This is my first hide and this cache is being placed in tribute to the Misericordia Sisters. I thought this little park near Misericordia would be the perfect little spot.
Description: You're looking for a small camoed pill bottle. Contains writing utensil. No room for tradeables.
Congrats to JB and Jean Déniche on the FTF!
History:
The Misericordia Sisters began their service here in Winnipeg in 1898. The Sisters played a strong role in the community, taking care of young single mothers and their babies. Their commitment was to serve, a true reflection of their motto: Compassion of the heart for those in need. The need for their caring service quickly grew. Their early days foreshadowed the development of expanded service that would bring the Sisters’ health-care provision to a new and broader base. Their facility, owned and operated by the Sisters, eventually expanded and became known as the Misericordia General Hospital.
Four Misericordia Sisters journeyed from Montreal to Winnipeg on December 1, 1898. Their goal was to set up a safe, healthy environment for single mothers and their infants and provide them with care and instruction so they could eventually function on their own. The Sisters began their work in a small house in St. Boniface, overcoming many hardships, and eventually purchased property on Sherbrook Street and Ida (now Wolseley). Construction on the Winnipeg Maternity Hospital was completed in 1900.
The Sisters flourished in their new surroundings; their knowledge of midwifery and how to safely deliver babies was passed onto many doctors over time. Soon, the Winnipeg Maternity Hospital’s patients were outgrowing the space. A home for single mothers and their children, as well as an orphanage with 100 children, were established in St. Norbert.
In response to the growing medical and surgical needs of Winnipeg residents, the Winnipeg Maternity Hospital became Misericordia Hospital in 1917 and began to admit men.
The Sisters’ opened the Misericordia School of Nursing in 1916; graduates were highly sought after, primarily due to their faith-based training.
Single mothers and their children lived at the hospital until 1958. Three houses – referred to as Rosalie Hall – were used as temporary residences until 1965 when Villa Rosa was built in Wolseley. Post-natal care and supports for young families in the community were enhanced in 1998 when Wolseley Family Place – a family resource drop-in centre – was established.
The 1990s brought much change in health care. The Misericordia School of Nursing closed in 1997 and Misericordia’s focus evolved from acute care to delivering community-based services. Misericordia General Hospital celebrated its centennial in 1998. To mark this historical occasion and the facility’s evolution, Misericordia General was changed to what we are today: Misericordia Health Centre.
The remaining Sisters lived in our new personal care home, Misericordia Place, from 2000 until their departure for their Motherhouse in Montreal in 2004. A visible legacy – an illuminated cross on our Cornish building – was installed to commemorate the Sisters. The Sisters remain actively involved in the facilities they established, including Misericordia Health Centre, through their involvement in annual Heritage Group Collaborators’ meetings.