St. Mary’s Hospital, Camrose Alberta as it looked from 1924 to 1948.
BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST
St. Mary’s Hospital in Camrose Alberta celebrated its 100th anniversary on October 24th. The annals, a type of diary, kept by the Sisters living at St. Mary’s Hospital begin on October 29th, 1924. Let’s celebrate the hospital’s centenary by looking at some of the early entries in the annals:
October 29, 1924 – Sister Mary Alban arrived at 4:30A.M. to join Sister Mary Clotilda, Superior, and Sister Mary Matilda who had come a week before. The evening brought a heavy snow fall which made the roads bad especially going out to Mass.
October 30, 1924 – The day was spent opening boxes, unpacking furniture, trying to place it, picking our way among workmen of all trades.
November 7, 1924 – It is the first Friday – Sisters Mary Alban and Matilda went to 7:30 Mass and the holy hour in the evening. The plumber brought the sterilizers from Daysland; how disappointed we were to find out we had not the fittings to attach the steam which means a delay of two weeks. Fortunately Sister Mary Mercy had sterilized a supply of goods before they were disconnected in Daysland.
November 8, 1924 – We started out for Mass. The wind was so cold and strong we had to turn back unable to go on.
November 9, 1924 – Sunday – Mass in church 8:30. How delighted we were to hear Father say, “one Mass next Sunday will be at the hospital.” Thanks be to God.
November 12, 1924 – A red letter day – Mass in our own chapel in honour of St. Joseph. … At 6P.M. Dr. Craig called to say he had an emergency case for Operation if possible. Everyone got busy preparing a room. Mrs. Edward Kremin, Ohaton was the patient – ruptured appendix. Dr. Craig Surgeon, Dr. P.F. Smith Anaesthesiologist, Sister Mary Mercy assistant, Sister Mary Alban and Miss Green circulating. Another problem – who will stay up with the patient. Sister Mary Alban solved that problem.
