This newsletter was authored by the General Council. It contains congratulations to jubilarians, reports from conferences, reports from missions in foreign countries like Peru and El Salvador, notices about social justice issues, including information on violence and non-violence, and how Sisters can work towards Indigenous reconciliation and self-government. This was pertinent particularly since 1992 was the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus arriving in North America. The subseries also covers topics including feminism as it relates to the charism of the congregation and all its actions; calls to boycott certain corporations; a campaign to abolish nuclear weapons; monetary aid to Nicaragua and Honduras after Hurricane Mitch struck; refugee sponsorship; marching against poverty; and agricultural and environmental concerns. In the newsletters, there is financial information concerning personal budgeting, bursary information, and information on the congregation’s donations. This subseries discusses healthcare news including board membership, Catholic values in healthcare, and hospital updates related to Killam General Hospital ownership and cuts by the Ontario government in 1993. Finally, the subseries contains obituaries and reflections for several Sisters.
This series contains newsletters pertaining to the congregation. The early newsletters were generally written by the General Superior and addressed to the Sisters of the congregation. Some later newsletters pertained to the amalgamation of four congregations to become The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada in 2012.
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada (London, Ont.)The 1947-1957 newsletters are addressed to Sister-Superior and Sisters and signed by Reverend Mother and the Sisters. They are from either Sacred Heart Convent or Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse. The subseries contains news of congregational activities and community events as they relate to education, St. Joseph’s Hospital, the House of Providence, nursing student graduations, and local high school sporting events.
The 1998-2000 newsletters contain news of Sisters’ activities and social justice initiatives. There are also invitations for Sisters to share the story of their ministry, and a pamphlet on Project Millennium, which was a series of television programs presented by The Catholic Religious Communities of Canada. The project’s purpose was to use television as ministry to share the rich heritage of religious communities with all Canadians. The purpose of the pamphlet was for Stephanie Vincec of the Hamilton congregation to notify others about the episode on the Hamilton congregational story that she authored.
Sister Mary Brendan (Cathleen) Flynn, General Superior from 1971-1979, wrote newsletters on behalf of the General Council to the Sisters living at the Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse in London, Ontario. The topics of these newsletters included important announcements that related to the community, such as which Sister Superior should be consulted regarding budget issues, use of the apostolic services fund for running programs, and changes in housing appointments. The vow of poverty is a recurring theme in these newsletters.
This newsletter provided information from the General Council, who are the elected leadership. It contains news on various social justice initiatives including a response to the September 11, 2001 crisis and the following war in Afghanistan, moral and sustainable agriculture, child poverty, pastoral work with lesbian and gay persons, the congregation’s commitment to ecology, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, boycotts on various corporations for unethical practices, the growing gap between rich and poor, and equitable hiring practices. The subseries also contains reports on the work of the congregation on the trafficking of women and children, as well as work with refugees. Other items include notices of jubilarians’ celebrations, leadership team portfolios, Council calendars, important dates, and information on retreats. Finally, the subseries contains thank you notes that bereaved Sisters published to thank other Sisters for their support. This newsletter demonstrates the effect of the Internet on the congregation: there was an interest in transitioning to sending various newsletters and printed materials through email to facilitate access and save on postage costs, and there is news about the development of the congregation’s website.
This newsletter includes notes from the Council primarily concerning the amalgamation of the congregations. It includes messages from Sisters, announcements for events pertinent to the community, and news about community work and engagements as well as about travel and international work. It also contains entries about Indigenous relations and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. A few of the newsletters discuss the Occupy Movement, a series of protests on income disparity.