The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Consolidated Archives

Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada

The Detox Clinic

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In 1971, a group of citizens in London met to discuss setting up a detoxification clinic. Sr. Mary Doyle, of the Sisters of St. Joseph, chaired the group which included representatives from hospitals, social service agencies, the Addiction Research Foundation, the police, the Salvation Army, and Mission Services. It was planned as a department of St. Joseph’s Hospital to ensure access to the emergency department. Funding was secured from the provincial government. St. Joseph’s Hospital would administer the clinic, while the Addiction Research Foundation would plan services. The Board of St. Joseph’s Hospital appointed Sr. St. Patrick Joyce as the Director of the newly founded St. Joseph’s Hospital Detoxification Clinic in 1973.

The clinic opened on September 13, 1973 at 331 Dufferin Avenue, attached to the Addiction Research Foundation at 477 Waterloo Street. The clinic contained 20 beds for men, with the objective of providing a hospitable environment in which the alcoholic could be detoxified without medication. The resident was given fruit juice or coffee, showered, got in pajamas, and was encouraged to sleep it off. Nourishing meals were served. The clinic had 11 trained staff members, and access to the 28-day program at St. Thomas Addiction Unit and the four-month program at Quinton Warner House, as well as to Alcoholics Anonymous. There were beds, a reception area, living rooms, and laundry and kitchen services. It was a place to dry out, to sleep, to have a meal, and to find a sympathetic listener and services. Staff planted the desire in residents to want to change their lifestyles through individual or group interaction. Three days after admission, the resident could have seizures or hallucinations, in which case he was kept in the observation area and watched, and if necessary, taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital emergency department and kept until his condition stabilized. Less than 5% of residents required hospital treatment.

From 1973 to 1979, the detox clinic handled the highest number of admissions in the province: more than 20,000 admissions reflecting about 3,600 individuals since many were repeat visits. The residents came from all walks of life, and ranged in age from 15 to 84 years, with about 20% having full time jobs. The average stay was two days. Sr. St. Patrick made the point that detox clinics deal with chronic drinkers and their success rates cannot be compared with treatment centres. She explained that detox clinics dry people out in preparation for treatment centres which would reject chronic alcoholics without this preparation. She argued that detox clinics free up hospital beds and are thus the least expensive way to treat chronic alcoholics. From 1972 to 1976, 24 of the detox clinic residents had remained sober for two years, and 65 residents for one year, a success rate that no one could argue with.

In September, 1979, the detox clinic moved to a mansion built by William Spencer, a founder of Imperial Oil, in 1856. The building was located at the corner of Queens Avenue and William Street in London. It had originally been taken over from the Knights of Columbus by the Sisters of St. Joseph in 1949, and run from 1951-1965 as Fontbonne Hall, an orphanage. From 1965-1972, it had housed Vanier Children’s Services, and then Internos, a home for teenaged girls run by the congregation. In 1977, it served as a residence for women attending university and classrooms for St. Joseph’s School of Music. With the move of the detox clinic, the building was renovated to house alcoholic men and women in one half of the house, and women in need in the other. Renovations were completed on March 6, 1980, and 534 Queens Avenue became a refuge for women in need, while 471 William Street became the new detox centre. The facility, now called the Withdrawal Management Centre, could accommodate 20 men and three women, and had a round- the- clock staff of ten men and women. Sister St. Patrick’s dream to help female alcoholics came true, and her patience was rewarded when one woman she worked with for 16 years was finally able to stay sober for one whole year.

During its years in operation, the detox centre at William Street had over 3,300 client visits per year. It provided a haven for intoxicated people who were not allowed into shelter beds, and a place for alcoholics to dry out before treatment. While the clientele was mostly male, 10% were female. In 2005, the province terminated its contract with St. Joseph’s Hospital. The Sisters of St. Joseph sold the William Street building in September, 2005, and the Withdrawal Management Centre moved to the Centre of Hope operated by the Salvation Army on October 31, 2005.

A longer version of this article by Mary Grace Kosta was originally published in the London and Middlesex Historical Society Newsletter, Spring 2020.

London and Region Associate Community, Then and Now

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By Sandy Bell-Cameron

Joseph lived his life simply and humbly. He was a dreamer, with a deep and abiding faith in God’s visions.

The Associates had their official beginning in 1987 when Chapter approved the movement toward having an Associates program. In 1988, Sr. Doreen Kraemer was appointed by Council to be the Director of Associates. The “Medaille” group of Associates was formed in 1989 in Sarnia, and group members celebrated their Charism Commitment Ceremony (now Charism Connection Ceremony) in 1991. The same year, Sr. Doreen published the first edition of Bridging, the Associate newsletter. The first Associate retreat was in 1992 at St. Joseph’s–on-the-Lake in Kingsville with the theme “Charism.” In 1993 Sr. Janet Zadorsky formed the Associate group in Peru, “Un Milagro de Amor.” In 1995 a liaison was chosen by each group as a leader within the group and to support communication between groups, and with the Congregational Leadership and the community.  Also in 1995, the Associate Directors’ Committee of the Canadian Federation expanded its membership to include an Associate from each of the six congregations. In 1999 the Associates sponsored and hosted the Region III Conference “Widening the Circle of Love: New Millennium Challenge.”

Sister Doreen Kraemer
Sister Doreen Kraemer

In 2000 an endorsement process was used to select a “Core Team” (now Core Circle) with five members to assist with administering the Associates.  A core team writing committee began work on an Associate Handbook. In 2001 the first Annual Associate Business meeting (now known as the Annual General Gathering) took place in Chatham; an annual Associate fee was introduced to support ‘ownership’ of and financial management of the Associates. In 2001 an editorial team for Bridging was formed with their first edition issued in 2002. Early in 2002, an endorsement and discernment process called forward two “Animators” to assist Sr. Doreen forming the first “Animating Team” (now Animating Circle).  In 2003 the Associate pendant/pin was designed by an Associate. In 2003 Associates were invited to be collaborators with the Sisters of an emerging dream of a Spiritual Ministries Network and in 2007 the dream became a reality with both Sister and Associate members. In 2005 the animating team and Sr. Doreen worked on ways of sharing responsibilities including procedures for forming new groups. From the beginning until she left her formal Associate ministry in June 2010, Sr. Doreen discerned the vision for the Associates and initiated and nurtured shared leadership.    

Sister Janet Zadorsky
Sister Janet Zadorsky

In 2010 Sr. Janet Zadorsky was asked by the Congregational Leadership Circle to be the “CSJ Associate Mentor.” Until completing her ministry as mentor in 2017, Sr. Janet’s role was to guide the Associates towards independence as an Associate-led community. She accomplished this in part by creating templates for leadership retreats, ceremonies, rituals, an Annual General Gathering, and the endorsement process. Sr. Janet and Sr. Nancy Wales along with Associates’ input created a Seekers Program for individuals interested in the Associates, with PowerPoint presentations and resources on CSJ history, spirituality, mission and ministry, charism, maxims and the Associate program. Sr. Janet fully supported the evolution to independent Associate leadership and mentorship.

In May 2017 two Associates accepted together the new role of “Associate Mentors.” This was a time of being midwives for the future with continued positive growth for the Associate community. Following completion of the Associate mentors’ terms, four current and past animator circle and core circle members stepped forward in November 2019, one from each region, and formed an “Associate Leadership Circle” to fulfil the role and responsibilities of the Associate mentor(s).  Over time, leadership roles have changed to be more fluid, collaborative and consultative with the leadership circles working closely together and calling on and supporting one another in leadership tasks, events, and retreats. Currently (in 2022), the London and Region Associate Community has 140 Associates in 18 groups within the four regions of Windsor / Chatham / Kingsville / Maidstone (4), Sarnia (4), Simcoe / Woodstock (3), and London / St. Thomas / Grand Bend (5). One group is in Zana Valley, Peru and one is a virtual group. There are eight Sisters who are also Associates either as an active member or praying member. In closing, as an Associate community in the Joseph family, may we continue to pray communally and in our own hearts that like Joseph, we may live our lives simply and humbly, rooted in the charism of Love, listening for and responding to God’s call within our own day.

With gratitude for Sr. Doreen’s Associate History Line and the support of Associates in preparing this “Then and Now” summary.

Religious antagonism initiates community gem

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By Joe Keast

Although in the 21st century differences between different Christian denominations are mostly no longer a source of antagonism, these differences had a significant impact on the young town of Peterborough toward the end of the 19th century.

One systemic example of this antagonism was the provision of health care.  In the mid-1880’s the widow of a wealthy Peterborough businessman, Mrs. Charlotte Nichols, set aside $100,00 for the establishment a hospital in the young, growing town.  This important addition to the community was to be managed by a specifically chosen group of business and professional leaders – representatives of the various Protestant denominations, along with the mayor (unless he were not a Protestant).  The Nichols Hospital’s services were specifically and exclusively “for the benefit the Protestant population.”

As word of this development reached the attention of Bishop Joseph Thomas Dowling of the Diocese of Peterborough, he began making plans for a hospital whose vision would be more catholic. Bishop Dowling purchased a site across the river in Ashburnham Village – referred as St. Leonard’s Grove and hired local architect John Belcher to design the building.  In 1889 Bishop Dowling was transferred to the Hamilton diocese and was succeeded by Bishop Richard Alphonsus O’Connor.  With work on the hospital building proceeding, Bishop O’Connor approached the leaders of the Toronto Sisters of St. Joseph, who in previous years had established several hospitals in southern Ontario and Port Arthur and who had convents dedicated to Catholic education in the Peterborough diocese.  He asked the Sisters to agree, not only to staff the new hospital, but to allow the formation of a new Congregation for the Peterborough diocese comprising of the Toronto Sisters’ establishments in Cobourg, Port Arthur, and Fort William as well as staff for the Peterborough hospital and a school in Lindsay to be assumed from the Loretto Sisters to serve as a motherhouse for the new Congregation.

St. Joseph's Convent, Lindsay, Ontario
St. Joseph’s Convent, Lindsay, Ontario

With some trepidation, the Toronto Congregation generously agreed to this request. In August of 1890 the construction of the new hospital neared completion.  Under the direction of Mother M. de Pazzi, General Superior of the Toronto Congregation, those Sisters who could, gathered in the empty building to hold retreat and the election of the first leadership group. The retreat ended on August 15th with the election of Mother Austin Doran as the General Superior of the new congregation.  A few days later, on August 20, Bishop O’Connor presided over the dedication and official opening of the hospital. He proclaimed that “its doors will be open to the sick of all denominations, to Jew and Gentile, Catholic and Protestant.”

Mayor Stevenson was moved by this universal decree and agreed that the town would co-operate in retiring the remaining debt. The first Sisters to staff the new hospital were Mother Anselm (O’Connor), Sister Baptista (Keane), Sister Geraldine (Chidwick), and Sister Hilary (Irwin). The next year the Sisters expanded their ministry at the hospital by welcoming 40 people in need of care – the aged, blind, destitute, and orphans.  This group had been cared for by the Toronto Sisters, but it was felt that they would be better cared for in their hometown.  Eventually this led to the establishment of the House of Providence to care for the elderly and destitute on the hospital grounds, and St. Vincent’s Orphanage to care for children in town.

St. Joseph's Hospital, Peterborough, Ontario
St. Joseph’s Hospital, Peterborough, Ontario

Over the next century, St. Joseph’s Hospital served the citizens of Peterborough City and County with compassionate, professional medical care. During this time the hospital underwent a series of major additions and the level of medical care expanded to keep up with all the changes and improvements in medical care.  In the 1990’s, when the cost and complexity of providing medical care became onerous, the provincial government mandated the St. Joseph’s and Civic Hospital (the successor to the Nichols Hospital) be amalgamated to form the Peterborough Regional Health Center.

Thus, an endeavor which came to be because of religious antagonism blossomed, and when the time was right evolved into the modern medical facility that residents of Peterborough enjoy today.

Remembering Mother Martha von Bunning, 1824 – June 13, 1868

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Sr. Ann Marshall, csj

In recognition of the 170 years since the Hamilton foundation, I was asked to reflect on why Mother Martha is so significant to the Hamilton sisters. Her story is poignant and instructive, and its meaning is still unfolding. Her story as a Sister of St. Joseph reflects the pascal mystery of death and resurrection. Martha followed in the footsteps of Jesus who died an apparent failure.

We first heard Martha’s story following Vatican 11 when Rome directed all religious congregations to revisit their founding charism.  On hearing Martha’s story for the first time there was initial shock, surprise and a sense of embarrassment which gave way to anger/resentment.  Remember this was an era of awakening for women containing new truths and insights. We symbolized our support of Martha by the removal of a large picture of the first Bishop of Hamilton, Bishop Farrell, which had been hanging prominently in the Mother House and gifted it to the Chancery Office where it now hangs in the Diocesan library named after him. A more appropriate home for His Grace.

Mother Martha von Bunning
Mother Martha von Bunning

Martha was born in Germany, emigrated to the USA, and entered the Congregation in 1845 at the age of 21. She was missioned from St. Louis Missouri to Toronto and from there to Hamilton in 1852.   At 28 Martha was named the superior of the Hamilton community.  Martha understood that love is expressed in service of the dear neighbour and readily accepted the challenge of caring for the typhus and cholera victims of arriving immigrants but at a cost of the lives of the sisters.  Ten years into the foundation, in 1862, unjustly accused Martha was banished from the community by the Bishop. This resilient and humble woman made a second attempt at reconciliation in 1868 even though her health was failing but was again denied a meeting with the Bishop and made her way to Toronto, walking all the way. The archives are silent on this detail, however, she was warmly received by the Toronto community and died 9 days later.

I said earlier Martha’s story is instructive.  She was courageous in responding to unmet needs, resilient in the face of adversity, humble and forgiving in the dark night of unjust condemnation, and uncompromising in living the charism of unity and reconciliation. It seems to me that Martha’s short life reflects our own congregation’s Chapter Statement: Moving with Love and embracing each moment of possibility as a graced path to Transformation.   

The medical artifacts collection

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Since 2016, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Consolidated Archives has participated in the medical artifacts cataloguing project with St. Joseph’s Health Care in London, Ontario. As part of this project, 17 university students have acquired skills in museum registration, and many artifacts have been cleaned, labelled, photographed, and catalogued.

It’s been a fun project, as we’ve collaborated with the hospital staff, Noelle Tangredi, on two museum exhibits: one at the Provincial Legislature, and the other at Museum London. Noelle does a wonderful job of preparing medical artifact displays in the hospital exhibit space in Zone A, Level 1, off the main corridor closest to Richmond Street. We were so pleased that this space was officially opened by Sister Jane Marie Stock of our Congregation. Sister Jane Marie became the business manager and personnel director at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London, serving in this role from 1955-1966. From 1966-1979, she was the Assistant Executive Director of Financial and General Services at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and served as Superior at the hospital from 1975-1976. She also served as a member of many committees and boards including St. Joseph’s Health Centre, London and St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation of London.

Our Congregation donated powder coated steel shelving for artifacts storage, and our Congregational Archivist obtained funding from the Catholic Archives Group for a museum database so that catalogue records of artifacts are easily searchable. She also developed a manual for use in cataloguing the collection. In exchange for our support, the hospital has repatriated archival records from the period during which the Sisters administered the hospital, for safekeeping and long-term preservation in our archives. To us, this project has been a model of collaboration and love for the history of the Sisters.

Because of the pandemic, the medical artifacts cataloguing project has been on hiatus. We look forward to the day we can return to continue this important work.

Please enjoy this article from St. Joseph’s Health Care about this collection of intriguing medical implements and devices, which were used during the period that the Sisters ran the hospital. St. Joseph’s Hospital was founded by the Sisters on October 15, 1888 and administered by them until it became St. Joseph’s Health Centre in 1993.

A Passion for Our Past – St. Joseph’s Health Care London