Water fall wall acknowledging the years of minsitry.
For the weekend of September 12, 2021, nineteen Sisters drove to Thunder Bay to celebrate 139 years of ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph in the diocese. It was a sunny and joy-filled day celebrating the ministry of the Sisters from Toronto (1881 – 1890), the Sisters from Peterborough (1890 – 1936) and the Sisters from Sault Ste. Marie (1936 - 1020.
Over the years, the Sisters taught in elementary and secondary schools, cared for the sick, cared for orphans, taught music, ministered to homeless, hungry and needy, supported released prisoners, administered social services, worked in spiritual, pastoral and retreat ministries set up child day care centers, and ministered in countless other ways to the indigenous and non-indigenous population in the region.
After the last Sister left Thunder Bay in 2020, Bishop Colli extended the invitation to the Sisters to return to celebrate the CSJ charism of all-inclusive love, firmly rooted in the region. The sunny day began with a tree-planting at the Diocesan Centre followed by a reception hosted by the Bishop and Catholic Women’s league. At 2:00pm Mass in honour of St. Joseph was celebrated by Bishop Colli at St. Andrews Parish – the first parish home of the Sisters in 1881 Sister Bonnie MacLellan gave an overview of the ministry of the Sisters over 139 years, and Bishop Colli honoured the works of the Sisters in his homily. Afterwards everyone walked the short distance to the nearby St. Joseph’s Hospital plaza where a huge fountain waterfall wall had been erected to celebrate the ministry of the Sisters. A bronze plaque was displayed atop the wall. When we arrived, patients from the hospital some with visible disabilities and disadvantages had been enjoying the healing and peaceful atmosphere of the waterfall fountain. The scene reminded us all of why we had come to Thunder Bay in the first place.
The day ended with a joyous and happy meal together with our generous and gracious host, Bishop Colli and members of the planning committee. We left Thunder Bay thrilled and confident that the seeds that were planted in 1881 and watered by successive generations of Sisters had passed into highly capable hands and would continue to flourish and bear fruit.
