Sisters of Charity ic

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)

National Indigenous Peoples Day

The Sisters of Charity, I.C. gathered on June 21, 2025, in Carmel Chapel, to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day through ritual, prayer, and song. The event was facilitated by Sister Mary Beth McCurdy, SCIC, coordinator of Indigenous Awareness and Relationships. It included a land acknowledgment, prayers to the Four Directions and a traditional story about the origins of the June Strawberry Moon. Sister Theresa Hucul led the singing of her composition “Solstice,” to welcome the beginning of summer and the group listened to the ancestral Honour Song by internationally known Wolastoqiyik artist Jeremy Dutcher. Sisters are committed to the Truth and Reconciliation process and have engaged with Indigenous presenters and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise, along with participating in dialogues on Indigenous issues. June is also recognized as National Indigenous History Month across Canada. Photo ~ Kate Griffin

Journey of Encounter Synodal Conversations

From June 15-18, 135 participants from across Canada gathered at St. Jerome’s University in Waterloo, ON, for the "Journey of Encounter Synodal Conversations" which focused on making the Church more welcoming and inclusive while addressing our baptismal call and community involvement. The sessions included conversations on Living Out Our Baptismal Call, Who Are We Doing It With?, Growing in Synodality and Walking as Pilgrims of Hope. Associates Mary Ann Kneeland and Donna Schroeter and Pat Poole, scic attended the conference.

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...

ASSEMBLY INSPIRES HOPE AMONG LEADERS

Four Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception from Saint John, N.B. participated in the general assembly of the Canadian Religious Conference May 22-25 in Montreal.

About 190 women and men religious from across Canada gathered for the 2025 assembly at the Sheraton Airport Hotel. Held every two years in French and English, the assembly welcomes leadership teams of Catholic religious communities – both active and contemplative.

Seated in small groups, participants engaged in creative processes, including silent reflection, personal journalling, synod-style table conversation and large group sharing. “Pilgrimage” emerged as a key assembly motif during the church’s Jubilee Year with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”.

Participants also engaged in a collective process to update the CRC’s mission statement. The Montreal-based conference accompanies leaders and other religious community members in their life and mission. It also supports their call to promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation.

Photo by Sister Linda Haydock, SNJM. Sisters of Charity, I.C. from Saint John, N.B. (left to right): Sisters Pat Poole, Roma De Robertis, Mary Ann Maxwell and Laura Hughes.

PARTICIPATING INTERNATIONALLY WITH HOPE THAT TRANSFORMS

Sister Roma De Robertis of Saint John, N.B. participated in an international gathering of leaders of women’s religious communities from around the world May 5-9, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Hosted by the International Union of Superiors General, it came during the UISG’s 60th anniversary year and coincided with the election of Pope Leo XIV.

The congregational leader of Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception joined about 950 women religious for the UISG’s 23rd plenary assembly with the theme, “Consecrated Life: A Hope that Transforms”. The theme flows from this Jubilee Year highlighting our global call to be Pilgrims of Hope.

Based in Rome, the UISG offers support, education and formation among women religious globally. For more about its mission and the assembly, see www.uisg.org

Ten-year Anniversary at Saint John Outflow Ministries

In May 2015 a group of Associates and Sisters served their first meal to those in the city who were in need of a healthy supper on a Sunday night. The now monthly ministry was begun by the Associates as they recognized the many individuals in the city who were living in poverty in the inner city and were also connected to Outflow Ministry. The group began in Saint John, NB, in 2005, offering a simple meal in the city’s uptown King Square~ a hotdog or hamburger.

Today this faith-filled organization serves 600-800 meals a week with its volunteer teams like the Associates and Sisters. They also operate a men’s shelter 365 days a year, 24/7, a community pantry and clothing depot, a social enterprise café and carpentry shop. Our meal is on the first Sunday of each month, serving hot casseroles, fresh rolls, desert, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice which is provided by many friends and family as well. It is a privilege to be part of Outflow’s outreach in the city for these past 10 years. The Charism of Charity is truly alive and vibrant in our Associates! (Photo~ Rowena Doiron)

Development and Peace Solidarity Sunday

On April 6^th, Sisters, Associates and staff of the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John, NB, gathered in Carmel Chapel to observe Development and Peace-Caritas Canada Solidarity Sunday, the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. This year Pope Francis has declared 2025 the Year of the Jubilee, calling on us to be “Pilgrims of Hope.” In the Jubilee campaign of 2000, he asked us to “forgive the debts of countries that will never be able to repay them”. Once again, we are urged to Turn Debt into Hope by acting against the root causes of poverty, inequality and oppression. Read more...

Sister Patricia McDonald Celebrates Her 100th Birthday

On Sunday, March 16, 2025 Sisters and Staff gathered at Ruth Ross Residence to celebrate the 100th birthday of Sr. Pat with Mass and dinner. Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Sister entered the SCIC community on January 6, 1956. Before that, she was employed in general office work for the city of Edmonton and later as a Dental Assistant. Throughout her nearly 70 years with the community, her ministry included Credit Manager at Holy Family Hospital in Prince Albert, SK and Personnel Director and Purchasing Agent at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Saint John. She was also the General Secretary for the SCIC Administration for several years. Sister received many birthday wishes from her family, Associates, and friends. Congratulations and blessings on a life well lived! Photo Credit: Raciel Scarff

Black History Month

On February 19^th, Sisters, Associates and staff gathered at Ruth Ross Residence to welcome two guests who shared the richness of Black history in New Brunswick. Mr. Ralph Thomas, (Co-founder and Director of the New Brunswick Black History Society) and Ms. Mutiat Adeleke (Program Director).

Mr. Thomas highlighted many of the unknown figures and their significant contributions in business, arts and sports. In addition, he spoke about the origins of the presence of the Black population in the province. Read more...

CELEBRATING INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES

SAINT JOHN, New Brunswick – Focusing on hospitality and inclusion, Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception (SCIC), Associates and guests celebrated the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity here Jan. 22.

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson of the United Church of Canada offered a lively, heartfelt reflection on her journey with Affirming faith communities. In her tradition, this includes awareness of gender diversity and respectful inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ persons in all aspects of ministry. It also involves hospitality and attentiveness to others who are often overlooked, misunderstood or excluded. Read more...

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

On December 6^th, we gathered to commemorate the 35^th anniversary of the tragedy which took place at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec, where 14 women were shot and killed. Twelve of these were studying engineering ~ a field long dominated by men~ one was a nursing student and the other a university employee. Thirteen other women survived. The perpetrator, Marc Lepine, also took his life on that fateful day. This act of violent misogyny shook our country and led Parliament to designate this day as National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Read more...

ADVOCATING FOR HUMAN & ENVIRONMENTAL RIGHTS

Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception, Associates, staff and friends participated in the Development and Peace-Caritas Canada fall awareness and action campaign in autumn 2024. In Saint John, N.B., they signed more than 40 postcards which Development and Peace will later give to federal legislators. Sisters also encouraged others to access fall action resources free online at www.devp.org/campaign/resources

With the theme, “Reaping Our Rights”, the campaign focuses on advocating for and with peasants and small-scale farmers in the Global South. It calls for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation for Canadian companies operating abroad.

The campaign also highlights the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas – “a major victory for peasant movements around the world”.

Photo by Sharon Jacquard shows Associates Donna Schroeter (left) and Mary Matheson signing postcards.

On October 25, 2024, 35 Sisters of the Religieuses de Notre-Dame-du-Sacré-Coeur travelled by bus from Moncton to Saint John, New Brunswick to join the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception to celebrate the NDSC’S 100th Anniversary. During the dinner, Sister Roma De Robertis, SCIC Congregational Leader, invited Sister Murielle Duguay, NDSC Congregational Leader, to come forward for a special presentation. Sister Roma’s words,” We wish to offer you a gift that has rightfully belonged to you all along. They are now going to their proper home. In this box are the original letters and documents pertaining to the birth of your community…from our hearts to yours”. One document was the original letter of petition written by 31 SCIC’S to Mother Thomas on December 21, 1914. It was the request to establish an Acadian novitiate, recognizing the necessity to form sisters to meet the educational, language and cultural needs of the Acadian peoples. As the names of those sisters were read aloud, a sacred silence surrounded the gathering. As Sr. Roma noted, we give them “…avec toutes les bénédictions possibles…with every blessing.”

(Lt to rt~ Sisters Helene Allain, Murielle Duguay, and Odette Legere)

On Sunday, September 8^th in Carmel Chapel, Sisters, Associates, family and friends joyfully gathered to celebrate six Sisters of Charity ~Sisters Pat Poole (50), Alice Keegan (60), Anita Naves (65), Barbara Forestell (65), Audette Richard (75), and Elaine Henigman (80) for 390 years of faithfulness to the call of the Gospel and service among God’s people. The scripture readings highlighted the words of Isaiah to “satisfy the needs of the afflicted” and of Colossians “to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience and love and

let the word of Christ dwell in you richly and whatever you do, in word or in deed, be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.” The closing song captured each one’s response to the question: “Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?” (The Summons).

Left to right~ Srs Pat Poole, Audette Richard, Alice Keegan, Anita Naves, Fr. Tom Fowler, Fr. Tom Fowler and Sr. Barbara Forestell, Sr. Elaine Henigman and Sr. Roma De Robertis

Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson facilitated a 3-day retreat for the Sisters in Saint John in preparation for the Season of Creation. Her theme was “Celebrating Hope Through Creation.” With sacred scripture, music, poetry, visuals, and reflection time, Elizabeth invited us to embrace the awe-filled beauty of all creation.

In her thank you, Sister Irene Buechler summarized the experience~

“You have encouraged us to be filled with wonder at the daily miracles in God’s Cathedral~learn endurance from the monarch butterfly, seaweed, snail, and the heron on its 68-hour non-stop journey. You have caused us to want to be “married to amazement!”

Lilac Tree Planting on Mother Earth Day

On April 22, 2024, the Sisters of Charity, I.C., Associates, Elizabeth Fry Society staff and friends celebrated Mother Earth Day by planting an Ivory Silk Lilac tree on the E. Fry property in the North End of Saint John, N.B.

The ceremony, led by Sister Roma De Robertis and Judy Murphy, Executive Director, emphasized the significance of nature in providing beauty, peace, enjoyment, nurturing, a sense of belonging and empowerment. They highlighted the importance of creating communal spaces that facilitate connections and promote healing for women and gender-diverse individuals affected by victimization and criminalization.

The event included Sister Margaret MacLean and Associate Mike Campbell reading Mary Oliver’s poem “When I Am Among the Trees” and blessings were spoken as Mark Dupuis of Greenway Landscaping planted the Lilac purchased from Brunswick Nurseries. The gathering concluded with a children’s Tree Song and thanks offered by Sister Laura Hughes.

(Photo left to right: back rows) Sisters Mary Ann Maxwell, Margaret MacLean, Mary Beth McCurdy, Audette Richard, Muriel Buckley, Roma De Robertis, Gertrude Mulholland, Irene Buechler, Sandra Barrett; SCIC Associate Mike Campbell; Sister Laura Hughes (left to right: bottom front) Judy Murphy and Jennifer Howe (Elizabeth Fry Society); Associate Barb Fennell; Justice Coordinator Yolande Whalen. (Photo by Melissa Moore)

CHOOSING NEW PATHS FOR COMMUNITY LIFE & MISSION

Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception (SCIC) participated in their Chapter Oct. 23-28 in Saint John, N.B. with the theme, “Gathering the Wisdom ~ Blessing the Future”. Preparation included a 15-month process of communal discernment focusing on personal and congregational transformation.

Facilitators were Sr. Bonnie MacLellan, CSJ – a canon lawyer and General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie – and Dr. Ted Dunn of Florida, a clinical psychologist who works with religious communities internationally.

During Chapter, SCIC elected a five-member leadership circle to begin Jan. 4, 2024 – feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Elected for the next four years are Sr. Roma De Robertis, Congregational Leader with Srs. Alice Keegan, Patricia Poole, Laura Hughes and Mary Ann Maxwell.

The Sisters thanked outgoing leaders whose terms included an extra year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sr. Mary Beth McCurdy received special thanks for serving as congregational leader since 2010.

(Photo by Patty Marshall. Left to right: Srs. Laura Hughes, Mary Ann Maxwell, Roma De Robertis, Patricia Poole and Alice Keegan)