BY VERONICA STIENBURG, ARCHIVIST
The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul taught at St. Michael’s High School in Belleville from 1930 to 1960. The congregation served the community in Belleville through various ministries from 1900 to 2013.
Sr. Mary Matthew entered the Sisters of Providence at age 16 in 1911. She completed high school at Maryvale Abbey in Glen Nevis. After graduating from Ontario Teachers’ College in Ottawa, she taught elementary students in Trenton, Kingston, Tweed and Smiths Falls. In 1930 when St. Michael’s High School in Belleville was established, she was appointed to the staff in charge of science and mathematics. Except for four years at Maryvale Abbey High School, Glen Nevis, she spent the remaining 35 years of her life in Belleville. During these years she obtained her B.A. from Queen’s University by taking classes in the summers. In 1960 Nicholson College replaced the old St. Michael’s High School and Sister Mary Matthew had the pleasure of fitting up and enjoying a modern, well-equipped Science Lab. Sister Mary Matthew died in 1965.