Celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph and the Founding of Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston
September 1845 – September 2020
Whereas In 1845, the Bishop of Kingston, Remi Gaulin, invited the Religious Hospitallers of St. Joseph in Montreal to send Sisters to Kingston to care for the sick, the poor and the most needy here; and
Whereas this was the first foundation beyond Montreal since the arrival of RHSJ Sisters there in 1659; and
Whereas Sister Amable Bourbonnière was chosen to be Foundress of Hotel Dieu Hospital with Sisters Huguette Claire Lastour, Louise Davignon and Emilie Barbari as Assistants; and
Whereas the Mission of Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston, rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is to make visible the compassionate healing presence of God to all persons. We share in this Mission by being a caring and just community. This is expressed through the pursuit of excellence in health service, education and research; and
Whereas the Values aspired to every day and by everyone at Hotel Dieu Hospital are Dignity of the Human Person, Compassion, Justice, Integrity, Excellence; and
Whereas the Mission and Values of Hotel Dieu Hospital are expressed in the spiritual, physical and psychological care offered to the citizens of Kingston and surrounding area without any discrimination regarding religion, race, class or gender; and
Whereas years of renovations and new construction have expanded Hotel Dieu Hospital to offer services to more people and in different ways; and
Whereas Hotel Dieu Hospital, as part of Kingston Health Sciences Centre and supported by the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation, provides quality care, leading innovative research and training of health care professionals of tomorrow; and
Whereas Hotel Dieu Hospital is a member of Catholic Health International and the RHSJ Sisters continue their presence as members of the legacy Board of Directors and through Spiritual Health care services; and
Whereas the RHSJ Sisters, RHSJ Associates, Staff, Physicians and Volunteers actively live the Hotel Dieu Hospital Mission and Values as we work to transform care together for all those we serve;
Therefore, I, Mayor Bryan Paterson, on behalf of Kingston City Council, thank the Religious Hospitallers of St, Joseph, RHSJ Associates, legacy Board of Directors, staff, physicians, and volunteers for their ministry of compassion and excellent care at Hotel Dieu Hospital, and hereby recognize September 2020 to be the 175th Anniversary of the Arrival of the Religious Hospitallers of Saint Joseph and the Founding of Hotel Dieu Hospital Kingston.
Dated at Kingston this 1st day of September 2020.
Bryan Paterson, Mayor
