USA Papers
Letter from Mother Mary Peter and Painted Leaf with Thanksgiving by Mother Anastasia
September, c1885
This is one of the earliest of a series of letters sent from Mother Mary St Peter from Waseca, USA to her sisters elsewhere in America and back home in England. She describes her impressions of Waseca and of the relatively young community of American SHCJ she lives in community to with, refering to them as 'the brightest, merriest little things you ever saw' and referring to herself as 'the old fogey'! We can also learn about the early days of the foundation from what M.M. St Peter relates, such as the fact that the convent house in Waseca was in such disrepair, the school classes were held in the church for the first two weeks after the SHCJ arrived there.
The second item in this section is a painted leaf and poem written for Thanksgiving. Although no author is given, M.M. St Peter's letter refers to sending M. Anastasia a painted leaf by Mother Agatha. The leaf appears to have been attached to this verse titled 'Bill of Fare' describing a hearty Thanksgiving meal of potatoes and mince pies 'fragrant and toothsome and sweet'. Therefore it seems likely to have been written by either M. Agatha or M. Anastasia using M.Agatha's leaf as decoration.
Correspondence from M. St Peter and M. St John
1888
This interesting letter contains messages from two writers, firstly Mother St Peter and secondly from Mother St John who has forwarded M. St Peter's earlier letter containing verses she has written reflecting on St Walburga, a saint of particular importance to the SHCJ. We do not know who the letter was sent on to after Mother St John, but from the text, it appears to be the Revd Mother Provincial who seems to have requested these verses from M. St Peter, possibly for an event. It is interesting to trace lines of communication between sisters living in convents across the USA during this time and to see an example of an economical use of paper!
Dedication of the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, Rosemont
9th January 1941
This booklet not only records the celebration of Mass and music perfomed at the dedication of Rosemont College's Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, but also provides a detailed account of the building's and those who contributed to its construction, from the architects and construction company to those providing donations.
Although this is not recorded on the booklet itself, it is likely that this document was kept by SHCJ sisters from the European Province (then known as the English Province), who attended this important event.