Chapel, Mount St. Maiji's.

The year 1925 presented a great challenge For this young but growing religious community. That year the Sisters oFSaint Martha had to quickly assume the management oF the Charlottetown Hospital, St. Vincent’s Orphanage and the newly- opened Sacred Heart Home.

In 1944 the Sisters oFSaint Martha branched out in their health-care commitment by opening the Western Hospital in Alberton and by assuming the administration oFVan

Buren Community Hospital in Maine From 1961 to 1980.

The Congregation oFSaint Martha was also active in the teaching proFession, their First mission being Kinkora as early as 1921. Other lsland teaching locations and their opening years include Tracadie (1942), St. Teresa’s and Lennox Island (1948), Fort Augustus and Grand Tracadie (1954), Corran Ban (1959) and Morell (1960).

One oF the most eFFective services provided by the sisters since the late 19705 has been the operation oF Belcourt Centre, the diocesan retreat house in Rustico. In addition to wise management, the sisters by living there have brought to that old house a Feeling oF warmth and hominess For all who enter there.

Other involvements oFthe sisters on the Island include domestic works and parish ministries. Sisters have also For many years held prominent positions at the diocesan level. One was Chancellor oFthe diocese, two were co— ordinators 0F religious education and several have been employed in the Marriage Tribunal.

Out oF province fields oF service For the sisters include prison ministry at Springhill, Nova Scotia, a missionary team in the Dominican Republic during the 19705 and teaching positions in schools at several locations in Ontario over the past Forty years.

Changing times have led to a gradual withdrawal oFsisters From many oFthe above— mentioned apostolates. At the same time this period oFtransition brought many sisters into new fields of‘service too numerous to mention here.

The present motherhouse oF Mount St. Mary’s opened in 1964 and remains today a place quuiet as well as the hub oF many activities. The Spirituality Centre in particular is an accessible and much appreciated oasis For people in the city and across the diocese.

Retreat I 960

28 O RELIGIOUS ORDERS

Chapter 1985