Official Celebration of the Appointment of Our Newly Elected General Superior

On Thursday, September 15, 2011, with the Provincial Council present, the Sisters of the Provincial Home, with guest Sisters and Associate, from Ancaster and Montreal, officially celebrated the appointment of Sr. Theresa Slota as newly-elected Superior General. The Sisters gathered first in chapel to pray the Moleben to Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, Co-foundress of the SSMI. In chapel, after prayer, Sr. Patricia Lacey, acting Provincial Superior, rose with her Counsellors to give words of greeting, congratulations and support in Sr. Theresa’s new post, and expressing trust in God in this transitional time for our Canadian Province, in the face of a re-election for the office of Provincial Superior. The Council then presented her with a bouquet of roses.

After a time of personal congratulations by individual Sisters, they all gathered at the dinner table, where Sr. Theresa offered them each a personal token, which she brought back with her from Rome. After enjoying a lovely meal, the Sisters offered cards and gifts, and closed the evening with the sharing of heart-shaped honey cakes, a gift from a pilgrim to the Pilgrimage at our American Provincial Home in Sloatsburg, which she sent from the Pilgrimage of the Sisters OSBM in Uniontown, where these honey cakes - “Medivnyky” - are a pilgrimage tradition.

Past General Superior, Sister Janice Soluk, SSMI, returns home to Toronto

On Monday, August 22, 2011, after two terms as General Superior, Sister Janice Soluk, SSMI, returned to Toronto, to the welcoming embrace of her co-Sisters at the Provincial Home of Christ the King. The Sisters first gathered in chapel for a prayer of thanksgiving for Sr. Janice’s years of service in leadership, and for her safe arrival home. Sr. Patricia Lacey, acting Provincial Superior, offered words of welcome, and Sr. Anne Marie Kozakewich presented her with a mixed bouquet. Then all Sisters present offered personal greetings, before sharing light nourishment.

Newly Elected General Superior, Sister Theresa Slota, SSMI, returns home to Toronto

On Thursday, August 4, 2011, eight Sisters Servants from Toronto and Ancaster communities greeted our newly elected General Superior, Sr. Theresa Slota, formerly the Provincial Superior of Christ the King Province, Canada, at Toronto Pearson Airport, with a bouquet of golden roses and callas.

At the Provincial Home in Toronto, Sr. Patricia Lacey, interim Provincial Superior, welcomed her home on behalf of the gathered community and the entire Province. As a focus to her words, she likened this part of Sr. Theresa’s journey to the image portrayed in a painting, which hangs there, of two Sisters walking together against the wind, in a cold and desolate landscape. The Sisters could represent individuals, perhaps Sr. Theresa walking with Bl. Josaphata, or the Community as a whole. They approach a crossroads, facing the unknown, struggling against obstacles, but nevertheless moving forward in faith. She assured Sr. Theresa that her Community walks with her, and supports her, as she faces the unknown before her in her new position. Thus our new General Superior was toasted, and a light lunch was enjoyed.