1857: Elisabeth Bruyère traveled to Buffalo, NY. She was accompanied by four professed sisters and one postulant. It was the opening of the first United States mission where the sisters would be involved mainly in education, but would also do home visits to the needy and the sick.
19th century: Plattsburgh, Ogdensburg, Hudson, Medina, all in NY state; Lowell (1880) and Haverhill (1885) in Massachusetts, received the sisters and entrusted their children, the needy, the sick, the elderly, the orphans and the French-Canadian immigrants to them. As early as 1887, a nursing school ensured a good formation in health care.
20th century: The early part of this century saw the beginnings of a civic hospital in Ogdensburg, NY, and another in Plattsburgh, NY. In 1930, it is St. Joseph Hospital in Lowell, MA. In 1952, a modern school at Ste. Jeanne d'Arc in Lowell replaced the old school founded in 1910 and responded to new educational needs. During this time, the sisters also staffed Notre Dame de Lourdes School and St. Joseph High School in Lowell.
From 1950 - 1979, the sisters could be found in Louisiana. Church Point, Kaplan, Gueydan, Lafayette, Erath welcomed them for education, catechetics, Bible courses and religious education.
21st century: Even if the events of history have obliged us to close several of our schools and health care institutions, we continue our mission in education in many ways in Massachusetts. The cry of the poor is still heard, and the elderly are cared for at D'Youville Senior Care Center in Lowell, MA, founded in 1960. The sick receive compassionate care at Saints Medical Center, a community hospital in Lowell, sponsored by the congregation. Ste. Jeanne d’Arc School in Lowell continues under the leadership of the sisters since its foundation in 1910. Bachand Hall offers hospitality to young women students who seek support on their journey.
