Bishop Ryan, urged Father Dowdall on getting the Sisters to form a foundation in Pembroke. With the establishment in Pembroke of the Sisters of St. Joseph for the Diocese of Pembroke and the opening of the new parish of St. John`s at the west end, the requirement for teachers was one of the first needs to be met by our newly formed Congregation.
For some years prior to the creation of St. John the Baptist parish, the erection of a separate school in the west ward of Pembroke had been contemplated by the separate school board.
The presence of the three largest industries in the west end, and in particular, the marked increase in population consequent to the opening of the Eddy Company`s factory in 1921, made it possible to accommodate all Catholic school children in Pembroke. The school that was built was modern in every respect and classified as a Grade 1 school by the Department of Education
With the opening of the new parish of St. John at the town`s west end, the requirement of teachers for the school was one of the first needs to be met by the newly formed Congregation.
St. John`s School, which was named Holy Name School in 1941, was an elementary School which served the sections between Christie street as well as north side of the Indian River along with parts of the townships of Alice, Fraser and Petawawa. Holy Name school became distinguished under the direction of Sisters Beatrice O`Leary, Mary Immaculate Casey, St. Agnes Shruder, Clare Burke, Carmelita Bryne, Alice Leclair and the many Sisters who assisted them from 1923 to 1998.
When the school opened in January 1923 there were 180 pupils. In addition to academic subjects, the Sisters taught instrumental and vocal music. Sisters Helen Smaggus, Eileen Rooney, and Lucille Durocher were some of the music teachers, with the latter teaching piano in school from 1963 to 1988. Sisters also served as principals, staff, or assistant staff. They worked as well in St. Patrick`s, Bishop Smith, and Cathedral Schools. From Pembroke Motherhouse, for a period of five years. Sisters commuted daily to teach at St. Joseph`s at the foot of Allumette Island, Quebec.
Sister Camilla Cully was outstanding in her capacity to organize ant to educate over many years. She was on staff for 17 years, and served as principal at Holy Name School for 15 of those years. For its first 40 years, the school pupil`s ratio was always high, reaching 50 t0 55 in the late 40`s and 50`s, years when many families sought education after World War 11.
An integral part of the whole parish, the school filled many and varied roles. All matters such as choirs and sanctuary boys were duly attended in cooperation with the parish priests.
Pupils in grades 3 to 5 were trained to sing for weddings and funerals, with Latin being the language used for the liturgy.
The development of their pupils was the interest of the Sisters, who taught full-time and attended to principal`s duties as well. These dedicated, and generous women served the `dear neighbour`` in the poorest areas of Pembroke.
Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada Archives