PIECES OF BETHANY: AN INVITATION TO SHARE
As we approach the 125th anniversary of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Martha, we have a unique opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon the rich history and enduring impact of the Congregation.The Sisters of St. Martha have been a cornerstone of the Antigonish community, contributing tirelessly to St. Francis Xavier University, founding St. Martha’s Hospital, and championing affordable housing, education, justice, and social work. In 2019, the deconstruction of the Bethany Motherhouse dispersed various objects throughout our community and beyond, each carrying its own unique story. These objects, now housed in new locations, have taken on new values, meanings, and significance.
To commemorate this milestone anniversary, we are initiating the "PIECES OF BETHANY" project, an exhibit that will bring these stories together and celebrate the enduring impact of the Bethany Motherhouse.
Our goal is to gather these stories and photographs for an exhibit celebrating the Congregation’s 125th anniversary in 2025. We aim to collect narratives and images of 125 objects from Bethany, capturing the essence of the Sisters of St. Martha through the eyes of the people whose lives they touched. We invite you to share the story of any object you obtained from the deconstruction of the Bethany Motherhouse. Whether it’s a piece of furniture, a small keepsake, a photograph, or a piece of stained glass each item holds a piece of our shared history. We are interested in learning where these objects ended up, why they were cherished, and what purpose they serve today. Your story will become an integral part of our exhibit, either through the display of the objects themselves or through photographs and accompanying narratives.
If you have an object from Bethany and a story to share, we would be honored to include it in our "Pieces of Bethany" project. Your contribution will help preserve and celebrate the gift of presence of the Sisters of St. Martha, showcasing the profound impact they have had on our community.
Click here to open a fillable form to guide you in your sharing with a few specific questions! Simply type up your answers, save the file, and email it to Marielle Assad at charism@themarthas.com Feel free to reach out to Marielle either by email or at (902) 968-1496 if you have any questions or need further information!