Anglican Mission Sisters Report, September 1961

Archives Corner featured in the January 2011 edition of the New Brunswick Anglican

Once again it is time to write a leaflet-and this time it really has to be a ‘Farewell’. Twenty-five years ago, on September 21st, I began my work in Saint John, and I look back on those years with very deep thankfulness. I remember having 75 years as an age limit in which to work, and the dear God has been very good to me and allowed me to go on into my 78th year. I would love to be allowed to go to 80! - but as many of you know, having got splendidly through last winter’s work in all the ice and snow — and only missing 3 days — I suddenly collapsed on Palm Sunday and knew nothing until the next day when I found myself in hospital. Well! I have at last had to admit my age has caught up with me — (so one of the supervisors told me in hospital) — and I am afraid my working days are to a large extent done, but not my ‘praying’ days, that is the wonderful secret. Then too, if I cannot get around to people so often they can come to me, and so long as our People’s Fund is not empty I can provide them with the bus tickets and an occasional taxi when a parcel of clothing is too heavy to carry.

The Dominion Store food certificates and Zellers clothing books are a wonderful help — and the telephone a grand opportunity of helping — (and we do manage with a party line). Now, in thinking of Christmas, while no appeal will go out, and I will not be around ‘begging’, yet I can promise that anything that comes to us will certainly be used to help people as it always has been, though in a more limited way.

Now, for wonderful news, last year you heard about our little dream house — and now the great news that it is paid for — oh dear it seems almost too good to be true — people have been so kind — and my dear old sister in England (older than I) and an unknown cousin have been so generous. The dear God is certainly caring for us just when we need it — and every month we love it more. I don’t want to weary you with it, but do hope some more of you will come and see us before winter sets in, everyone who has been simply loves it — especially the dear little Chapel.

... have had a great time [swimming] in the Bay of Fundy. I was a little timorous the first day I went in May this year, but someone assured me “you will be alright — this is your tonic...” And truly it is my tonic, and I hope to keep on until winter, and begin again in May. Sister Mary shivers and says “You are welcome to it”! but she gets her recreation in the garden, and has done a wonderful job this year, the flowers are lovely — and 7 apples on our little apple tree — we count them carefully and so far none have disappeared. The birds are having their breakfast outside Chapel when we are saying Office and they peep in at us through the window. ..

I did think of writing a resume of my 25 years experience but have decided against it as it would be too personal! So will close with a very, very big ‘Thank you’ to all who have made possible the little bit of work we have been able to do between 1936 and 1961. My one hope is we may have sown the seed for young sisters to start in New Brunswick and nothing would give me greater joy than somewhere — somehow — this might be brought about. There is so, oh so much, for sisters to do and I know sisters would receive a welcome all over the diocese. We have been able to prove that if we take our dear Lord at His word He will never see us in need, and life is just one interesting adventure for Him.

… Now just how much will I be doing from now on — well! Just as much as my head will allow — I am keeping 80 years as my goal now!! Last winter there were so many sick people in the hospital that I was there almost every day — but buses are a great help from here, stopping as they do right opposite the door. I just can’t sit down and take care of myself!! That wouldn’t suit me at all! But I will try to be sensible so I can carry on longer than if I went as hard as I did last winter.

You will remember how very thankful I am for having been allowed to spend 25 years in New Brunswick, won’t you? I have been to every Deanery in the Diocese and taken 99 Children’s Missions and Vacation Schools — I did want to make it 100 but had to spell ‘disappointment’ with an ‘h’ [health] at the last minute.

May we find each day some opportunity to “give out” to other people. 

 

 

 

 

ARCHIVISTS’ NOTE:

Some Anglicans will recall the two Anglican Missions Sisters, who worked out of the Mission Church in Saint John. Sister Sheila (born Ida Wynyard MacVicar to a wealthy family in Lincolnshire, England) came to Saint John in 1935 and Sister Mary (born Edith Victoria Deacon of St. Stephen, NB) joined her a year later. It was a shared ministry. Sister Sheila “wanted to be in the community and help out all of those who needed help” while Sister Mary was the stay-at-home sister who assisted Sheila in every way (cooking, cleaning, mending, sorting contributions to their mission etc.) and enabled her to be in the community (Valerie Evans). Indeed, they visited hospitals, nursing homes, jails — wherever there was a need. Both lived selfless lives, giving out of their own poverty. Sister Sheila died in 1967 and Sister Mary died in 1990. Mission Church has honoured their lives and work with a stained glass window and by opening the Sister Sheila Manor (a seniors’ residence) in 1989.

Sources : Valerie Evans, “A Sister to all” (New Brunswick Reporter, January 17, 2004) for background. The complete Anglican Mission Sisters report is found in the Kindness Club fonds (MC289) at the Provincial Archives.

“Archives Corner” is prepared by Twila Buttimer (twila.buttimer at gnb.ca ) and Frank Morehouse (frankm at nbnet.nb.ca). Contact them if you have questions or comments or records for the Archives.

Diocesan Communications

18 January 2011