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This sub-series consists of photographs of Guatemala during and after the Sisters’ mission there. There are photographs showing the construction of Colegio San José, the dental clinic, and homes after the 1976 earthquake. There are many photographs depicting the Sisters working in the school, local clinics and Nutritional Centre. Several photographs show the opening of the new chapel on December 12, 1964. There are photographs showing Guatemalan children dressed up for Communion. The sub-series also contains photographs of the 25th anniversary of the Colegio San José depicting school children parading through the streets in celebration. There are also numerous photographs showing the damage caused by the earthquake, as well as reconstruction efforts. Operation Guatemala, a program initiated by the Sisters in Hamilton, is depicted in several photographs. In these images Sisters are filling large drums with supplies to send to Guatemala. Photographs of school children who were sponsored through the beca education program also make up part of this collection. There are also photographs of the Nutritional Centre and Colegio San José sent by the Capuchin Sisters after they were given control of these institutions in 1979. A photograph of the 1985 tribute ceremony plaque awarded to the Sisters of St. Joseph also comprises this sub-series.

This sub-series is made up of records which detail the daily lives of the Sisters and those who worked with them during the Guatemala mission. There are several accounts containing personal recollections. Reverend Michael Myroniuk wrote about delivering aid to Guatemala after the 1976 earthquake. This account was written in 2014, 38 years after the earthquake occurred. In 1990, Sister Marie Garnier (Joan) McMahon reflected on her time spent in Guatemala. In this account, she discusses the founding of the school and clinic, the building of the convent, as well as everyday life in Guatemala. She wrote another reflection in 2002, which provides a brief history of the mission. She also recorded information about her 2005 trip to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Colegio San José. Dona Cristi de Juarez, the first president of the Parent’s Committee of the Colegio, reflects on her time working with the Sisters and her experience trying to get speed bumps placed in front of the school. Mirna Aroch, daughter of Don Baltazar Aroch, the first Guatemalan teacher to work at the school, provides an account of her father’s time working with the Sisters. One of the Sisters reflects on her trip to El Jute, where she met with Francisca Barillas, the first woman catechist to work with the Sisters in Guatemala. There are also recollections from the prayer group about their experiences with the school and interactions with the Sisters. A special edition magazine covering the 1976 earthquake also comprises this sub-series. The articles discuss foreign aid, the national reconstruction program, and the Guatemalan economy. Newspaper clippings include stories about the founding of the Colegio San José and the Guatemalan military coup. There is also a complete set of annals for this mission. The annals detail the daily lives of the Sisters and their experiences learning Spanish, building and working at the school, creating the nutritional centre, and time spent working with the dentist and local clinics. The annals include photographs.

This sub-series is comprised of records related to the legal transactions of the Sisters during their time in Guatemala. This includes correspondence with the Sisters’ lawyer regarding the deed of land used for their convent and school as well as the deed of land; a description of the buildings; and vehicle information. There is also a 1979 statement of intent which outlines the wishes of the Sisters for the school to remain named the Colegio San José and for it to be kept as a place of formal education. There is an official transfer of ownership agreement, whereby the Sisters relinquished control of the school to the Capuchin Sisters. There is also a 1980 power of attorney granted to Father James Beaudry, which gave him signing power in order to assist with the agreement made between the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Capuchin Sisters. A file of Sisters’ travel documents also comprises this series. These documents include various customs papers.

This sub-series consists of records related to several Guatemalan events both during and after the Sisters’ time there. Some of these materials are related to the Colegio San José, including an honour of merit award for the school’s 20th anniversary, a 25th anniversary address, and a recognition of devotion award given to the Sisters on school’s 40th anniversary. There are also materials related to the Silver Jubilee of the Diocese of Zacapa, including a pamphlet and program of events. There are also pamphlets of ceremonies where Sisters in Hamilton bade farewell to those leaving for Guatemala.

This sub-series is comprised of letters related to the Guatemala mission sent to and from the Sisters of St. Joseph during and after their time there. There are letters discussing applications for visas, passports and Guatemala Tourist Cards. There are also several letters of reference for passport applications. Other travel correspondence concerns flight and vaccination information. There is also correspondence between the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Capuchin Sisters of the Third Order. These letters detail how the Sisters’ post-1979 financial support was used. Updates are provided about the Nutritional Centre and Colegio San José, including the number of students enrolled at the school, courses offered, and the number of children and families being served by the Nutritional Centre. There is a 1996 letter from the Nutritional Centre, where photographs of children being cared for were provided. The sub-series also contains correspondence between the General Superior, Sister Marina Flaherty, and Sister Esperanza who worked with the Sisters at the Colegio San José. There are also letters between Sister Marina and the Sisters in Guatemala, in which details about the Guatemala mission and the Hamilton community are exchanged, providing glimpses of the Sisters’ projects and daily lives. Correspondence detailing the 1976 earthquake and the damage it caused to Teculután also form this sub-series. One letter written on February 25th, 1976 by Sisters Aloysia Fischer, Mary O’Sullivan, Madeleine Graf, and Anastasia Ward to Sister Marina Flaherty provides a personal account of the earthquake. Other letters discuss post-earthquake restoration projects and the money which was raised for aid.

This sub-series comprises details concerning expenses and financial initiatives during and after the Guatemala mission. There are expense reports detailing building and transportation expenditures. There is a list of donations sent to Guatemala complete with donor information. Guatemalan children were sponsored through a beca student sponsorship program that helped cover educational costs. Information about donations and aid recipients in this program is provided. There is also correspondence discussing the Sisters’ accounts. The Sisters’ continued financial support after they left the mission is recorded in monthly statements and correspondence.

This sub-series is made up of records which detail administrative functions carried out by the Sisters during and after their time in Guatemala. There are class lists of students who attended the Colegio San José. A report outlining various educational programs and ideas it is included, which discusses catechetics, adult education, the Christian Children’s Fund and the Guatemala Education Bursary. Another report discusses the different methods that can be used to evangelize the Guatemalan community. There is also an orientation program for a conference attended by those working in Latin America. This conference aimed at exploring the roles that North Americans played in Latin America, as well as their motivations for service. A letter and pamphlet from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (CCODP) outlines the hardships of the Guatemalan people and the steps the organization has taken to assist and support local groups fighting for social justice, such as the National Coordinating Committee of Widows of Guatemala. The letter also briefly outlines the history of the Sisters’ mission. A research paper, which resulted from the 1972 General Chapter meeting, discusses the question of uneducated girls being accepted as associates in Guatemala, and whether these girls should be trained at the expense of the community. It also discusses the question of postulants being sent to Canada to the novitiate. A floor plan of Colegio San José’s buildings and grounds also comprises this sub-series.

This sub-series is comprised of minutes of meetings hosted by the Sisters of St. Joseph during their time in Guatemala. The house meeting minutes discuss various house matters, including the purchase of new curtains and a truck, how the earthquake funds should be used, and the hosting of a ‘get together’ for the Feast of St. Joseph. The 1979 Chiquimula meeting minutes detail the steps taken to transfer ownership of the Colegio San José to the Capuchin Sisters of the Third Order.

This sub-series is comprised of promotional materials. There are several pamphlets including ones for Colegio San José, the Children of Guatemala Education Bursary, and Spanish language learning programs. There is also an “Operation Guatemala” booklet outlining how the Hamilton Diocese responded to the 1976 earthquake. The sub-series also contains an annual student newspaper called the Student Echo. This paper provides general updates and information about the school and student body for the years 1995 and 2005.