Chapel, . Mary's. The year 1 925 presented a great challenge for this young but growing religious community. That year the Sisters of Saint Martha had to quickly assume the management of the Charlottetown Hospital, St. Vincent's Orphanage and the newly- opened Sacred Heart Home. In 1 944 the Sisters of Saint Martha branched out in their health-care commitment by opening the Western Hospital in Alberton and by assuming the administration of Van Buren Community Hospital in Maine from 1961 to 1980. The Congregation of Saint Martha was also active in the teaching profession, their first mission being Kinkora as early as 1921. Other Island teaching locations and their opening years include Tracadie (1 942), 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 1 970s 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 of the 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 of the diocese, two were co¬ ordinators of 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 during the 1 970s and teaching positions in schools at several locations in Ontario over the past forty years. Changing times have led to a gradual withdrawal of sisters from many of the above- mentioned apostolates. At the same time this period of transition brought many sisters into new fields of service too numerous to mention here. The present motherhouse of . Mary's opened in 1964 and remains today a place of quiet 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 I960 Chapter 1985 28 ♦ Religious Orders