Sisters of St. Martha of PEI Gemma Dunn, CSM, Rosemary MacDonald, CSM, and Debbie Peters, CSM welcomed the leaders Friday afternoon. Photo by Beata Gesicka
A “Prayer and Blessing for Safe Travels” began the day as the leaders boarded the bus and cars to travel from Antigonish to Prince Edward Island. They boarded the Northumberland Ferry for a crossing to Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island with an opportunity to take another view of the magnificent country.
The Sisters of St. Martha of Prince Edward Island leadership team and associates greeted all as they arrived at the University of Prince Edward Island to conclude the final days of meetings.
Joan Campbell, CSM opened the day with warm greetings and invited Grace Hartzog, SC to lead a video and prayer of gratitude for Katie Norris, DC for her years of service to the Federation Board as President.
Grace Hartzog, SC introduced Donna Geernaert, SC-H and Rob Judge, Executive Director of the Elizabeth Shrine who joined the meeting via Zoom. S. Donna provided an update on her ministry as the Chair of the Seton Heritage Ministries Board. Noting that the Seton Heritage Ministries Board is living into a new structure, S. Donna highlighted its bylaws that describe the new corporate structure. Rob shared updates on the renovation of the Shine and expressed gratitude to the Federation congregations for offering financial support and providing artifacts for the museum.
Facilitator, Pat Kozak, CSJ summarized the rich conversations with plans shared by leadership teams on June 15 and invited leadership teams to focus/prioritize next steps in respective congregations or provinces.
Before adjournment, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth welcomed the leadership teams to Kentucky in June 2024 with a virtual trip to “My Old Kentucky Home.”
During the evening social, the PEI leadership team presented their story, noting the Sisters of Saint Martha of Antigonish played a pivotal role in their unfolding dream as they supported the early formative years. Through song and prayer, the leadership joined them in gratitude for their courage to join the Federation in June 2017.
