Milestone Anniversaries of our Women Religious
Our diocese is blessed to be served by five communities of Women Religious:
Sisters of St. Martha, Sisters of Charity, Congregation of Notre Dame, Filles de Jesus and Sisters of St. Augustine
This year, several Sisters who are serving or have served here are celebrating milestone anniversaries of their Professions.
We remember them in prayer, with sincere gratitude.
Sisters of St. Martha
Sr. Madeline Connolly
Congregation of Notre Dame
Sister Margaret Anne MacDonell (S.S. Marguerite of the Cross)
Served as a teacher in Antigonish and Sydney; in 2021 served in Sydney, NS, at the CND Health Care Centre, Ministry of Prayer & Presence Prayer for Prisoners
Sisters of St. Martha
Sr. Alexius MacLellan
Sisters of Charity
S. Frances Gritte
Taught grades 7, 8, and 9 at St. Stephen School, Halifax, from 1953 to 1962. Also ministered in Chiclayo, Peru from 1971 to 1975. She has retired to Wellesley Hills, MA.
S. Dorothy Mulcahy
Born in Halifax, NS. Her teaching career spans from 1947 to 1983. She has taught in Halifax, New Aberdeen, Port Hawkesbury, and Bedford. During the years of 1993 to 2008, was a co-ordinator, treasurer, volunteer at Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse. Now retired.
Congregation of Notre Dame
Sister Charlotte Lockhart (S.S. Patricia Miriam)
Served as a teacher in Antigonish, Inverness, Port Hood and New Victoria
Sister Harriet MacNeil (S.S. Harriet Marie)
Served as a teacher in Iona and Sydney
Sisters of St. Martha
Sr. Anne Aucoin
Sr. Margaret Landry
Sr. Clotilda McIntyre
Sisters of Charity
S. Margaret Chisholm
Born in Havre Boucher, NS. Taught grades 4 & 1 in Halifax at St. Pius X and St. Agnes School from 1952 to 1965. Taught at Havre Boucher School from 1969 to 1986. Now retired.
S. Ann Kielley
Missioned in Halifax and worked in the community teaching sewing. In 1971 worked in the community doing administrative work. Currently retired.
S. Vivian Mancini
Born in North Sydney. Teaching music, she began her career in Bedford, NS in 1952. In 1982 she did Pastoral Ministries in Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Antigonish. From 1983 to 1988 she did Pastoral Ministries and taught Adult Education in New Waterford. She returned to Halifax in 2001. S. Vivian is now retired.
S. Catherine McGowan
S. Catherine was an educator from 1952 to 1976 in Boston, New York and Bermuda. Missioned to Bani, Peru and Dominican Republic from 1982 to 1989. Returned to Halifax in 1990 and was the Administrator of Mother Berchmans Centre in Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse from 1991 to 2000. S. Catherine is retired.
Sisters of Charity
S. Martha Eileen Burrows
Born in Glace Bay, NS. Taught Sunday school (primary children) from 1957 to 1966 in Halifax. Taught in grade school from 1966 to 1983 in Glace Bay, NS. Religious educator from 1983 to 2001. Now retired
S. Melda Comeau
Taught grades 3, 1, and primary from 1957 to 1992 in Yarmouth, West Chezzetcook, Halifax and North Sydney. Began practicing as a reflexologist in 1993 and is currently doing Reflexology/Healing Touch/Nutrition Consultations.
S. Virginia Deal
Born in Halifax. Administrative work from 1957 to 1968. Taught at Dartmouth Vocational from 1969 to 1992. From 1992 to 1996 she worked as the Provincial Vicar for the Congregation in Halifax. Retired in 2003.
S. Anita Gagnon
Taught grade 3 at Atlantic Memorial School (lived in Terence Bay) from 1963 to 1967. Returned to Halifax from Quebec to work as a co-ordinator at MSVM, Parkstone and Caritas Residence.
S. Patricia Kelly
Taught grades 4 & 5 at the Indian Residential School in Shubenacadie from 1963 to 1967. Taught at Atlantic Memorial School from 1967-1972. Worked as a guidance counselor at Graham Creighton High School from 1972 to 1976. Now retired and living at Mount Saint Vincent Wellesley.
S. Bernadette Murphy
Born in West Chezzetcook. At the Mount Saint Vincent Motherhouse, S. Bernadette served as a supervisor in the students cafeteria and later as a dining room supervisor (for the Sisters) from 1959 to 1989. From 1989 to 2008 she served as a driver for Sisters, seamstress and in 2008 volunteered as the Sacristan. Sister is now retired.
S. Elaine Nolan
Born in Boston, MA. Taught grades 2 and 3 at Oxford School in Halifax from 1960 to 1964. S. Elaine is now retired and living in Mount Saint Vincent Wellesley.
S. Patricia Theriault
Born in Halifax. Began her teaching career in 1957 and retired from teaching in 1994. During this time she taught grades primary, 1, 4 and 8. S. Patricia was missioned at the following locations: Stellarton, Halifax, Amherst, Port Hawkesbury, Cregnish, Judique, and Eastern Passage. Currently she does volunteer work.
Sisters of St. Martha
Sr. Claudette Gallant
Sr. Madeleine LeBorgne
Sr. Ivy Maccan
Sr. Marion Sheridan
Sisters of Charity
S. Donna Geernaert
Taught Theology at Mount Saint Vincent University from 1975 to 1980. From 2002 until 2014, served as the Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Charity. Currently serves on numerous boards and lectures at AST.
S. Roberta Mullin
Lived at St. Ignatius Convent in Bedford from 1981 to 1985 and worked as a nurse. Currently, she volunteers at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Vancouver.
S. Yvonne Theriault
Lived at the Star of the Sea Convent in Terence Bay in 1965 and taught grade 6 at Shad Bay School. From 1982 to 2000 she was a pastoral care worker at the IWK Hospital. From 2001 to 2011, worked as a co-ordinator at Mother Berchmans Centre, MSVM and Parkstone Enhanced Care. Currently works as a volunteer chaplain at the QEII Health Sciences Centre.
Margaret Mac Kenzie - July 9, 2021
Congratulations to All TheBeautiful Sisters , I was taught by the Sisters of Norte Dame in New Glasgow fro grade one to grade six ,at St. JOHN,S Academy In St. JOHNS PARISH , Thank You
Margie Gillis - June 28, 2022
Congratulations to the many Sisters of Martha, the Congregation de Notre Dame. The Sisters of Charity (Halifax), Filles de Jesus, Augustinian Sisters who are celebrating 70, 75, and 85 years of Service to their communities and our Diocesan families. Thank you as well to Sheila O’Handley who is living as a Consecrated member of the Eremitical life. Thank you for your many acts of prayer, gospel witness, generosity, kindness and compassion for all the persons, parishes and communities you have served. We wish you continued health and vibrant ministry. Margie Gillis, Office of Liturgy