Religious Communities
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NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF Fall 2012 • Number 146 Elgin,LO Essex, Huron, Kent, Lambton,nd Middlesex, Norfolk, OxfordO and Perth CountiesN 50 Cents Sisters of St. Joseph THE BASILIAN FATHERS Society Christ Sister Adorers of the PreciousMissionaries Blood of St. Charles Rosarians MICHAELITES of of the Religious Communities: Institutes of Consecrated Life Order of the Discalced Carmelite Friars Order of the Friars Minor Capuchin Order of the FriarsUrsuline Minor Religious of the Chatham Union Congregation Holy Redeemer Sisters of Service The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary From the early 1700s, members of religious sent five sisters to establish a convent in three Catholic universities, the third being they ministered only in Polish-speaking communities came to serve within the London. King’s University, which was founded in parishes. Now they are in many English- territory that would eventually become 1955 under Bishop Cody. No other diocese speaking parishes, more than any other These communities of sisters were very the Diocese of London. These courageous in Canada has that many institutions of religious community. Over the years, popular among the people, not only women and men enabled the Catholic Catholic higher education. communities, such as the Redemptorists because of their dedication to teaching but faith to grow and flourish in this area. The and Oblates of Mary Immaculate, have also because of their work in preparing It is a great blessing for our diocese to have history of our diocese would have been taken over parishes and other ministries children for the sacraments and in the presence of two contemplative religious very different without them. in our diocese. Communities, such as the supporting their faith development. They communities. Since 1913, the Precious Little Flower Congregation, the Discalced In 1728, Jesuit priests founded the small attracted local vocations, and as their Blood Sisters have had a monastery in Carmelite Friars, the Missionary Society of isolated mission of Our Lady of the numbers grew they opened many schools London. It is also the home of the general St. Thomas the Apostle, and the Xaverian Assumption among the Hurons. Twenty throughout the diocese. superior and offers formation to their Missionaries, have sent priests to minister years later, a church was constructed new members who are appointed to their In the early years, there were few social in our parishes. Given the shortage of on this site. Assumption parish is the other monasteries in English Canada. The services provided within the boundaries priests, the pastoral care that we are now mother parish of the Catholic Church Rosarians came to our diocese just a couple of our diocese. The religious communities offering our people would not be possible in Ontario and the oldest one in Canada of years ago from Sri Lanka and reside at were extremely generous in responding to without their assistance. west of Montreal. The Jesuits worked hard the rectory of St. Patrick’s church in Merlin. these needs. They provided free education to serve the spiritual and material needs They are overseeing our Marian Shrine. My comments are not in any way to poor children. They opened orphanages. of the Hurons and the French settlers The members of these communities live a exhaustive with respect to the tremendous The Sisters of St. Joseph established who were beginning to arrive. When life of prayer, silence and sacrifice. They are accomplishments of religious communities. hospitals in London, Chatham and Sarnia. the diocese was established in 1856, the powerful witnesses to the life of holiness to Religious women and men have been In 1888, the Religious Hospitallers of St. French were thriving in their language and which all of us are called by our baptism. and are involved in many pastoral works Joseph came from Montreal and started customs, thanks to the dedication of these contributing to the vibrancy of diocesan Hôtel-Dieu hospital in Windsor. In 1928, As waves of new Catholic immigrants missionary priests. life. Some of these will be highlighted in at Bishop Fallon’s request, the Sisters of arrived in our diocese, the bishops turned the other articles in this edition of the Our bishops realized that if the faith were the Good Shepherd opened a convent in to religious communities for help. Bishop Newspaper. to grow and be strong, good Catholic Windsor and provided a home for teenage Fallon approached the Capuchin Fathers education was essential. They invited to girls who had no other place to go. from Belgium to meet the spiritual needs In consecrated life, women and men seek our diocese religious communities whose of the Flemish and Dutch Catholics who to follow Christ more closely through The Basilian Fathers, my own religious charism was the education and formation were settling in the Blenheim area. In 1950, vows of chastity, poverty and obedience. community, arrived in 1857. They of youth. In 1860, the Ursuline Sisters came the Sacred Heart Fathers from Holland The presence of many different religious served at Assumption College and to and opened a school at St. Joseph’s parish came as a result of the large immigration of communities has been a blessing for our this day continue to lead and administer in Chatham. In 1864, the Sisters of the Dutch Catholics. Bishop Carter invited the diocese. Assumption University. In 1919, the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary accepted Polish Ursulines Sisters of the Agonizing Ursulines founded Brescia College as Bishop Pinsoneault’s invitation and sent six Heart of Jesus, who were welcomed by We thank God for the religious who have a Catholic women’s college affiliated sisters from Quebec to teach in Catholic Msgr. Wnuk at Holy Trinity parish in ministered here. They have dedicated their with the University of Western. These elementary schools. In 1868, at the request Windsor. The Scalabrini Fathers have lives to God. Many of them have willingly communities showed remarkable vision in of Bishop Walsh, the Sisters of St. Joseph served our Italian parishes, the Order of endured enormous hardships to serve establishing universities. Our diocese has Friars Minor has served our people and the wider community, our Croatian parishes and especially those who are poor and needy. the Society of Christ has May God bless our religious and call many served the Polish parish in to serve our Church in religious life. Canada Post Corporation/Société canadienne des postes Postage paid Port payé Chatham. Publications mail Poste-lettres This year is the fiftieth anniversary of the 10198 London Most Rev. Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B. Michaelite Fathers in our Bishop of London diocese. When they came, Tour & Pilgrimage Opportunities • Stained GlaSS • PLAN NOW FOR 2013! Since 1979 FEBRUARY 21-March 3 The Holy Land with Fr. Graham Keep Heritage Quality Restoration & APRIL 1-8 The Sisters of the Holy Woodwork Mission Trip to Roatan Honduras • MAY Names of Jesus& Mary Memorial Poland Pilgrimage with Fr. D. Lewandowski By Sr. Maureen Hussey, SNJM Windows Marian Pilgrimage to Fatima/Lourdes Avila/ Last year, the sisters and associates of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary celebrated • Zaragossa/Barcelona with Fr. Gilbert Simard the 200th anniversary of the birth of their foundress, Blessed Marie Rose Durocher. Protective A woman of great vision, she saw the needs of society around her and responded Storm JULY with active love. Glazing Pilgrimage to St. Andre Bessette & Even today, whether ministering in schools, in parishes, or in diverse ministries with Ste. Anne de Beaupre with Father G. Bedard refugees, the poor, Project Rachel, the elderly or lonely, empowering of others and • working for justice are distinctive characteristics of the SNJM community. SEPTEMBER London’s The Sisters of the Holy Names came to the Diocese of London in 1864. Currently Shrines of Italy Pilgrimage there are 27 sisters and 25 associates in the diocese, mainly in the Windsor area. Most Experienced OCTOBER The associates are dedicated lay women who keep the spirit of Blessed Marie Rose Stained Glass Durocher, alive in their homes, parishes and places of ministry. Besides assisting and In the Footsteps of St. Paul Craftsmen supporting some of the sisters in their ministries, many are active in their parishes and workplaces. As a joint project they have chosen to support Street Help. For more information, please contact George Cifa at Like Blessed Marie Rose in her day, and other Holy Names Communities around the 97 Wharncliffe Rd. S. world today, the sisters try to respond to the needs they see. Education in all forms London, Ont. Uniglobe Instant Travel remains close to their hearts. Sr. Claire Durocher has taught piano to more than 519-432-9624 519-660-6966 40 students of various ethnic origins – because Windsor is a gateway to Canada, 1-800-361-1334 many refugees land on its doorsteps and their needs are great. For many years, Sr. Helen Petrimoulx served the needs of refugees daily, becoming their advocate and www.sunrisestainedglass.com TICO #1549342 ACTA their friend. Sr. Diane Latremouille works with refugees sheltered at Angela Rose House until their paperwork is complete and a more permanent dwelling can be found. The work of these women and those who assist them as volunteers and fundraisers not only provides the necessary physical help; more importantly, their love and compassion bring a spark of hope to the refugees and begin the long healing process. Associate Terry Lavergne has been a great resource and help in answering the many needs of the refugees. Through the SNJM Peace and Justice Committee, the sisters and associates are kept informed and are challenged to work collaboratively on justice issues. In solidarity with the entire congregation, and other groups, they seek to put an end to human trafficking, are concerned with environmental issues and work toward a future where water and other human necessities will “We are competent, experienced lawyers who offer personal, be recognized as a human right available to all.