Meet Sister Anne Marie

The women who mentored me in all these experiences taught me that everyone is to be treated with respect and dignity.

Home was the foundation of my vocation where faith was lived, not necessarily talked about, and living in the community has given me great opportunities to express that love in ministering to others.

Meeting challenges

In 1970 Sister Mary Zimmerman asked me to open the first Hospital-based Storefront Clinic. That was a great challenge to me, and her confidence in me encouraged me to move forward. I later opened a clinic in Commerce Court, and then moved "officially" into the field of social work. I began my ministry at St. Joseph's Health Centre where I developed and implemented the Social Services Department. Following that I was the Executive Director of Rosalie Hall, a service for single mothers and their children. Living at St. Joseph's College, a women's residence for university students, gave me experience of a ministry very different from the previous ones.

Coming full circle

In my years as Dean, I was blessed to work with young women as they matured, growing into the women they would become. I moved from there to working at Village Mosaic, a seniors' centre that offered greater opportunity to work directly with people. I have come full circle - back to Morrow Park where I entered community in 1960 before the building was finished... to be local leader before we move out.

I am grateful

The women who mentored me in all these experiences taught me that everyone is to be treated with respect and dignity. They also taught me the value of collaboration with others, whether staff, agencies or volunteers. I am grateful to them, and for the many opportunities to make a difference in peoples' lives.

To read more Sisters' Stories, please see Meet A Sister