150th Anniversary Events:

A full to capacity crowd for Oct. 2, 2003 evening prayer at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception demonstrated the mutual relationship the sisters' have shared with the people of Saint John and New Brunswick for 150 years.

On October 22, 2003 at the New Brunswick Museum, Lieutenant Governor Hermenegilde Chaisson paid tribute to the major contributions the SCIC's have made to the people and history of the province. Saint John Bishop J. Faber MacDonald honored the sister's longstanding commitment to charity and justice.

The Oct. 22 event opened a six-month museum exhibit about the SCIC and also launched a new book about our history titled “ Whose Leaves Never Fade.”

To celebrate the joys of the festive season the Sisters of Charity I.C. created and entered a tree in the Festival of Trees, a fundraiser project of Mindcare New Brunswick. Thanks to the idea of Sister Mary Beth McCurdy and the creativity of Sister Marie Bitz, it became project of love extended by many of the sisters who contributed to the design using the logo of our 150th anniversary ‘A story of Faith; A mission of Love'.

On Dec. 1, 2003 New Brunswick NDP Leader Elizabeth Weir provided a tea for the Sistersof  Charit y  in St.Vincent's Convent.

On Dec. 7, 8, 2003 Associate inquirers will gather from coast to coast to make commitment for one year, to liv e the charism of charity; in simplicity, responding to those in need, meeting Jesus especially in the person of the poor.

On Dec. 8, 2003 the Sisters of Charity have been invited to join with the Cathedral parish in celebrating our respective patronal feast of the Immaculate Conception, during which the Sisters will renew their vows. We have been invited to a reception with the bishops, priests and other religious of the Diocese in the Cathedral rectory.

On Dec. 21, 2003 the Sisters of Charity I.C. and Associates were treated to a first class Christmas Tea sponsored by the Villa Madonna Retreat House in honor of our 150 th Anniversary.

On Feb. 4, 2004 the flame of charity graced the walls of the Mary Oland Theatre of the New Brunswick Museum where a public lecture was presented by Dr. Elizabeth McGahan on “Charity in the East: Sectarianism, Ethnicity and Gender in Saint John Schools .” This text and slide presentation reviewed the history of accommodation surrounding the sectarian, ethnic and gender issues, which impacted all aspects of administrative and instructional life in the schools of Saint John served by the Sisters of Charity.

“It was a closely guarded secret and a tremendous surprise for the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception that two planned windows at St. Pius X Church will be dedicated to them”. (New Freeman)

On Feb. 15, 2004 music filled the Church as parishioners gathered to honor the presence of the Sisters of Charity I.C. on the occasion of their 150 th anniversary. Fr. Doug McNeil recalled vivid memories of how the Sisters touched the lives of so many through education, health care or pastoral duties throughout the years. Sister Mary Hurley who was the last of the pastoral associates in St. Pius X parish was gratefully acknowledged. He presented to Sister Sandra Barrett, Congregational Leader, on behalf of the Martha Guild, a replica painting of Honoria Conway, foundress of the congregation and Bishop T.L. Connolly along with the 150 th anniversary logo which will be placed in stain glass windows in the church.

Cortney Lidscombe, president of the Board of Hestia House is pleased to announce that the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception have agreed to act as official patron of Hestia House. Hestia House is a refuge for women and children who suffer from domestic violence in Saint John. “The Sisters of Charity were instrumental in the establishment of Hestia House”, said Lidscombe, “and have continued to be supportive in various ways.” On Feb 17, 2004 the Board of Hestia House hosted a reception to mark this historic event and Sisters who serve on various Boards or Committees in Saint John were invited to attend. Congregational Leader sister Sandra Barrett stated that the sisters were delighted to accept the honor of being patron of Hestia House, especially in this, the 150 th Anniversary of the Congregation. In the light of their call from their 2002 congregational gathering when we were called to support women and children experiencing oppression and violence, they are pleased to partner with Hestia House.

Cooperating for service and justice is the theme of a March 4, 2004 public lecture sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception in Saint John during our 150 th anniversary. Willing Partners in Vital Communities is the title of the free presentation at 7:00 pm in the Mary Oland Theatre of the New Brunswick Museum. The presenter is Sister Betty Ann McNeil DC, author, social worker, community archivist and 40-year member of the Daughters of Charity of Emmitsburgh, MD. Betty Ann is active in the North American federation of the Sister of Charity who embrace the spirituality of Sts. Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac and Elizabeth Ann Seton. The Saint John based Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception are federation members who invited McNeil to facilitate assemblies for sisters and associates in their Pacific, Prairie and Atlantic regions. They are hosting the public lecture to acknowledge and encourage cooperation among service and justice organizations in the wider community.