Paul in<br />
Kingston. At her First Profession<br />
she received the name Sister Mary<br />
Michael.<br />
Following her First Profession in<br />
1946, Sister went to St. Francis Hospital<br />
in Smiths Falls as the Operating<br />
Room Supervisor. In 1953 she did<br />
post graduate studies in Operating<br />
Room Nursing at Jersey City Medical<br />
Centre in Jersey City and took a<br />
course in Operating Room Technique<br />
at the Regina General Hospital<br />
in 1961. From 1959 until 1963<br />
she was at Providence Hospital in<br />
Moose Jaw as the Operating Room<br />
Supervisor. From 1963 to 1982 Sister<br />
Joan was at St. Vincent de Paul<br />
Hospital in Brockville in the same<br />
capacity. The following year she enjoyed<br />
a sabbatical. During her<br />
sabbatical year she lived<br />
at St. Mary’s of the<br />
Lake and took a<br />
course in<br />
Church History<br />
at Queen’s<br />
University. At<br />
the same time<br />
she attended<br />
St. Lawrence<br />
College and<br />
took a course in<br />
interior design<br />
and decorating.<br />
Then in 1984 she became<br />
the Director of<br />
Nursing Service at Providence<br />
Manor and remained in this position<br />
until 1991 when she retired from<br />
nursing. St. Mary’s of the Lake was<br />
her last mission until the Sisters vacated<br />
the residence in April 1998.<br />
During these years she experienced<br />
much tearing down and building,<br />
In Memoriam<br />
19<br />
moving and renovating. For her it<br />
was a wonderful experience to see<br />
the new and modern facilities replace<br />
old and outdated buildings.<br />
During all this time of restructuring<br />
she met many dedicated hospital<br />
staff, medical, clergy and lay<br />
people willing and anxious<br />
to help the Sisters<br />
achieve the goal –<br />
Providence at work<br />
in our lives.<br />
In 1998 Sister Joan<br />
became the care<br />
giver and companion<br />
for her sister,<br />
Mary, who lived in<br />
the country west of<br />
Gananoque. Sister<br />
lived with Mary until<br />
Mary’s death on July 20,<br />
2003. It was at this time that Sister<br />
Joan took up residence at Providence<br />
Motherhouse.<br />
Sister Joan went home to her loving<br />
God very unexpectedly on Tuesday,<br />
August 23, 2011.<br />
Sister Joan is predeceased by her<br />
parents, her brothers, Oliver David<br />
and John William and by her sisters,<br />
Mary Wing and Elizabeth Deir. She<br />
will be fondly remembered by her<br />
nieces, nephews, and friends and by<br />
the members of her religious congregation.<br />
The Mass of Christian<br />
Burial, held in the Chapel of Mary<br />
Mother of Compassion, Providence<br />
Motherhouse on August 26, was<br />
presided over by Friar Ed Debono,<br />
OFM Conv. The homilist was Rev.<br />
Michael Reed.<br />
Sister Joan Wing<br />
April 30, 1922 — August 23, 2011
Providence Pages<br />
Mission Statement<br />
A regular publication of the Sisters of Providence of<br />
St. Vincent de Paul<br />
Editor & Director of Communications: Christine Ross<br />
Editorial Assistant: Mike Hammond<br />
Communications Advisory Committee:<br />
Sr. Sandra Shannon (liaison)<br />
Sr. Barbara Thiffault<br />
Christine Ross<br />
Mike Hammond<br />
Doreen Hoekstra<br />
Special thanks to Proof Readers:<br />
Sisters Anne Hudec<br />
Mary Joan LaFleur<br />
Gayle Desarmia<br />
For questions, comments or<br />
address changes, contact:<br />
Office of Communications<br />
Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul<br />
Providence Motherhouse<br />
Box 427, 1200 Princess Street<br />
Kingston, ON, Canada<br />
K7L 4W4<br />
613-544-4525<br />
E-mail:<br />
communications@providence.ca<br />
Web site:<br />
www.providence.ca<br />
We, the Sisters of<br />
Providence of St.<br />
Vincent de Paul, are an<br />
apostolic congregation of vowed<br />
women religious called to be<br />
channels of God’s Providence in the<br />
world through compassionate<br />
service in response to the needs of<br />
the times. Sharing our individual<br />
giftedness, we carry out diverse<br />
ministries in a spirit of humility,<br />
simplicity and charity in collaboration<br />
with others to bring about the<br />
reign of God.<br />
Our heritage is rooted in the<br />
creativity and spirituality of Vincent<br />
de Paul and Louise de Marillac, in the<br />
willingness of Emilie Gamelin to risk<br />
and trust in Providence, in the<br />
responsiveness of the Montreal<br />
Sisters of Providence to the call of<br />
Bishop E.J. Horan, as well as in the<br />
courage and pioneer spirit of Mother<br />
Mary Edward McKinley and the<br />
original members of the Kingston<br />
community.<br />
Impelled by the compassionate love<br />
of Jesus and Mary, we seek to<br />
empower others, especially the poor<br />
and oppressed, to achieve a quality of<br />
life in keeping with their human<br />
dignity. We strive to be prophetic<br />
leaders in our church and in society<br />
through the promotion of structures<br />
and relationships of equality and<br />
mutuality and through attitudes and<br />
actions for justice and peace.<br />
Strengthened by prayer, we are<br />
bonded in unity and love through<br />
our corporate mission. Serving with<br />
compassion, trusting in Providence,<br />
we walk in hope.<br />
1861 - 2011<br />
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