The Sisters of St. Martha of PEI

09/06/2026

Congratulations to Ella MacPhee, recipient of the 2026 Sisters of Saint Martha Centennial Award. We are pleased to present this award to Ella, who begins her third year of study in Kinesiology at UPEI. Her strong work ethic along with her commitment to extracurricular and community activities gives promise to a bright and successful future. We wish you all the best in the years ahead.

08/13/2026

Today we say our final farewell to Sister Gertrude Gillan, a faithful Martha who served the Island community and beyond for almost 70 years. May she rest in peace.

View Sister Gertrude Gillan CSM's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

View Sister Gertrude Gillan CSM's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/07/2026

Today we say our final farewell to Sister Rita Matters, a faithful Martha who served the Island community and beyond for almost 75 years. May she rest in peace.

View Sister Rita Matters CSM's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

View Sister Rita Matters CSM's obituary, contribute to their memorial, see their funeral service details, and more.

08/06/2026

This morning we were delighted to have a visit from two Sisters of Saint Martha of Antigonish: Brendalee Boisvert and Joanne O'Regan. While here they acknowledged our recent 110th anniversary of our Foundation. We have a special bond with their congregation with our first Sisters receiving their initial training with them. Today we enjoyed coffee and refreshments while deepening our ongoing relationship.

08/05/2026

This afternoon we gathered to celebrate Sister Kathleen Bolger on the occasion of her 95th birthday. It was a pleasant time of storytelling, first by Sister Kathleen, followed by Sisters who shared a memory, story, or an expression of gratitude. We all enjoyed cake with ice cream and cold drinks. We are grateful for Sister Kathleen, who has touched our lives and many others in her 76 years of religious life.

07/31/2026

July 29th is the Feast of St. Martha which is always special for us. We celebrated with mass in the morning and had a meal in the evening to acknowledge Sr. Rosemary MacDonald, our Leader, together.

07/23/2026

On Friday evening, July 17th, we gathered in the chapel of the Mount Continuing Care Community for a mass of thanksgiving to celebrate the 110th anniversary of our Foundation. July 17, 1916, is a historic day in the life of our congregation as it marks the beginning of Bishop Henry O’Leary’s dream to have an Island-born congregation of women religious to expand what he saw as the needed work of the church: in social, educational and spiritual aspects. It was on this date a hundred and ten years ago that our first four Sisters arrived at the wharf in Charlottetown from Pictou on the car ferry steamer Northumberland.
We owe a particular debt of gratitude to the Sisters of Saint Martha of Antigonish who generously provided initial training to our first Sisters. Despite the fact that they had only been founded in 1900, they not only trained our first Sisters; three of them also accompanied them to PEI and remained with us for five years.

Upon their arrival, our first Sisters began serving at Saint Dunstan’s College replacing the Little Sisters of the Holy Family who departed Saint Dunstan’s College the morning after the arrival of our Sisters. Only four years after our foundation, Sisters began studies in a number of areas so as to better serve the people of PEI. They became well equipped, for example, in education, health care and social services. Responding to the needs of the time was their goal and remains ours 110 years later.

Furthermore, our motto of love and service has also spurred us on to respond to needs far beyond PEI. We served in several parts of Canada, the United States and Latin America. Inspired by Saint Martha, we continue to strive to live a life of simplicity, attentiveness and hospitality wherever life takes us. Undoubtably times change, but the spirit remains steadfast in service of God’s mission.
Celebrating this important milestone, we not only look back; we look forward with courageous hearts. As our Chapter 2025 directional statement states: "We move into the unknown future holding hope for the journey". We do not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, we enjoyed a reception sharing food and friendship with our guests.

07/07/2026

On Sunday, June 28th, the community of Tracadie Cross gathered to unveil a plaque on a monument at the site of the former Tracadie Cross Consolidated School. The Sisters of Saint Martha began serving in the Tracadie area in 1942 in response to an invitation from Father Kenneth MacPherson, Pastor of Saint Bonaventure's, to teach in Glenaladale. Sisters Margarita (Agnes Kelly) and John of the Cross (Jeanette MacDonald) were the pioneer teachers in 1942-1943. Over the years a number of Sisters taught at Tracadie Cross while other Sisters who lived there traveled to their place of work. Along with teaching at the school, the Sisters contributed to the life of community teaching religion and music, as well as visiting the sick and participating in the life of the parish. Sisters Laura McCabe and Mary Walker were the last two Sisters to teach in Tracadie Cross finishing their career in 1989-1990. Sisters continued to live at Assumption Convent until 2009 when the decision was made to sell it. Sisters Frances Johnston and Bertha McCarthy were the last two Sisters to preside there.

In her comments on June 28, Sister Rita Kelly, shared memories of the move from the one-room schoolhouse in Blooming Point to the newly constructed Consolidated School 65 years ago. One story of note she recalled was the outdoor rink located close to the school where Sister Georgina Johnston, who was committed to outside activities, would have them out skating at recesses and noontime when conditions were favourable.

During our years in Tracadie many happy times were enjoyed, and close, enduring bonds were formed with the residents of Tracadie Cross. Pictured below is Sister Rita Kelly standing beside the unveiled plaque and monument.

06/29/2026

A “Night with Chris “Knuckles” Nilan” fundraiser for The Equality Project had a special acknowledgement of Sr Teresa Currie’s ministry with them. Here Mike Redmond and she share a laugh prior to Nolan’s story. What a night!

06/18/2026

2026 International Award Student/Mount Employee Recipients

Saadara Thundathil from Kerala, India is studying in the Bachelor of Science program pursuing a Double Major in Mathmatics and Food and Nutrition at UPEI while working part-time at the Mount Continuing Care Community. We wish her all the best as she pursues her studies which offer her flexibility for furute employment.

Eric Ofori from Ghana is enrolled in the Diploma Program in Accounting Technology at Holland College and works part-time at the Mount Continuing Care Community. Best wishes to eric as he completes his final year of this program which he hope will be a stepping stone to further education in the future.

Saadara and Eric are pictured below with Sister Rosemary MacDonald.