As the parish of St Joseph celebrated its patronal feast on March 19 the community took the opportunity to pay special tribute to the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny on the occasion of their 200th anniversary. Rose C Osuji sent the following report.

The Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny arrived in Trinidad in 1836. In 1870 the St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph was founded. Since their arrival, the Sisters have been involved in a variety of activities: education, prison ministry, parish activities, prayer life, visiting the sick, evangelisation etc.

Their endeavour in education started with the all-age Curepe Fatima Girls’ RC. Only girls attended the school except in the infant section. The other schools they started included: St Joseph’s Convent for girls, St Joseph’s Girls’ RC and St Xavier’s Private School.

St Joseph’s Convent and St Joseph’s Girls’ Catholic School were accommodated in a three storied wooden building located on the present courtyard of the Convent school.

This also served as a boarding school. This structure was inadequate for the student population at that time and so a new Girls’ primary school was erected where the present one is located.

The Catholic Boys’ School known then as Eligon School was located on the grounds of the present residence of the Sisters. With the construction of a new boys’ school on Abercromby Street, the boys having been relocated, the Sisters acquired and renovated the old building for their residence. They also built a secondary school on the land which was originally the playing field.

However, these schools except St Xavier’s School, are no longer under their jurisdiction. Lay administrators now manage them. The last Cluny Sister to be principal of the secondary school was Sr Philip Geofroy.

She has since gone abroad to study for work in formation, in which she will be involved on her return. Some Cluny Sisters who ran the school in the past included: Mother Anthony, Sr Gabriel Gaston Johnston, Sr Mel Kenny, Sr Theresa Corbie and Sr Anne Marie Rodriguez.

The SJC community at St Joseph

Sr Christina Ali and Sr Annetta Alexander receive orchid gifts from the parish community

Over the years these schools have been among the best schools in the country and have produced many national scholars.

These past students as well as many others are scattered all over the world making meaningful contributions in various spheres of life.

The present Junior Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Christine Sahadeo, is a past student of St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph.

Over the years they have worked faithfully and dedicatedly under different parish priests.

The parish was first run by the Augustinian Fathers followed by the Holy Ghost Fathers. The Dominican Fathers are now in charge of the parish.

Currently, some of the Sisters are still involved in education. Sr Annetta Alexander is the present principal of St Xavier’s Private School.

She also teaches part time with the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies in the area in their Teaching of Reading Programme. She is also the Commissioner of the Girl Guides Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Prior to Sr Annetta, Sr Ann Marie Kernahan was the principal for many years. It was under her that the current school building and the school hall were constructed.

The Sisters have a Convent in Santa Margarita where they offer accommodation to students who attend the Hugh Wooding Law School close by.

With the formation of the St Joseph of Cluny Associates (a group of lay people who joined them in the call to holiness and evangelisation) they intend to continue their work of doing “the Will of God “as espoused by their Foundress, Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey in the parish and beyond.

Sisters, congratulations and many more anniversaries as we look forward to many more years of active service from and in collaboration with you. May God continue to bless you and your work.