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This series primarily comprises correspondence, presentations, conference and retreat outlines, meeting minutes, membership information policies, lists of Associates, prayers, and mentorship information.

Agrégées are lay people who commit themselves to an active role with the spirituality of the charism and mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. They make a promise to abide by rules and responsibilities of membership in a non-canonical capacity. The Agrégée is a status in between that of vowed members and Associates and they commit to practicing a discerning life that is open and responsive to the movement of the spirit; commit to the spirit of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to their personal situation; participate in congregational meetings; make a financial investment in the community according to their personal situation; attend regular retreats; and attend to her spiritual life. There are still many unknowns about the program; it is an organic, evolving model. This series contains information on the Agrégées program, including the constitution for canonical and non-canonical members comparing the two roles, a history of how the Agrégées program came about, and an interview with two Sisters from 2011 regarding the program.

Other materials in this series include information about mentorship Animators. The Animators are senior Associates who have been committed Associates for at least three years. Included in this series are administrative materials detailing the roles and responsibilities of Animators, and how to select and endorse Animator and Associate Animator candidates. Also included are lists of nominees for these positions, and the final lists of the chosen Animator and Associate Animators.
This series also includes both Congregational leadership and Associate leadership correspondence and minutes of Leadership Team conference calls.

Mentors assist the London Site Associate community by supporting Animators and Core Team Members as they fulfill their leadership responsibilities. Also included in this series are the Mentor Evolution Circle meeting minutes and information about the roles and responsibilities of Mentors.

This series contains records related to the celebration of jubilees of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the diocese of London, in Ontario. The records are from Ontario and Alberta, where the Sisters had a mission since 1922. Materials in this series include photographs, videos, speeches, reflections, historical sketches, news clippings, hymns, programs, invitations, and cards.

The series contains records documenting the various activities of the London Donations Committee. These include charitable donations in Canada and abroad, educational bursaries given predominantly to community members in London and southwestern Ontario, as well as donor awards and recognitions received by the Sisters of St. Joseph. Records include administrative correspondence, annual reports, newsletters, press clippings, a magazine, photographs, certificates, and a plaque.

The Charism Connection is the ceremony that involves laypeople taking vows to be guided by the charism of the Sisters by which they become Associates. There is a commitment ritual in which the incoming Associates pledge to pray and offer love, commit to continual spiritual growth through personal prayer, and join the congregation’s mission of working to achieve unity of neighbour with neighbour and neighbour with God. In return, the Sisters pledge to accept and welcome the Associates, offering them prayers, and encouraging them in spirit. Ceremonial materials such as invitations, agendas, and correspondence regarding commitment are included within this subseries. This subseries also features a questionnaire for potential Associates that determine the readiness for the commitment ceremony and a copy of the mutual agreement for the Associate’s relationship between the potential Associates and the Sisters. There is also sheet music of hymns that were sung during the Charism Connection ceremonies. The commitment ceremonies took place in both Windsor and London, Ontario.

This series documents the history of the Associates program and the histories of two congregational houses in London. Textual records created between 2009 to 2017 outline the history of the Associates program, which was approved on July 9, 1987, and launched in London on April 4, 1989. Textual records created in 1999 to 2006 outline the history of the Congregation and Associate presence, training, and retreats at 1294 Baseline Road and 501 Windermere Road in London, Ontario. Included in the series are history timelines, as well as booklets from the Associates’ 20th anniversary, which was held on April 4th, 2009. Also included in this series are correspondence, meeting minutes, and regional updates regarding activities, events, and new Associate members.

This series consists of correspondence and reports relating to the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada, an umbrella organization for the Sisters of St. Joseph congregations in Canada. The Federation’s mission is to support each congregation in living out the charism of active and inclusive love and collaborating globally with other congregations of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The Federation has an Associates/Companions committee that supports and provides a communications network for Associate directors in the three Canadian congregations.

This series contains surveys, survey notes, reports, correspondence, pamphlets and promotional materials, and news clippings. The correspondence includes significant contributions from Sr. Janet Zadorsky who administered the Associates Program after Sr. Doreen Kraemer, and along with reports, focus on meetings and committee members of the Federation. Also included are pamphlets and promotional materials pertaining to events the Federation sponsored. There is a Sudbury region report details the activities of a Federation conference held in Sudbury, Ontario, in May 2017. Finally, there is a survey and summary of the results. The survey was from the Federation to Associate group leaders aiming to collect information on Associate directors to better plan Federation programs and facilitate connection between directors.

The series contains photographs, biographical material pertaining to her election to General Council, her MA in Sacred Theology from Regis College in 1983, her Doctor of Ministry degree from Toronto School of Theology in 1990, her employment at Regis College as Director of the MA in Ministry and Spirituality Program, various news-clippings, a hand painted Feast Day album, a hand painted card from the Precious Blood Sisters in 1979, and various Jubilee memorabilia. The series also contains different versions of Sister Cathleen’s curriculum vitae, a report by her about a pilgrimage she made to Europe and the Holy Land, and a paper written about Sister Cathleen by her grandson, Brandon Graham, in 2017.

Much of this series is made up of reports to the General Chapter from various Sisters in 1979. There is extensive material on the topic of catechetics, religious education and the future for Sisters in parish ministry. In a letter to the Secretary of State, Vatican Apostolic College, Mother Mary Brendan reported on the success of literacy programs provided to Portuguese immigrants in London. A report from the Archdiocese in Edmonton describes the need for a five-year National Religion Program consisting of teams of Sisters providing instruction in Catholic schools, and the involvement of lay people to provide instruction to adults.

A report on the activities of the St. Joseph’s School of Music 1975-1979 discusses the renovation of the Recital Hall, instruction in piano, singing, violin and music theory for 390 students annually, participation in the Royal Conservatory of Toronto and the Western Conservatory, a scholarship fund, professional development for the Sisters and the hosting of and participation in local music festivals. A report by one Sister in April, 1979 expresses uncertainty as to the future of the music school.

In early 1979, Mother Mary Brendan wrote to Sisters across the country seeking their views in response to the promulgation of Vatican II, the Pastoral Constitution of the Church in the Modern World. One Sister wrote with concern for the socio-economic interests of the Third World and rising tensions within the Christian communities about how to respond. In another report, Sister St. Patrick Joyce outlined what were novel recommendations for the treatment of alcohol addiction and the concept of detoxification centres. Sisters committed to the continuation of work of the Boulee Street mission which served the needs of a low income neighborhood in London and support for those in jail. In another report, a Sister wrote on the topic of evangelization and Christian renewal in a climate of diversity, pluralism and the attraction to Eastern spiritual disciplines. In another report, one Sister called for an increased commitment to youth and adults through solid religious instruction and the teaching of prayer. There is also a survey, report, and recommendations prepared for the Most Reverend J.N. MacNeil by the Ad Hoc Committee for Pastoral Assistants in the Archdiocese of Edmonton, February 1979 outlining the scope of work and hiring of pastoral assistants to aid priests in their work.

On the topic of the higher incidence of divorce and the Marriage Tribunal, Sisters recommended that more women study, teach and write about the Canon law conventions and procedures in jurisprudence. There are several reports outlining emergent changes within the healthcare system related to governance, administration, funding, personnel, medico-moral issues, medical treatments, and technology. Sisters confirm there was a common need for continued pastoral care at the hospitals in London, Sarnia, and Windsor. It was observed that there were increasing needs for retreats for Sisters and lay volunteers offered by the Medaille House in London and for societal formation, or a reorientation to religious life.

This series contains sixteen speeches written by Mother Mary Brendan and a paper she wrote for the Synod on the role of religious women in the community through teaching, hospital care, administration, and social work. Certificates of her educational achievements and professional memberships dating from 1947 to 2001 are included along with a certificate she received with a medal from Queen Elizabeth.
 

The subseries contains administrative correspondence regarding bursaries for educational purposes. In particular, there is correspondence confirming the receipt of applications as well as confirming approval of bursary applications. The records are in alphabetical order by applicant surname.