We Have A Vision Statement!

Creating an inclusive and nurturing Centre, offering stillness and peace.

The Board of Directors is very pleased to introduce our first vision statement. This vision statement was created through much collaboration, thought, prayer, and discussion by the Board members and our Executive Director.

The words to this statement were chosen with care and we would like to share some of our thoughts behind the key terms.

Creating – this is an action word. We are not finished our journey yet and things are always growing and changing, responding to the needs heard from our community. We will continually strive to provide a welcoming environment for you – our patrons and friends of the Centre.

Inclusive – this is hospitality. How you are greeted at the door. How our staff shift quickly to support those who arrive when not expected with grace and care.

Nurturing – creating and caring for stillness and quiet – which is also welcoming. Come to the Centre to simply “Be and let go”.

Offering – we offer an environment that creates an opportunity for discovery. Taking time to step away, what will you discover?

Stillness – this seems to be a bottomless word! It does not mean stiffness or rigidity. It leaves one open to the Divine. It’s like the robin that can wait so long in stillness, listening for the worm needed to nourish it.

Peace – A warm greeting, a slower pace, and a quiet environment all help to provide a sense of peace for our visitors to the Centre.

We have also worked diligently to create a 3-year Strategic Plan. This plan will be shared with you, once it passes a final motion at our November Board meeting. Stay tuned!

It is with great enthusiasm that we continue to move the Centre forward for your benefit.

Board reflection by Lise Schmidt

Blessings of September

Today, I reflect back on September when we had 5 Sisters of St Martha come for a visit. Each one of them shared something about the Centre that warmed my heart.

Sister Loretta expressed her joy in coming home, as she walked into the building, experiencing the peace that God wrapped around her. Her excitement of being here and sharing this home with her friend Maria was very heartwarming. This was their homebase as they toured and visited in the area.

Sister Theresa shared the experience of stillness and discernment as I asked her to help me understand everything in the chapel and sacristy more fully. Simply, her response was: "What would make the chapel more prayerful?" Together, Sister Theresa, Sister Josie and I weeded unnecessary "stuff" from the chapel and the sacristy. Being prayerful about all things “Centre” is a gift that keeps on giving to each person who enters.

Sister Josie actively helped out at every turn. She smiled at seeing the big, ugly sink removed from the pantry. She was pleased with the walk-in cooler changes (we both shared our troubles with this equipment!). The ease of opening the new doors to enter the courtyard was fun! Wow! Wow! Sister Josie really related with me about "building operations". "Why didn't we think of that!", she stated as she commented on some of the simple improvements.

Sister Joanne inspired me to look at the "things" in the Centre differently. The archivist from The Martha's had been at the Centre before the Sisters left and took everything they required for their archives. Sister Joanne blessed me with a sense of freeing that I hadn’t experienced.

Sister Marion reminded me of the value of the stillness at the Centre. Following the hurricane in Nova Scotia, there was a lot to do, the busyness of life was very full and very real. Yet, she knew her purpose for coming was to minister to the youth in our community. She stayed an additional day at the Centre, leaving feeling rejuvenated and she expressed interest in returning for an actual week of retreat.

All of the Sisters toured the property, reading the bench inscriptions and stopping to rest at the special “Friends of the Sisters” bench. We photographed these moments. The beauty of the grounds was notably appreciated. We enjoyed scones made with raspberries from the Centre patch. We truly were blessed and they too all received a blessing from their visit.

Many of the Sisters of St Martha called Martha Retreat Centre in Lethbridge home during their ministry here. While they were present at the Centre they ministered in this community, and they invested in the future of the Centre. The future is now! Incredible!

Looking back and thinking that we are now living in the future which someone else invested in, that is an awe-inspiring reflection.

I vision, as I look back 10 years from now, I will know that I invested in the future of the Martha Retreat Centre. Today, my now, I desire to be a faithful servant of God. Each day is a new opportunity, and each day provides a unique challenge. God provides subtle reminders that He IS with me, He goes before me, He is the future of the Centre.

The Centre is a part of your NOW! Do you see the value of the Centre for you and for this community in the future?

To keep the Centre open and running is evolving. To create sustainability is crucial.

I have heard from the early days of arriving to live/work here: “The Centre is not sustainable through programming alone!” Yikes, that is so true. I worked diligently to provide an array of programs that would bring diverse people through the doors. When I calculated the potential income from programming registration fees alone, reality hit me between the eyes. Programming does not make the Centre sustainable. Programming definitely contributes, yet to be truly sustainable and to keep the legacy of the Sisters alive within this community, the Centre is dependent upon donations from people who believe in and will invest in her future.

Would you like to learn more about the Centre and how to invest in the work here? I invite you to attend an Open House on Tuesday, November 15th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Do you have a vision for the future of the Centre? Will you consider investing in the work of the Centre? Come to learn about the Centre and share your ideas of growing the sustainability of the Centre.

Together, as faithful disciples, God leads us and stirs within us ways to reach people for His purpose and to experience the fullness of His love.

Invest in the future, the Sisters future is NOW, and my now is planting seeds for the new future of the Centre. Will you join together with key disciples to create a future that reaches deep into people’s hearts, impacting people’s lives and reaches wide throughout our community?

Diana Sim

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In Gratitude to Fall Clean Up Volunteers

On October 14th, 2022, on a beautiful sunny day, we had our annual Fall Clean up Day at the Centre. Beginning in the early morning our committed volunteers started to gather on the grounds to do some of the final work before the coming of winter. Everyone had a job to do – some were working on flowers beds, others - on protecting the trees from our friend Pudge (a porcupine that is a regular visitor on the grounds); someone did the final cut of the grass, others were moving furniture to the shed. Also, a lot of work was done on collecting the falling leaves and branches.

The grounds team of the Martha Retreat Centre is one of the most active and dedicated teams. The committed work of volunteers makes sure that the first noticeable space of the Centre looks beautiful and welcoming. When you arrive and see the well-shaped trees, lovely, organized flower beds, tidy and peaceful grounds you feel that not only the Centre, but nature fully welcomes you and speaks her wisdom.

At noon our volunteers were able to enjoy the lunch prepared by the cooks. It is always a great time where everyone not only shares a meal together, but also have a time for conversation - what has been done and what other improvements could be accomplished in the future. There are always a new ideas, new projects, and new dreams to discover.

After lunch volunteers had a bit of work to finish before they headed home. Everyone left the Centre not only rewarded for giving their talents and time to the community, but also fulfilled with joy by making the difference, creating meaningful connections, and improving their mental and physical well-being.

Thank you, our dear volunteers, for everything you do! Thank you for your enthusiasm to be at the Martha Retreat Centre! Thank you for creating a better place around you and in each other’s life! Your investment of time is appreciated greatly!

Tell us your opinion: what you'd like to see in the Martha Retreat Centre?