Meet Our Sisters

Sister's Vocation Story
& Memorable Reflections

Remembering Sister Marion MacDonell
October 18, 1937 to September 20, 2021                                                                                                                   

Marion was born with gifts and talents in music. She taught music to many students throughout her various places of ministry for many years. She loved singing in choirs. In her years here she sang with Chamber Singers of Algoma and later in the North Bay Choral Society. 

In later years she ministered in Pastoral Care in Elliot Lake.
When Marion entered retirement years, she returned to the Sault. Marion became a member of our Faith Sharing Group with other Sisters who lived singly … at that point we had Marion, Shannon, Lea, Margaret Dodge and me … a motely group that grew “in nature, grace and glory.”

Marion was a caring, compassionate, gentle person who laughed easily and accepted people as they were.

Even in her illness in later years, she smiled and laughed lots. God shone joy and peace through her to the world where ever she was present.

I believe now Marion is singing with the angel choir and resting in God’s Peace.
 

The Best Boss a Student Could Have
by Michele Caruso McGuire

Although my first brief job was at a Sears order office, I consider my first boss to be from my second student job.



Sister Vivian Stephenson managed the kitchen staff at St. Joseph’s Mother House and I worked for her for a total of four years while attending St. Joseph’s College in North Bay. 

Sister Vivian was very organized and demanded the best of her staff. No detail was too small and I learned from the best. She made sure that her student staff were taught how to work every aspect of running a kitchen and dining room and perfection was expected and given. She was lovingly called “Sarg”

What I remember the most about Sister Vivian was her wonderful sense of humour and her contagious laugh! Practical jokes were common in the kitchen and she was usually behind them all. She even loved being the recipient of a practical joke!

Of everything I learned from Sister Vivian, the most touching and lasting memory was her concern and care of the less fortunate. The trains passed beside the Mother House and the sound of rumbling rails and blaring warning horns were daily occurrences. Dating back to the depression era, many men travelled the rails in search of work. It was common for them to knock on the kitchen door for a meal. This practice continued when I was working in the early 70’s. Sister Vivian insisted that we made a hearty lunch including two fresh turkey or ham sandwiches, veggies, fruit, two desserts and a hot cup of coffee. I made many lunches over my four years and she taught me the meaning of caring for the “good neighbour”.