On Saturday, July 15, 2023, Paroisse Ste- Anne Parish is hosting a special event to honour the Sisters of Charity for their ministry and charitable work in Mattawa. The Sisters of Charity of Ottawa was founded by Sr. Élisabeth Bruyèr and have been involved with Ste-Anne Parish for over 145 years.
Truly an end of an era, the last three remaining nuns, Sr. Ginette, Sr. Danielle and Sr. Marie Claire, will be leaving town, as their order has made the difficult decision to close the Mattawa Convent as “part of a major restructuring of their religious community,” the Parish noted in a recent release.
Commonly known as the Grey Nuns, the first Sisters of Charity of Ottawa arrived in Mattawa on January 12, 1878. The first three nuns, Sr. Alexis, Sr. Melanie and Sr. Eudoxie, “were caring, daring women who answered the call to build a hospital, develop education, and assist in pastoral work,” the Parish detailed.
The first hospital was built in 1885, and the first school soon followed in 1895. Those early years laid the groundwork to over a century of dedicated service, particularly at the Mattawa Hospital, the Algonquin Nursing Home, the local Catholic schools, and the Mattawa & Area Food Bank.
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“Their departure will leave a huge hole in our parish and our community.”
Father Tim Moyle and the event committee has put together a day of events to honour and commemorate the Sisters of Charity leaving the community.
2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Tea hosted by la Fédération des Femmes Canadienne Française de Mattawa at École Élisabeth Bruyère, so as many people as possible can drop by to express their appreciation to the Sisters of Charity.
5:00 p.m. Mass celebrated at St. Anne Church by Bishop Guy Desrochers to honour the contributions of the Sisters of Charity to our town and parish. Blessing & unveiling of a permanent display which will list the names of every Sister of Charity (283) who have served in our parish over the past 145 years. Sr. Monique Boucher Provincial Superior will be attending. Joining her will be a contingent of Sisters from General & Provincial Council as well as some Sisters who have previously served in Mattawa.
6:15 p.m. Dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall preceded by a short meet and greet. Expected to attend are: Anthony Rota MP, Archbishop-Elect of Moncton, Guy Desrochers, Fr. Tim Moyle pastor of Paroisse Ste- Anne Parish, Sr. Monique Boucher Provincial Superior, Councillor Dexture Sarrazin and Tanya Belanger CEO Mattawa Hospital / Algonquin Nursing Home who will act as MC for the evening.
The town is also honouring the Sisters of Charity by designating 2nd Street, formerly Boulevard des Oblats, the Sisters of Charity Way. This street is where the first hospital and school were built. Councillor Dexture Sarrazin will unveil the street signs at the Legion and announce two $1,000 scholarships, one for each school which will run for three years in their honour.
David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
