The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie

What The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie does

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie is a private, non-profit Roman Catholic religious congregation headquartered at the St. Joseph's Motherhouse in North Bay, Ontario, Canada. Founded on November 5, 1936 with 121 founding members, the congregation traces its spiritual heritage to a 1650 founding in Le Puy-en-Velay, France by Jean Pierre Medaille, and is one of three member congregations of the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada (established 1966). It operates as part of the broader Global Joseph Family connecting approximately 7,850 Sisters, 5,700 Associates, and 34 Agrégées across 45 countries. Activities span spiritual programs, healthcare sponsorship, educational ministry, environmental advocacy, and community care delivered across four Northern Ontario locations: North Bay (Motherhouse and headquarters), Sault Ste. Marie (Shalom Place spiritual retreat centre), Sudbury, and Blind River.

The congregation's service portfolio includes Spiritual Programs (retreats, spiritual direction, labyrinth walking, cosmic walk, Zen garden, and Quiet Gardens at the Motherhouse and Shalom Place); a Vocation and Formation Program guiding women through the stages of religious life from inquiry to professed Sister; an Associate Program for lay men and women sharing the congregation's spirituality (established 1986 as Co-Membership Program, renamed 1997); Motherhouse facility rentals (meeting rooms, hospital rooms for visiting families at North Bay Regional Health Centre, and St. Joseph's on the Lake); environmental programs including the Blue Communities water protection initiative (joined 2017) and Laudato Si creation care program; Faith and Justice ministry addressing poverty, ecological justice, and human trafficking through partnerships with Development and Peace, Kairos, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Circle; and Music Ministry spanning liturgical, educational, and performing arts. Historically, the congregation owned and operated hospitals in Sudbury, Thunder Bay, and Elliot Lake; these have been transferred to the sponsorship of Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario (CHCO), with the Sisters retaining mission integration roles. The congregation is currently executing a multi-year transformation to convert the Motherhouse into 'St. Joseph's Neighbourhood,' an inclusive community of care, belonging, and connection extending services beyond professed members to the broader community.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: donations and charitable contributions from supporters and the broader Catholic community; rental income from Motherhouse meeting rooms, hospital rooms for visiting families, and St. Joseph's on the Lake accommodations; and managed services revenue from healthcare sponsorship arrangements with CHCO. The organization is governed by a Leadership Team headed by General Superior Sister Bonnie MacLellan, with no external parent company. Operational scale reflects a smaller paid headcount of 15 employees supporting program delivery, administration, archives, and the ongoing transformation initiative, supplemented by the volunteered service of professed Sisters and Associates.

Name

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie

Legal name

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie

Website

https://csjssm.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie is a Roman Catholic religious congregation headquartered in North Bay, Ontario, operating spiritual programs, healthcare sponsorship, educational ministry, community care services, and environmental advocacy across Northern Ontario within the Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Faith-Based Community Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Religious Orders & Monastic Communities (Monasteries, Convents) (BPAGAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based Social Services & Community Outreach (Food Pantries, Shelters, Counseling) (BPAGAJAG), Faith-Based Healthcare Ministries (Hospitals, Clinics, Medical Missions) (BPAGAJAH), Faith-Based / Nonprofit Assisted Living Providers (HLADABAH)

Keywords

• Religious congregation
• Spiritual programs
• Community care
• Faith formation
• Catholic ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

North Bay, Ontario

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The congregation relies on donations from supporters, benefactors, and the broader Catholic community to fund operations and ministries.
2. Motherhouse Property Rentals: Revenue from rental of meeting rooms, hospital rooms, and St. Joseph's on the Lake property to external parties.
3. Healthcare Ministry Operations: Former hospital ownership transitioned to Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario; congregation maintains mission integration and sponsorship roles in healthcare facilities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie is a Roman Catholic religious congregation that delivers spiritual care, community ministry, and person-centred services through its facilities in Northern Ontario. Its flagship offering is St. Joseph's Neighbourhood, the ongoing transformation of the Motherhouse in North Bay into a community of care, belonging, and connection. Supporting programs include spiritual direction, labyrinth walking, retreats, Motherhouse facility rentals, the Blue Community water-protection initiative, Faith and Justice ministry, Music Ministry, Laudato Si ecological program, Vocation and Formation Program, and the Associate Program for lay companions.

Product overview

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie operates as a Roman Catholic religious congregation offering a portfolio of spiritual, care, and community services. The primary product is St. Joseph's Neighbourhood, a community transformation initiative that converts the Motherhouse into a place of compassionate, person-centred care with spiritual presence. Supporting services include Spiritual Programs (spiritual direction, labyrinth walking, quiet gardens), Motherhouse facility rentals, the Blue Community Initiative for water protection, Faith and Justice ministry, Music Ministry, and the Laudato Si environmental program. The congregation also operates Vocation and Formation Programs guiding women through religious life, an Associate Program for lay companions, and maintains historical healthcare ministry partnerships. The organization is undergoing a transformation journey from traditional religious congregation to an inclusive community model.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Shalom Place: Spiritual programs and retreat center located in Sault Ste. Marie offering spiritual direction and reflections.
• Blue Community

Products and services

• St. Joseph's Neighbourhood A living community rooted in dignity, compassion, belonging, and human connection that transforms the Sisters' Motherhouse into a place of care, belonging, and connection. It provides compassionate, holistic, person-centred care with spiritual and reflective spaces for residents, families, and the broader community.
• Spiritual Programs

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Federation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian Federation established in 1966 to provide mutual support among congregations. Current members include Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto, Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie, and Sisters of St. Joseph in Canada. Shares common history, spirituality, and mission based on St. Joseph relationships.
• Sisters of St. Joseph of TorontocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember congregation of the Canadian Federation, founded 1836. Collaborate on shared mission of active and inclusive love.
• Sisters of St. Joseph in CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerged congregation (2013) of Hamilton, London, Peterborough, and Pembroke. Member of Canadian Federation.
• Catholic Health Corporation of Ontario (CHCO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare sponsorship organization ensuring continuation of Sisters' healing mission. Holds sponsorship of St. Joseph's Health Centre Sudbury, St. Joseph's Care Group Thunder Bay, and St. Joseph's General Hospital Elliot Lake.
• St. Joseph's Health Centre (Sudbury)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare facility formerly owned by Sisters, now under CHCO sponsorship. Continues the Sisters' mission of compassionate care.
• St. Joseph's Care Group (Thunder Bay)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare organization under CHCO sponsorship. Formerly St. Joseph's Hospital, evolved to serve elderly, palliative, addiction, rehabilitation, and mental health programs.
• St. Joseph's General Hospital (Elliot Lake)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital operated by Sisters when mines developed. Now under CHCO sponsorship, continues serving the community.
• Our Lady of Guadalupe CircleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition focused on reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and inculturation of faith. Sister Priscilla Solomon serves in this ministry.
• Development and Peace (DevP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanadian Catholic international development organization. Federation Office of Systemic Justice collaborates on priority issues.
• Kairos: Canadian Ecumenical Justice InitiativesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcumenical coalition focused on justice issues including reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Collaborates on justice and right relations.
• Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) - Canadian Religious ConferenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffice of Canadian Religious Conference working on justice, peace, and environmental issues with religious congregations.
• Blue Communities ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative protecting water as shared commons, sacred gift, and human right. Federation joined in 2017. Supports limiting bottled water use and protecting public water services.
• Huron-Superior Catholic District School BoardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool board in Sault Ste. Marie where Sisters serve as teachers and consultants in elementary and secondary education.
• Global Coordinating GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational coordination of Sisters of St. Joseph worldwide. 7,850 Sisters, 5,700 Associates in 45 countries united in prayer 'listening to the heart of the world'.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/JosephSisters
• Facebookfacebook.com/SistersofStJosephofSSM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sisters-of-st.-joseph-of-sault-ste.-marie

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie