Sisters of Charity ic

SOLIDARITY RITUAL CALLS FOR JUSTICE

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick - Sisters, Associates and friends honoured Solidarity Sunday March 22 during liturgy in Carmel Chapel at Ruth Ross Residence. Each year on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, they offer a ritual as part of the Share Lent campaign of Development and Peace-Caritas Canada.

The theme of the 2026 campaign was, “On Track for Justice”. It focused on a Development Peace partner in northeast Brazil seeking justice from toxic mining and agricultural practices. To escape widespread pollution damaging their health and environment, many residents relocated to another area.

During the solidarity ritual, symbols included a mask (pollution); large nail (sacrifices/suffering); empty basket (loss of crops and biodiversity) and mustard seeds (hope for tomorrow). Prayers of the faithful focused on peace with justice for people and planet.

(left to right Sandra Barrett, scic, Janice Robinson, Anita Naves, scic, Lynaya Astephen, Audette Richard,scic, Muriel Buckley,scic and Roma DeRobertis,scic)

Black History Month

On Wednesday, February 25th, Sisters, Associates, friends and staff gathered in Carmel Chapel to celebrate the Anniversary of Black History Month in Canada and welcome guests from the New Brunswick Black History Society. This year’s theme is “30 Years of Black History Month: Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations — From Nation Builders to Tomorrow's Visionaries.”

Mutiat Adeleke (Project / Centre Coordinator), Dr. Ralph Thomas (Co-founder and Program Director) and two students,Maryam Mustapha and Alamin Adeleke , shared history and personal experiences. Mutiat highlighted that Beaver Harbour, New Brunswick (only 70 km from Saint John) was an intentional community of racial equality established by Quaker Loyalists and the first place in British North America (1783) to declare that slave owners were not welcome. This was 80 years before the Emancipation Proclamation.

Maryam and Alamein spoke of their gratitude about moving from Nigeria to Canada, as well as the adjustments experienced with a different culture and educational system. Not to mention the weather! Yet each one was positive and quietly enthusiastic about being in Canada. So much so that they set aside time to volunteer amid their studies. Maryam is preparing to study nursing and Alamein for computer science.

(left to right~ Dr. Ralph Thomas, Maryam Mustapha, Mutiat Adeleke, Alamin Adeleke)

UNITING FOR THE COMMON GOOD

Sisters, Associates and guests gathered Jan. 21 to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in Carmel Chapel at Ruth Ross Residence in Saint John, New Brunswick.

During a time of prayer and small group conversation, Rev. Mary Wanamaker was “interviewed” by Roma De Robertis, SCIC congregational leader. With humour and passion, she called for a broad understanding of unity which highlights our shared humanity and commitment to the common good. [Read More]

Associates and Sisters Gather for Presentation on Vincentian Spirituality - You Are My Face in the World

On Saturday, January 10, Sisters and Associates gathered in Carmel Chapel for an afternoon of sharing about the Spirituality of St. Vincent de Paul entitled “You Are My Face in the World”. The reflection included an opening prayer (Monica Brown’s “Be Still and Know”), film “St. Vincent de Paul: A Person of the 17th Century”, the Vincentian Question, 5 Core Values, Associate ministry at Outflow for 10 years, sharing on the experience of the values lived in their lives, and guided prayer on the icon “Vincent and the Beggar”. The afternoon concluded with a visual interpretation of Sister Theresa Hucul’s song “You Are My Face in the World”. The presentation was facilitated by Pat Poole, scic.

Advent Prayer Service

On Thursday, December 4th, several Associates lead an Advent Prayer Service with the Sisters, friends and staff gathered in Carmel Chapel. The service began with our Land Acknowledgment and included an opening prayer from Henri Nouwen, reading of Isaiah 25:8-10, Psalm “The Lord is my Light and my Salvation”, intercessions, time of remembering our loved ones we lost this year and a reflection. The hymns chosen to highlight the theme were “Wait for the Lord” and “Christ be our Light.” Read more...

Praying & Advocating for Human Rights

Sisters and friends in Greater Saint John, N.B. signed Amnesty International letters on or around Human Rights Day -- Dec. 10, 2025. For about 20 years, they and Associates have engaged in the annual Write for Rights campaign. An invitation to pray for human rights and sign letters online was also sent to Sisters and Associates in and beyond New Brunswick. It included an original Prayer for Human Rights which was also offered together in Sisters’ residences.

Click Here to read: PRAYER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

In photo, left to right: Sisters Margaret MacLean (left) and Irene Buechler sign letters at St. Vincent Residence.

EXPLORING PALESTINIAN HISTORY & CULTURE

Dr. Helmi Alfarra, originally from Palestine, was a guest speaker Oct. 27, 2025 among Sisters and an Associate at St. Vincent Residence in Saint John, N.B. He was accompanied by Lynaya Astephen, a local advocate for social and ecological justice.

In Halifax, Dr. Alfarra co-founded the Atlantic Canada Palestinian Society to celebrate Palestinian culture and advocate for justice. Moving to New Brunswick, he established the Atlantic Canada Palestinian Society of Saint John. Goals are to raise awareness about Palestinian history and culture and challenge anti-Palestinian racism in the region.

Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception are committed to learning about Palestine and its peoples while praying for peace with justice there. In November, Dr. Alfarra offered them an artwork piece he created for display in their residence.

As shown in the photo, it features embroidery of the Palestinian flag as well as an olive sprig and red anemone or Palestinian poppy. Sisters plan to continue learning about the land and its peoples through cultural events such as viewing of Palestinian films.

Left to right Muriel Buckley,scic, Dr. Helmi Alfarra, Lynaya Astephen

Blessing the Future

On June 19, 2025, the documentary film “Blessing the Future” was debuted at the BMO theatre in Saint John. The event was hosted by the Greater Saint John Community Foundation with invited guests from many of the Sisters’ partners in mission over the years, as well as sisters and friends. The Sisters of Charity were founded by Honoria Conway and three companions to meet the urgent needs of Irish immigrants who were affected by the cholera epidemic, in Saint John, NB in 1854. They focused on the care and education of children, as well as those who were sick, elderly, and living in poverty. Today, they also focus on social and ecological justice and a commitment to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. They partner with many groups and organizations which share the spirit of their mission, including their Associates who live the charism of Charity in their daily lives. Watch Blessing the Future HERE
(photo~ Unsplash)

Charity Igniting Hope~ Inspiring Action

The Sisters of Charity Federation met in Moncton, NB, on June 2-6th. The gathering brought together leadership members of the 14 congregations from Canada and the United States. This year, members from the Strasbourg Federation, Sr. Maria Michaela Roth of the Congregation of Vienna, and Katrin Geiger and Fanny Douhaire joined the meetings.

In this Jubilee year as “Pilgrims of Hope,” the theme was “Charity Igniting Hope~ Inspiring Action.” Read more...