Sisters of Providence having a picnic on the grounds, Providence Motherhouse, Kingston ON
Closest table from Left to Right: Sr. Mary Philip Allen, unidentified, unidentified, Sr. Mary Therese Doyle, unidentified, Sr. Mary Blanche Corrigan, Sr. Mary Urban Mulholland, and Sr. Mary David Moran. Between 1954 and 1966.
Ever since the Sisters of Providence purchased the Heathfield property in June 1930, they have been enjoying picnics on the grounds, as shown by these examples from the Congregational Annals.
August 18, 1930 – The Mistress and her Postulants together with other Sisters, to the number of 18, went out to the farm for a picnic. [Before the Motherhouse was built, the Heathfield property was known as “the Farm”.]
July 19, 1932 – Feast of St. Vincent de Paul. Novices and Postulants had a picnic supper over beyond the hedge at the rear of the house. [Since 1969 the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul is celebrated by the Catholic Church on September 27th, but before 1969 his feast day was July 19th and was a holiday for the Sisters.]
July, 1939 – The Novices availed themselves of the Feast of St. Vincent by having a picnic in the grove. The special menu in honour of the day, was appreciated by all. It included chicken, raspberry shortcake, ice cream etc.
July 10, 1943 – The Novices had their picnic on the Feast of St. Vincent.
June 11, 1957 – We had our first picnic supper in the grove. Until today the weather has been too cold.
June 25, 1973 – We had our first outdoor meal of the season to observe the feast days of the sisters which occur in May, June, July and August. A hot chicken supper with strawberries for desert tasted “finger licking good” on the patio at the ambulance entrance.
June 25, 1983 – The feast day celebrations for those with feasts in July and August took the form of a picnic supper in the therapeutic park. Both the gazebo and the picnic tables on the lawn were used for this first gathering in the new park.