Mother Catherine Walsh

Foundress of St. Joseph's School for Boys - 1912

Entered:	August 26, 1882
Holy Habit:	August 27, 1882
Profession:	September 8, 1884
Died:	April 23, 1925

 

 

 

"Katie -- the day before entering convent"

Sister Catherine Walsh

Born in Chatham, New Brunswick, January 18, 1864.

Eldest of six children, two of who died in infancy (one sister, two brothers). When she was six, the family moved to Chicago.

After the great fire of Chicago in 1872, Mrs. Walsh returned to Chatham with the children while Mr. Walsh remained and continued his work in the city. He soon returned to Chatham but died shortly after.

When Mrs. Walsh’s own children grew up, she cared for several orphans.

She died in Hotel Dieu Hospital after her both daughters had become religious.

Catherine attended school in Chatham and went to the Provincial Normal School at age sixteen.

She entered the novitiate (Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph) on August 26, 1882.

She taught school until 1894, and from then on to 1915, she held the offices of Superior and Mistress of Novices alternately.

During her office of Superior (1897-1903) she was instrumental in establishing an academy (1909-1915). She carried out plans of constructing the hospital.

In 1912, she opened St. Joseph’s Preparatory School for Boys.

In 1914, she went to Windsor, Ontario as Mistress of Novices for one year.

In 1915, she was named Director of Studies at the Academy.

In 1918, she went to Campbellton as superior.

Shortly after fire destroyed the school and hospital, she carried out the construction of the new Hotel Dieu Hospital in Campbellton, NB.

She returned to Chatham in 1921 due to failing health.

In 1923, when her health was restored she was named Admitting Officer at the hospital and also promotor of hospital standardization.

In 1925, Sister Walsh was sent to Montreal for treatment, but she did not recover and died on April 23, 1925.