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Meet Loretto Mahony,
CSJ Hamilton Companion

I have been a Companion of the Sisters of St. Joseph, Hamilton for approximately twenty years. However, as I reflect on my life, I realize that the Sisters of St. Joseph have been present in my life from early childhood. At a young age, I made my weekly Sunday visit to my uncle Ed at the House of Providence in Dundas (now St. Joseph’s Villa). It was a welcoming place. I always seemed to meet Sr. Mark and Sr. Gerard in the hallway and I would be treated to cookies and milk. At St. Augustine’s elementary school, I had the wonderful experience of having Sr. Prisca teach me in grade seven. She was exuberant, vivacious, always smiling. She taught us square dancing and we performed at the House of Providence July 1st picnic. It was an exciting time for me.

As an adult, I became involved with the Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto. I worked at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto as a social worker where I met my friend Rosemary Merkley. She shared with me her interest in and involvement as an associate of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Toronto. I also met Sr. Helena at St. Michael’s Hospital where she volunteered her services in the reception area. I was amazed at her vitality and cheerfulness.

Years later, I had the good fortune to reside with the Sisters of St. Joseph, Toronto for two years. They welcomed lay women and there were two of us along with four Sisters.
I lived with them while I was attending Teachers College and for the first year that I taught. I shared meal preparation, meals, household chores, daily prayers and weekly house meetings. It was a life giving time with the Sisters.

After teaching for four years, I moved to Hamilton and lived on Edgemont St. by St. John the Baptist Church where Sr. Francis was so involved in the parish life. I admired her and told her that I wished to become part of a prayer group involving the Sisters if such a group existed. Thanks to Sr. Francis I became involved in the C.S.J. Companions’ program.

Our Maximums group meets monthly at the Motherhouse which I feel is ‘holy ground’. As a companion, I have been honoured to meet wonderful lay people (Rosanna, Paul, Jean, Lena, Connie, Nora, Anne) and inspiring Sisters (Sr. Ignatius, Sr. Carole Anne, Sr. Maria Goretti and Sr. Diane). I have been edified by the Sisters in our group who have lovingly and tirelessly dedicated themselves to helping us Companions grow spiritually. Their zeal is amazing !!!! Thank you all !!!

As I learned of the charisms of hospitality and reconciliation, I certainly felt that the Sisters of St. Joseph whom I knew in and out of the C.S. J. Companions’ group practised these virtues well. I am always amazed and inspired to learn of the work that the Sisters of St. Joseph do, even after they have retired from their first profession. They never seem to retire. They just go from one project to another !!

I am honoured to be a Companion of the Sisters of St. Joseph as I see these women working to bring the Kingdom of God on earth.