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We were invited to explore Companionship with the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton in 1996. Our early experiences with the Sisters and our later journeys with the Sisters have been different. We will each tell our own story. Paul: Early ExperiencesMy involvement with the Sisters of St. Joseph involves three Congregations – London, Toronto, and Hamilton. I was raised on a farm outside the town of Simcoe. Attendance at the separate school seven miles away in the town was not possible. So, every Sunday, following the nine o’clock Mass (still without breakfast), a small group of “public” school pupils was taught our catechism in the school by the four Sisters who taught in the school during the week. Additionally, when preparation for the sacraments occurred (Grade 2 and Grade 8) our parents met us at the local school, drove us to Simcoe, waited for us to join with the separate school pupils for this instruction and, then, drove us back to school. We never appreciated the sacrifice our farming parents made. We only thought of the “embarrassment” of being “hauled” out of class for “Catholic” instruction, and then having to re-enter later in the day. My father’s half sister, Sister Dominica, was a Sister of St. Joseph in Toronto. She visited the farm most summers with a companion. Sister Dominica taught English at St. Joseph’s College. When, after a three year stint at St. Peter’s Seminary, London, I came to the Ontario College of Education in Toronto for a year, it was the girls from St. Joseph’s College who befriended me. And, it was from that group that I met Barbara. Barbara introduced me to Sisters who had been her teachers and others who had been her classmates. Many great friendships came from those days. In 1975, I joined the Hamilton Separate School Board as a superintendent. There were still a few Sisters of St. Joseph in the schools and, while I supervised their teaching, they supervised my involvement in Catholic activities. As a Board, we held many of our meetings at the Motherhouse, shared Masses and meals with the Sisters. As many of the Sisters had been active teachers, a common bond was formed. Barbara: Early ExperiencesMy connections with the Sisters of St. Joseph began with my birth at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Peterborough. My next encounter began when I went to school. St. Mary’s Convent School was an all girls’ school which my Mother and Aunt had also attended. Since the Sisters lived at the Convent, there was a Chapel in the building. It was a great privilege as a senior student to be allowed to spend time praying during the annual Forty Hours, particularly during school hours! When I went to the University of Toronto I was enrolled at St. Michael’s College. Women students were also students of either St. Joseph’s College or Loretto College. I became a St. Joe’s girl. The years at St. Mike’s and St. Joe’s laid the foundations of faith, learning, and friendship which have continued to flourish. My class will gather in June for our 55th reunion! The beloved sisters at the College became our mentors, friends and spiritual sisters. When prayers and guidance were needed, they were there. When I married, Sister Dominica became an Aunt! Our children early on came to know the “College Nuns”. When we visited Sister Dominica, we saw the other sisters, too. Visits moved from 29 Queens Park to Morrow Park as the Sisters retired. We were grateful that our two children were accepted into residence at St. Michael’s, although they were both taking professional courses at U of T. Paul: Continuing JourneyFriendship with Sisters means involvement. Our invitation to be CSJ Companions came through Sisters who were resident in our parish. Sister Anne McLoughlin and the late Sister Stephanie formed a small band of six into a group that has studied the Sisters’ history, their spirituality and have blossomed into people who carry out many works of mercy. We continue to meet monthly in one of our homes. I am the only male among the six and, frequently, the only male at meetings the Sisters convene for all of the Diocesan Companions. I enjoy my privileged position, as well as the gatherings – mini retreat experiences – lectures on spirituality – talks on social issues and, always, good food. During 2002, the 150th Anniversary of the founding of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Hamilton, I was asked to serve on the Steering Committee, one of two lay people. That was a marvelous experience. I chaired a sub-committee that developed a poster extolling the role of the Sisters in education. Sister Teresita, a past General Superior, and Sister Mary Ambrose, a past principal, and I delivered those posters to every parish in the Diocese. Sister Carole Anne Guay began the Hamilton Out of the Cold project following retirement from teaching. She asked Barbara and me to join her first Board of Directors. We served for six years. From one guest the first evening the program has blossomed to over ten thousand meals each year in five churches. There have been many smaller adventures with the Sisters. I treasure them all and am proud to be a CSJ Companion. Barbara: Continuing JourneyPaul has aptly described our mutual journey since we came to Hamilton thirty one years ago. The opportunity to meet monthly, to reflect and to pray together has been a special gift with foundations in the St. Mike’s years. I am grateful for the friendships, concern and the prayers of our Companions and Sisters. They are our invisible supports!
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