In 1971 the Government of Canada adopted Multiculturalism as an official policy, the first country in the world to do so. In 1982 multiculturalism was recognized as part of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In 2002 the Government designated June 27 as Canadian Multiculturism Day, a day to honor the multicultural fabric of our country.
The Census of 2021 reported that Canada has over 450 ethnic and cultural origins by participants. This day calls us to recognize and embrace these diverse cultures that have helped to build a strong and vibrant Canadian society. It is also a time to celebrate the many significant contributions that Canadians of different cultural backgrounds have made to our society.
En 1971, el Gobierno de Canadá adoptó el multiculturalismo como política oficial, siendo el primer país del mundo en hacerlo. En 1982 el multiculturalismo fue reconocido como parte de la Carta Canadiense de Derechos y Libertades. En 2002 el Gobierno designó el 27 de junio como Día Canadiense del Multiculturalismo, un día para honrar el tejido multicultural de nuestro país.
El Censo de 2021 informó de que Canadá tiene más de 450 orígenes étnicos y culturales por participantes. Este día nos llama a reconocer y abrazar estas diversas culturas que han ayudado a construir una sociedad canadiense fuerte y vibrante. También es un momento para celebrar las muchas contribuciones significativas que los canadienses de diferentes orígenes culturales han hecho a nuestra sociedad.
These two great women of Mercy faithfully carried out the works of Mercy as if there were dozens of sisters in the Newfoundland Mercy community – continuing in school and visiting the sick and poverty-stricken in their homes and in St. John’s Hospital (located near present-day Victoria Park). In June of 1947 when St. John’s was in the throes of a severe typhus epidemic, they closed school and devoted themselves entirely to visiting and caring for the sick. It was at St. John’s Hospital that Sister M. Joseph caught the dreaded fever from a young seaman who was suffering great physical and spiritual anguish. Despite the medical services of physicians and the loving care of Sister M. Francis, Sister M. Joseph died after two weeks of suffering the torments of the disease. She was 48 years of age and had only been a Sister of Mercy for four years.
At her reception into the Novitiate on August 2 of that same year she received the name Sister Mary Patrick Ligouri. A local newspaper, The Newfoundlander, in its August 3,1865 issue, reported on her Reception Ceremony, noting that a couple of her brothers “our respected townsmen, the Messrs. Farrell” had emigrated to Newfoundland from Ireland and were well established in the business community of St. John’s by the time their sister arrived.
She was received into the novitiate and given the name Sister M. Camillus Joseph on the feast of Our Lady of Mercy in the same year. Her novitiate companions were Sister M. Ligouri Carmody and Sister M. Ignatius Guinane, two young women from Limerick, Ireland, along with another Newfoundlander, Sister M. Clare Tarrahan, who haentered the community a year earlier.
Mary Ellen’s religious name was Sister Mary de Chantal, a name that became legendary over her nearly sixty years of Mercy ministry in Newfoundland. In September 1961, less than a year after her Profession of Vows, Sister M. de Chantal went to Brigus as a member of that founding community. In 1866 she became Superior of Mercy Convent in St. John’s, the second sister to hold that position since the death of Sister Francis Creedon. During her time of office, two new Mercy foundations were established – Conception Harbour and Petty Harbour. In 1861 she went to Burin as Superior of St. Anne’s Convent.
The documentary is the work of film maker, Kevin Moynihan with the financial help of a number of religious orders in Canada. Our congregation has contributed to his work over the years.