Mother Mary Roselle Mistal

Mother Mary Roselle Mistal was elected vice provincial superior of Holy Name of Mary Vice Province in March 1977. Membership in the vice province totaled 56 sisters with 11 on loan from the Buffalo province. Of 67 professed sisters, 51 were engaged in the educational apostolate. The sisters' expertise in classroom management and pedagogy was acknowledged by school boards that employed them in positions of broader responsibility.

In several locations, parish ministry became a full-time apostolate, as well as at the diocesan level. And the sisters were involved in retreat ministry at two foundations: Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre in Mississauga and Mt. Alverno Renewal Centre in Orangeville.


With a median age of 39 years, most members of the Canadian foundation were in good health, but if necessary, sisters were admitted to Villa Maria Infirmary in Buffalo, New York. For years, the vice province provided relief nursing personnel. For that reason, Mother Roselle declared the conversion of a $125,000 loan toward the construction of an extension to Buffalo's healthcare facility into a grant.

With greater diversity in apostolic services, the administration faced critical decisions regarding placement of sisters. Closures occurred while the administration struggled to increase the size of local communities to gain the benefits of religious group living. Eventually, four local houses were established, including one in the Northwest Territories.

Mother Roselle and her council undertook building an addition to the motherhouse which was completed in 1983.