Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate
The Sisters are committed to a communal life of prayer
and the service of God’s people.
The Sisters are committed to a communal life of prayer
and the service of God’s people.
Welcome to the Home of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Canada
Welcome to the website of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate in Canada.
The Congregation of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate is an international congregation of Sisters of the Ukrainian Catholic Church (of the Byzantine rite, in union with Rome). Founded over 100 years ago in Western Ukraine, the Sisters Servants strive to follow the example of their patroness, Mary, the Immaculate Mother of God. The Sisters are committed to a communal life of prayer and the service of God’s people, primarily but not exclusively, those of the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
May you come to feel at home with the Sisters. May you find comfort, be enriched and grow in joy and peace, as you get to know them.
About the SSMI Crest
The crest of the Sisters Servants features …
~ the letter “M”: The Sisters, under the protection of Mary Immaculate, walking in faith and trust as she did;
~ the Cross: The Sisters …
- are followers of Christ
- have taken up their own cross
- hold Christ’s cross as their glory and salvation
~ three stars, symbolizing …
- the religious vows of obedience, chastity and poverty
- the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity
- the virtues of meekness, humility and sisterly love
~ the motto of the Sisters: “Glory to God, Honour to Mary, Peace to us.”
Our Community
As a community of women, the Sisters have responded to Christ’s call to dedicate their entire beings and lives to God. In freedom and love, they vow life-long fidelity to evangelical celibacy, poverty and obedience. Through a life of prayer and active service, they are called to share their experience of God’s compassion, forgiveness and unconditional love. They live in community, encouraging and supporting one another in their apostolic life journey. Daily they unite in prayer in response to the requests of many, trusting in the Lord’s words: “Ask, and it shall be given to you.”
What We Do
The Sisters are involved in the ministries of healing and education at every level as well as other apostolates, responding to the needs of the times. The Sisters care for the whole person. Wherever they work they attempt to ‘raise the spirit and ennoble the heart of the people.’ They guide them to assume the apostolic responsibility of Christians through the love and study of Holy Scripture, the Liturgy, and personal prayer. (Constitution, 2006, #59)
Education Ministry
The Sisters educate people of all ages, in mind and spirit, developing their gifts for the service of God and the community.
Latest News
Our Latest News, Events, and More
Marian Pilgrimage 2020
This year the Marian Pilgrimage was cancelled to the public due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. In line with the Government and Eparchial restrictions, the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate honoured the day by having a private mini-pilgrimage. Reverend Yuriy Tykhyy and his Dobrodijka Marijka came from Toronto to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the Sisters home Chapel. After the Divine Liturgy, we processed to the “Ancaster Mother of God Shrine” while reciting the Rosary. We completed the Rosary at t
Announcement of Retirement of Jean Piché, CEO of Holy Family Home
The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, the Holy Family Home Board and administration wish to announce the retirement of the long-time facility’s CEO, Mr. Jean Piché and at the same time express appreciation and gratitude for the 20 years of dedicated service to the Holy Family Home.
Trust God in our Life Journey
"Trust God in our Life Journey" This is a statement that has become very real in Sister Charlene Belay’s life. Over twenty years ago she had the notion that she wanted to be a nurse. However, the timing was not right. She was afraid that she did not have what it takes. God had another plan for her, one that would surround her with a loving community that is encouraging and supportive. Through her trust in God, this call to serve others as a nurse is now becoming a reality. In a few months Siste
Sisters embrace their Ministry of Hospitality with their Whole Hearts
The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate still own and operate Holy Family Home, a long term care facility in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Although there are only a few Sisters that are still directly involved in the day-to-day life at the Home, during this time of the COVID 19 pandemic the Sisters at Bethany Home have stepped in to help. At Holy Family Home, the sisters are connecting with residents and helping out the staff. Sisters Jean, Ruth, Pavla, Joanne, Emily and Darleane have been helping to feed
73rd Marian Pilgrimage/Vidpust Cancelled
The Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate, regret to inform you that the 73rd Marian Pilgrimage/Vidpust, originally set for June 28, 2020 at Mount Mary, in Ancaster is cancelled due to the Covid Pandemic. Be assured that, especially on that day, the Sisters will offer prayers for the Church, clergy and faithful of this Eparchy. “O Most Holy Mother of God, pray for us.”
Sister Hilary Lenyk, SSMI 1924-2020
Sister Hilary Lenyk died peacefully, at St. Boniface Hospital Winnipeg, MB on April 22, 2020, at the age of 95; a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate for 77 years. Olga was born August 22, 1924, to Athanasius and Sophie (Bay) in Guernsey, Saskatchewan. Her parents immigrated from western Ukraine, settling in SK. Olga had two sisters and three brothers. Two brothers died in infancy. Olga was always grateful to God for her parents for their love. Their deep prayer life was a witness to nurturing Ol
Sister Anne Marie Kozakewich, SSMI 1919 – 2020
Sister Anne Marie Kozakewich, a Sister Servant of Mary Immaculate, passed away at Bethany Home, Winnipeg, MB on 29 March 2020. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday and gave 79 years to religious life. Born - 29 December 1919 Entered - 26 May 1941 Clothing Day - 26 November 1941 First Vows - 27 November 1943 Final Vows - 15 August 1950 Anne Kozakewich was born on December 29, 1919, in Parkerview, SK, daughter of Theodore (Fred) Kozakewich and Eudoxia (Dora), nee Kohuch. She had two brothers
COVID-19 – A Letter from Rome
Please click on the links below to read a letter from Sr. Sofija Lebedowicz, SSMI - General Superior Our prayers are with you during this time. COVID-19 Letter from Rome COVID-19 Letter from Rome English
Appreciation Moleben and Banquet for Most Rev. Stephen Chmilar, D.D. Emeritus
A number of Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate representing Toronto & Ancaster attended the “Appreciation Moleben and Banquet” for Most Rev. Stephen Chmilar, D.D. Emeritus, on Sunday, March 8th, 2020, held at Holy Dormition of the mother of god Ukrainian Catholic Church, Mississauga, ON. The UCWLC Eparchial Executive who met with His Excellency B. Bayda, March 7 at St. Demetrius Care Home, Etobicoke, ON. Sr. Theresa Matwe, SSMI (from Ancaster) is Spiritual Advisor for the Toronto UCWLC. &nb
New Liturgy Books at IHMS
Sr. Emily, SSMI generously donated new Divine Liturgy books to Immaculate Heart of Mary School in honour of her Final Vows on August 10, 2019. These books were blessed during the school's Feast of Theophany prayer service. May God continue to bless Sr. Emily Schietzsch, SSMI abundantly! Rev. Ihor Shved, Sr. Emily Schietzsch SSMI, Rev. Isidore Dziadyk, OSBM and Fr. Yaroslav Kopychyn visiting from Ukraine.
Edmonton Missions
On the Feastday of Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska November 20, 2019 members of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate community in Edmonton participated in a school visit that expressed the faithfulness to their charism and founder’s words, “Serve where the need is the greatest”. Sister Anne Pidskalny and Sister Veronica Bartkiw joined members of the Budova Charitable Society from St. Basil’s Ukrainian Catholic Church to help bring comfort to students attending St. Matthew Catholic Elementary S
Final IHMS Tea – Steeped in Tradition
From the very beginning of St. Nicholas School, the Sisters were required to fundraise to keep our school operating. Thus, month after month, year after year, out of a deep desire for the Christian education of Ukrainian Youth, no sacrifice was avoided, no effort spared to work towards providing sufficient funding for the well-being of our school. In the 1942 Chronicles, we read: “Our school committee held a fundraising tea at the hall of St. John the Benevolent. The Sisters prepared a concert f