The Sisters of St. Martha of PEI

Sister Jovita MacPherson Spiritual Presentation

At our fall meeting, Sister Jovita MacPherson, a member of the St. Martha’s Congregation (Antigonish), spoke of ministering with people in Halifax.

The name of the presentation was, Things I Learned While Working with Folks on the Street.

She is currently living in Sydney, NS, and again she is ministering on the streets. Find out more about Sister Jovita at
https://themarthas.com/cmsb/uploads/sr-jovita_-ministry-story.pdf.

Please click on the link below to see Sr. Jovita’s Zoom Presentation. This will be of special interest to the Associates.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RyWZ4d8UZznkKvkQAmja87iq-VkFvMGc/view?usp=sharing

The Ismael family of Taleb, Kifah, Yazan, Sara and Daniel celebrated their citizenship ceremony, Tuesday November 23, via zoom with a total of 75 participants. They were Permanent Residents for over 4 years since they arrived from Syria as refugees in March of 2017.

Sisters Debbie and Gemma were at the Ismael home to witness the ceremony.

This was a joyful experience as they took the oath of allegiance and sang O Canada with gusto!

Judge Mahoney from Halifax presided over the ceremony and she gave them a wonderful welcome as well as talked to everyone about the rights and responsibilities as Canadian citizens. 

At the end of the ceremony each family had time to get a photo with the judge on computer.

Later on Friday, November 26 a group of Sisters gathered at 47 Conamore Drive to celebrate with them in person.

It was a red and white party with all finger foods in red and white and a beautiful Canadian Welcome cake for all to enjoy. 

The Sisters were delighted to celebrate this milestone in the family’s journey.

The Associates of the Sisters of St. Martha  planned a Memorial Service of Remembrance to celebrate the deceased Sisters and Associates of the Sisters of St. Martha over the past two years. 

They gathered on Friday, Nov. 26  to celebrate  by sharing stories of each person and lighting a Candle of Remembrance before celebrating the Mass together.

Pictured above are members of the Associate Executive- Mary MacLean, Sr. Debbie Peters, Sr. Lauretta White, Sheila MacDonald, Dianne McCarville and Gary Clow.

The Executive meet on the first Wednesday of the month and the full Associate gathering is the fourth Friday of the month.

Both groups meet at The Living Well, located at Martha Place, which is the newest project of the Sisters of St. Martha .

During the months of October and November we are delighted to be hosting a course entitled Living Well: Tending to our Human Needs.

Facilitated by Sister Rosemary, the course topics of understanding our human body, medications, exercise, nutrition, mental health, communicating effectively, embracing aging and finding purpose and meaning in life were offered each week by a qualified presenter in their respective field of expertise.

Here Dr. Janice Keefe presents on Embracing Aging: Managing the Challenges and Finding the Opportunities.

This Centennial Award, funded by the SDU Board of Governors,  was established in 2016 in honour of the 100^th Anniversary of Foundation of the Sisters of St. Martha on PEI. 

This year on November 19, we recognize Emily Cormier, a third year student pursuing her studies in the field of Kinesiology at UPEI, as the recipient of this award. 

Congratulations Emily !

During the months of September and October, Our Lady of Fatima Shrine received an upgrade under the wise consultation of Alan MacPhee.  

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Sculptor Henry Chikoti, his son, home on vacation from his studies, donated his skills to repair the Fatima children and wash the Statue of Our Lady.  

Here is Henry washing down the Madonna.

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When he returns home next summer, he will repaint Our Lady of Fatima and the restoration will be complete.

Members of the Knights of Columbus (Brady Grant, Phillip Beaulac and Luke Pierlot) volunteered to re-install the children while their organization supplied the materials.

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Other Knights Glen Mahar and Stephen LaPierre repaired, painted and re-installed the white cross on the entry sign to the Mount.

David Walsh was hired to remove the old steps and re-design the pathway to the Shrine, remove large stones from the Shrine as well as remove low-hanging branches and dying shrubs to enhance the tidiness, visibility and accessibility to the Shrine.

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The Sisters are delighted with the project and are grateful to these generous men and pray that their families will be richly blessed for their loving service to us.

A project of the Sisters of St. Martha, The Living Well is a place of hospitality providing an inclusive, accepting and supportive environment of respect and compassion.

We believe that all persons have the desire to live a happy and peaceful life.

We believe that we are keepers of a way of life that is in harmony with Earth, our common home that is to be valued and protected.

Responding to evolving needs we offer programs to promote growth, hope and healing to improve one’s well-being and nurture all life making our world a better place.

Located on the first floor of Martha Place, 96 Patterson Drive in Hillsborough Park.

Sober And Friendly Environment – SAFE

Sister Laura Kelly writes: “I bought 9 pumpkins to be carved.

We will have a contest which ends on Friday (October 29th) at end of shift.

Whoever carves what is voted by your peers as the best will win a twenty dollar Tims card.

Anyone from SAFE guests or volunteers is eligible.

Can only use tools provided but allowed to be as creative as you like.

Saturday, December 4 from 10AM until 3PM, the Martha Spirituality Centre offers the opportunity to reflect upon the impact of Mary, the Mother of God on our faith journeys as well as the gifts that others have brought to our lives. This Zoom retreat will be facilitated by Sister Debbie Peters, CSM. Register with srdebpeters52@gmail.com . There will be a one-hour lunch break.  Fee $20.

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Join Sister Joan Campbell for the 4-week Zoom series “Prophets and Kin of Jesus.”  Thursdays, November 25 until December 16 from 6:30-7:45 p.m. We will explore what the gospels say about major New Testament characters whom we meet in the early life of Jesus including Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist and others. Fee $20.  Register with drjoancsm@gmail.com .