I was born on October 6, 1934, in Barrhead, Alberta. Early in life, I was inspired by St. John Eudes, founder of the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity, (1641) a missionary priest who devoted himself to helping vulnerable women.
His community came to Edmonton in 1912, and their mission deeply touched my heart. On April 16, 1952, I joined the community, entering through the front doors of the Archdiocese of Edmonton Pastoral Centre, 8421-101 Avenue — the very same doors that still stand today.
I professed my First Vows on March 19, 1955, under Archbishop John Hugh MacDonald, and my Final Vows on March 19, 1958, under Archbishop Anthony Jordan, O.M.I.— both in the chapel at the pastoral centre.
Alongside the traditional three vows, we take a fourth – unique to our vocation: a vow of “Zeal for Souls,” dedicating ourselves to those who are fragile, wounded, and in need of compassion.
“I am just a little leaf on a great tree.”
Sister Norma Johnson, OLCGS
Our main vocation has been serving orphaned children (O’Connell Institute, 1928) and ministering to women and girls in correctional care. In parish ministry, we’ve served in churches including Assumption, St. Michael, Resurrection, and St. Pius in Edmonton, and St. Patrick’s in Winnipeg.
I am a trained and certified pastoral care chaplain, ministering to the sick and dying. I’ve also advocated for new Canadian immigrants, helping families settle and navigate legal challenges—often aiding them in remaining in Canada.
In Edmonton, I was active in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, the Religious Sisters Council, the Board of the Western Catholic Reporter newspaper, as well as ecumenical, interfaith, counseling, and archival work.
Later, in the U.S., I helped combat human trafficking through our Residence of Refuge, working with the FBI. In 2014, I moved to Toronto and spent seven years working in a dementia care home.
After many years away, I returned to Edmonton to support my family in their time of need.
I thank and praise God for the blessing of our property at 8421–101 Avenue. In the spirit of faith, hope, and charity, and for His glory and divine witness, I am deeply grateful to all who have supported the Congregation’s mission through the years, and I remain just a little leaf on a great tree.
-Sr. Norma Johnson OLCGS, 90, is a member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
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