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
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
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
