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
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
Formation Meeting Continues
Bishop Lahovych OSBM, superior General and Council and SSMI Formators
International Meeting of Formators
Seen here are Sr Janice Soluk, superior of the Generalate and General Councillor and Sr. Theresa Matwe by Blessed Josaphata’s remains in our Generate Chapel. Зустріч відповідальних за формацію. 27 січня 2020 у Генеральному домі сестер Служебниць Непорочної Діви Марії в Римі розпочалася міжнародна зустріч сестер відповідальних за формацію у Провінціях. На зустріч прибули сестри із семи Провінцій, а саме: Україна, Польща, Сербія, Словаччина, США, Канада, Бразилія. Тема зустрічі: «Покликав к
Sister Anne-Marie’s 100th Birthday Celebration
Sister Anne-Marie Kozakewich, emanates a delightful, positive, spirit and is a life-giving member in her community. She balances life’s purpose with prayer, people and play. On December 28, 2019, Sister Anne Marie celebrated her 100th year of life with her family, friends & SSMI Community. Metropolitan Lawrence celebrated a Divine Liturgy for Sister Anne Marie in the Sisters Chapel. Later a celebratory meal and evening were enjoyed by those close to her. She was born December 29, 1919 in Par
Holy Family Home – New Building Blessing
On Wednesday, January 8th, 2020, the Sisters Servants, Holy Family Home Staff and Board of Directors, as well as the Lubov SSMI Foundation welcomed donors and community members to bless the new expansion - Building C. Residents moved into the new building in September 2019 and now the space has been officially blessed. Students from Immaculate Heart of Mary School caroled as guests arrived Sr. Christina Syrotynsky, SSMI - Provincial Superior thanked everyone involved in the capital project Metro
Celebrating St. Nicholas Day in Perth, Australia
Sister Muriel (Nicodemas)'s nativity in St John the Baptist Church in Perth, Australia
St Nicholas visits Sisters at Mount Mary Immaculate Retreat Centre, Ancaster
Sisters in Ancaster received a special visit from St. Nicholas on the eve of St. Nicholas Day (Thursday, December 18, 2019 - Julian calendar)
Christmas Greetings
"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prohet: "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means, 'God is with us'." Mt. 1:20-23 Christ is Born! Let us Glorify Him!
Honouring Our Co-Foundress
On Wednesday, November 20th, Sr. Ruth Aney SSMI, and Lesia Wozny (nee Pograniczny '98), brought 39 students to Holy Family Home for a Divine Liturgy celebrating the 100th anniversary of the passing of Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, co-foundress of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate. The Children of Mary learned about the co-founder in the new atrium space at the Home, and residents were thrilled to see so many bright young faces!