Marthas Host Sisters of Charity Federation
in Antigonish
Over 100 women religious, representing 17 congregations in Canada and the
United States, gathered on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University in
Antigonish, Nova Scotia, for the annual meeting of the Sisters of Charity
Federation. The Sisters of St.
Martha hosted Federation members from as far away as California and as near
as Halifax at the May 29th -June 2nd meeting.
The women religious in attendance represented approximately 4,500 women
religious working in 32 countries around the globe, linked by their shared
roots in Saints Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Prior to their founding in Antigonish in 1900, the Sisters of St.
Martha received their early formation as women religious with the Sisters of
Charity of Halifax. The
Federation drew this year’s theme from a quote from Saint Vincent de Paul,
“Love Is Inventive Unto Infinity.”
The conference included conversation that explored the possibility of
joint ministries within the Federation that would allow members of any of
the congregations within the Federation to live and work side by side.
The members were blessed to be aided in their conversation and
decisioning by Sister Elizabeth Davis, a member of the Congregation of the
Sisters of Mercy of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Under her facilitation the members of the Federation left these
meetings with newly crafted Mission, Vision and Value Statements.
A special focus was given to our global community when the Federation’s
NGO Representative to the United Nations, Sister Carol Jean Willie, a Sister
of Charity of Cincinnati, addressed the group.
Sister Carol Jean works with liaisons from each member Congregation
to promote a variety of social justice issues, including poverty, migration,
environment/water and human trafficking.
The gathering was not all business.
Evenings held a variety of entertainment, including the Sisters of
St. Martha’s singing group, “Marthas On a Mission”, the world renown “Men of
the Deeps” and a variety show of local talent.
Next year’s meeting will be held June 18-22, 2009, in Emmitsburg,
Maryland. This event will
coincide with the 200th anniversary of the legacy of Saint
Elizabeth Ann Seton.
The congregations of the Federation are involved in ministry around the
world, including education, healthcare, social justice issues and community
building.
To view photos from the
gathering in Antigonish
click here!
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