TRENTON
The Sisters of St. Martha have closed their presence in Pictou County after 60 years of service.
A special evening of events was held Tuesday in the county to honour the women who served the area.
"The good women who live among you at this time are now needed in other areas. We know that they have given their hearts and talents to people of this community and that their departure will be experienced in the loss,” said Sister Brendalee Boisvert, the congregation leader. “We also know that you understand that our way of life calls us to respond to the needs of the time and that response keeps us ever open to go where we are most needed.”
The Sisters of St. Martha’s work started in Trenton in 1958 when three young sisters were told they were going to be teaching in a church basement in the town.
On Sept. 2, 1958, at 9:30 a.m. they boarded a bus from St. Martha’s Convent to pick up the fourth sister who was to be the local Superior and homemaker.
Boisvert said records show the home of Ronald Dunn was provided for the sisters, who included Sister Mary MacNeil, Sister Mary MacFarlane, Sister Claire MacNeil, who all came to teach, as well as Sister Genevieve Gouthreau who served as Superior and homemaker.
Upon their arrival, a pantry shower was held by the women of the Altar Society to fill the cupboards with supplies and food.
“The day after their arrival was the first day of the school year,” said Boisvert. “Talk about your baptism by fire. There were 114 children in grades primary to 3. In November, 24 children from Pictou Landing were added to the enrolment. Sister Mary MacFarlane said to Mother Ignatius, ‘Sister, I don’t know how to teach.’ Mother Ignatius’s response was, ‘Sister, teach as you have been taught.’ And so, they did.”
By 1960, the parish bought a house that was converted into a convent for the sisters. Boisvert said there was some tension in the early days of the mission between Protestants and Catholics. The school board was open to having the Catholic children taught in the church basement because the schools were too full, but by 1966, the separate school closed and Catholic children were enrolled in the public-school system.
“Eventually it tossed us into our inter-faith relationships which continued to enrich our lives,” she said. “Sister Catherine MacFarlane and Sister Theresa Parker were the first two sisters in the public-school system. Their acceptance into the public system was a tribute to the openness of the town people and a tribute to those pioneer sisters.”
Over the years, the ministries of the sisters expanded when some of the sisters went on the executive of the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and others taught English to new Canadians. Some of the sisters became involved in children and adult choirs while others taught at secondary schools and followed history and philosophy courses at St. Francis Xavier University.
In 1971-72, Sisters of St. Martha initiated catechetics in Pictou Landing one afternoon a week as well as attending community meetings in Antigonish for people working with First Nation residents. The sisters had a close relationship with the First Nations community by offering counselling and programs for youths, community development and parent education as well as making pastoral visits to family homes.
By the mid-1970s, Sister Mary Sheridan was hired by family services in Pictou as a therapist and supervisor and Sister Sandra Cooke, a teacher, began a glee club. Sisters would also sit on the parish council and become involved in religious education, parish visiting, pastoral care and co-ordination of catechetics in the Parish of Lourdes. They also offered summer programs in art, dance and song to children in the parish hall.
In 1976, a sister began to work in the detox centre in Pictou and lived at the Pictou convent during the week.
“In our convent, there was always room at the table for the stranger and persons not included in the local community,” Boisvert said. “The table at Christmas, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day and other days found the dining room filled with joy and table companionship.”
She said the Martha Associate Group formed in the early 1980s continues to grow with the men and women in the group carrying the same spirit of gospel hospitality into the workplace wherever they live.
“Over our 60 years here, 54 Sisters of St. Martha were asked to serve here and some came more than once. Seventeen of these sisters remain with us. Others live religious life but continue to stay connected with us and with this community.”
