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Springs of Hope - Spring Newsletter 2013

The latest issue of Springs of Hope, the Fontbonne Ministries newsletter, is available. Topics in this issue include:
Leap of faith gives convent new life in Guelph

Globe and Mail, May 13, 2013 — The Sisters of Loretto Convent was never the architectural superstar of Catholic Hill, a collection of 19th century limestone religious and educational buildings perched high above the city of Guelph, Ont. Always a modest contrast to the ornate Church of Our Lady Immaculate, the former convent is now basking in the spotlight as the new home of the Guelph Civic Museum.
Oshawa’s Paul Dwyer High School Makes the Sisters’ Day

On May 10, 2013, the 50th anniversary celebrations of Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School came to an end with the blessing of a tribute garden; a Mass for students, staff, and guests, including the school’s founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph, in the cafetorium; a reception in the library and a dinner at the Oshawa Golf Club.
Community has always supported Comox hospital
Comox Valley Record, March 26, 2013 — St. Joseph's General Hospital was created for the community, but it was enhanced — and continues to be enhanced — by the community.
Caring for sick became habit for nuns at Comox hospital
Comox Valley Record, March 5, 2013 — St. Joseph's General Hospital is a big part of Comox Valley history — and it all started when four women came here to care for others nearly 100 years ago.
Associate Commitment Day: Examining how God accompanies, guides and sustains us throughout our lives
On Saturday, April 20, the CSJ Associates had their retreat day in the meeting room at 2’OConnor Drive for the first time.
Sewing Hope with Art at Mustard Seed
With food bank use at record highs and 10-year waiting lists for affordable housing, many Ontarians are falling through the cracks of Ontario’s social safety net — social programs  that exist to prevent poverty and help those in precarious situations. When a group of knitters discussed these problems, someone joked that they should knit a social safety net themselves, and a beautiful idea was borne.
Fontbonne Ministries Thanks its Volunteers
Over 80 people attended the Fontbonne Ministries Volunteer Appreciation Brunch on Sunday, April 28, 2013. Volunteers, staff and Sisters gathered at Mustard Seed at 791 Queen Street East. Together, they shared and socialized over a mid-day meal and celebrated another year of volunteers donating time and effort to different programs in Fontbonne Ministries.
 
After the brunch, Sister Thérèse Meunier spoke to the volunteers and thanked them for their contributions. "You exemplify the charism of the Sisters of St.
Sisters move to new home in East York
East York Observer, April 19, 2013 — Moving is never easy, but it can be particularly difficult if you decide on a new home based not only on practicality — but also on some key values.
Multicultural night raises funds for Haiti

The Catholic Register, April 19, 2013  — St. Joseph’s College School’s upcoming Multicultural Night continues a tradition of raising funds for Haiti begun more than two decades ago. On April 26, the ladies at SJCS will host the annual event for Haitian relief, raising funds to be distributed in the impoverished nation through the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Beautiful: The New Toronto Home of The Sisters of St. Joseph

Urban Toronto, April 18, 2013 — In a time when a good deal of Toronto's religious community is amalgamating into fewer buildings and some of the underused churches are being transformed into condos or performance spaces, it's rare when we see new faith-based facilities under construction. When we do see it though, these facilities have often been some of the more architecturally adventurous recent builds.
Earth Day: April 22
Earth Day is an annual day of celebrating our Mother Earth. On this day, events and demonstrations take place around the world to support environmental protection. Here are some ways that you can celebrate Earth Day this year:
Furniture Bank Celebrates its 15th Anniversary
An Open House... A Wonderful Home Coming
On Wednesday, March 13, staff and board members warmly welcomed invited guests to tour the Furniture Bank’s new warehouse facilities — its very first permanent home at 25 Connell Court in Etobicoke. It is an incredible story of an inspiration that began in 1996 when Sister Anne Schenck CSJ visited a Somalian mother with four young children living in an empty apartment with only two small cooking pots.
“Here I am, Lord,” Says Sr. Carmen
Whoever drinks of the water that I will give, will never thirst.
—John 4:14

"Wow!" was the first word presider Father Robert Foliot SJ said on March 19, 2013, the feast day of St. Joseph and the first Eucharist in the Sisters’ new chapel in their new residence. It was a night of firsts. Congregation members gathered to witness novice Sr. Carmen Rojas  making her First Profession taking vows for the next three years. The ceremony took place after the homily and was both simple and profound...
Sisters Contribute Hospital Beds for Pakistan
On the morning of March 14, 2013, a dozen GlobalMedic volunteers, members of GlobalMedic’s Rapid Response Team, gathered at Morrow Park, 3377 Bayview Avenue. They were there to collect a gift of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto: 40 hospital beds, metal tables and desks and medical supplies like wheelchairs, lifts, mattresses and walkers. 
Nuns Move Into Heaven on Earth

Toronto Star, March 15, 2013 — Designed by Shim-Sutcliffe, 2 O’Connor Dr. is part hospital, part assisted-care facility for the Sisters of St. Joseph. The striking new structure snakes along the edge of the Don Valley ravine at the juncture of Broadview Ave. and O’Connor Dr.
CSJ Associate Assembly Day

For the CSJ Associates and the Sisters in attendance, Saturday, February 16 was a particularly significant day for two reasons.  Not only was it our Annual Associate Assembly Day but it was also the last Associate event to be held at Morrow Park.  Sr. Linda Gregg, our presenter (pictured right), chose a timely and inspiring theme:  Garden Pathway of God’s Gospel on Earth.
Three Sisters Carry On an Over-300-Year Tradition

Recently, I travelled to Haiti to monitor our ministry projects there, but more importantly, I went to be there for a very special event with the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Vallier with whom I have lived for many years. Three of their young Sisters were completing 10 years of formation and making their perpetual profession as Sisters of St. Joseph. As we celebrated together, we shared many memories of events that happened during those years. 
Candles and Cake at Village Mosaic

Village Mosaic recently held a double celebration: Valentine’s Day along with the fourth anniversary of their centre. February 14, 2013, was cause for candles, cake and crooning.
Celebrating Religious Life

On January 27, 2013, Sisters Dorothy Schweitzer, Terry Dalla and Jacqueline de Verteuil, pictured at right, as well as Sr. Rosemary Fry  participated in Newman Centre’s celebration of Consecrated Life with a display illustrating the Sisters of St. Joseph’s ministries. Many other men and women religious participated in this lively event.
Faith in the City

On Friday, Jan. 24, 2013, 250 people of various faiths — Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, First Nations spirituality, and others — came together with several City Councillors and staff in the City of Toronto’s Council Chambers for Faith in the City. 
CSJ Haiti Newsletter 2013

The annual CSJ Haiti Newsletter is now available, containing news, updates, recollections and thanks from Sister Mary Alban Bouchard, Sister Lorraine Malo and Sister Rosemary Fry.

Click here to download the Haiti newsletter PDF.

Click here for more articles on the Sisters of St. Joseph in Haiti.
Circle of Friends: The 2013 CSJ Associates Newsletter
The annual newsletter of the CSJ Associates, Circle of Friends, is now available. Topics include:
  • The Founding Sisters Tell the CSJ Associate Story
  • Update on the New Residence at 2 O’Connor
  • Announcements from the Associates Leadership Team
  • Four New Associates
  • Milestone Birthdays and Awards
  • Federation of CSJ Associate Directors: the 2012 Meeting
  • The September 2012 Associates Retreat and Thanking  Sr. Mary Rose Marrin
  • A Reflection on being “Like Bright Stars”
  • Celebrating 30 Years: The  Quilted Associate Banner and Associate Prayer
  • Associates members we will miss
 
 
 
 
Morrow Park's Mass of Thanksgiving Celebrates 52 Years

The invitation to family and friends stated: "As we prepare to move after 52 years at Morrow Park, the Sisters of St. Joseph invite you to join us for a Mass and Reception on Sunday, November 25..." And guests poured in, welcomed by Sisters who guided them up to the chapel through a corridor lined with banners showing images of Morrow Park and the activities there over the yearsThe "Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving" began at 2 pm with a welcome from Congregational Leader Sr.
Sr. St. John O'Malley CSJ with students in 1925 Celebrating 100 Years of Women's Education at St. Michael's

Women were first admitted to St. Michael's College in 1911 - 12, a century ago. By the 15th anniversary of their arrival, as Laura Sabia pointed out in her talk to a gathering of SMC alumnae for a Whitsuntide Conference (a series of early 60s conferences meant to balance the longstanding Michaelmas Conference for male-alumni), women students registered in the Faculty of Arts and Science through St. Michael's College already outnumbered the men. That ratio has continued to the present time. But co-education did not come easily to St. Michael's.
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