The Nun's Contribution to the School

Until I read Maureen Moloney's history of the school, I was unaware that the Sisters of St. Joseph contributed half a million dollars to build the school from their own savings. That fact astounded me.

In the very first yearbook in 1966, the Sisters of Saint Joseph were honoured with this page with pictures of the Superior General and Mother Superior.

(click for larger image)

Here is an excerpt from Maureen Moloney's history of the school:

The Sisters of St. Joseph were an educational presence in Oshawa since 1858. The Sisters taught at three elementary separate schools and played an important spiritual role in the community. The story of Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School cannot be told without detailing the major effort of the Sisters who were willing to accept teaching positions at the newly formed St. Joseph’s High School, on Simcoe Street North in 1962.

With the original start-up class of just Grade Nines, Sister Mary Sheila (principal) and Sister Constance faced the growing pains of the beginning of this new vision for Catholic education in Oshawa. With Monsignor Dwyer and the Oshawa Separate School Board’s assistance, they prospered in growth and support from the community. They remained at St. Joseph’s H.S. for an additional two years until Oshawa Catholic High School opened in September 1965.

At O.C.H.S. the Sisters of Joseph – Toronto Archdiocese, willingly agreed to finance half of the $1 million construction cost of the school. The local parishes were responsible for the other half. The Sisters functioned as principals, teachers, secretaries, cooks and cleaners. They totally re-invested their salaries into the school to keep it from severe debt, yet it operated it at a loss. Still they remained committed to Catholic education regardless of the on-going challenges that they faced.

It was the Sisters’ hope that the high ideals and academic excellence which were implemented and nurtured through the years would continue to motivate all involved at Paul Dwyer Catholic High School. Sr. Mary Sheila visited the school many times after 1967 and was joyful to “have seen these ideals fostered, encouraged and achieved.”

The work of the St. Joseph’s religious community continued through principals, Sister Conrad Lauber (1967 – 1979) and Sister Anne Schenck (1979 – 1988) leading the way in Catholic education, especially through the lean years.

The Sisters are being honoured again at the 50th Anniversary celebrations. In the contact box of this blog, you will find the link for the 50th Anniversary website, or see the blog entry below.