It was on this day, the Feast of St Matthew, 21 September 1833, the Brig Ariel arrived in St John's. Under the watchful eye of Master Mariner William Staunton, the Ariel was carrying some very special and history making passengers. Four Presentation Sisters (PBVM) from the Galway Convent were on board. When they set foot on Newfoundland soil, the four Sisters made history as the first English speaking Sisters in Canada. They would also establish the first Presentation Convent outside of Ireland. Therefore, Sister Bernard Kirwan, who was in charge of the Sisters, became the founder of the Presentation Congregation in North America. Lots of history made on the Feast of St Matthew, 21 September 1833.
