Summerside convent launches $2 million fundraising campaign for new childcare facility
SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — For the Sisters of the Sacred Coronary heart of Jesus of Ragusa, the care of youngsters is an affirmation of religion – and they’re getting ready to do much more of it.
The Summerside-based Catholic convent has launched a $2 million fundraising marketing campaign to permit for the development of a 60-student daycare facility.
The sisters function a small home-based childcare facility at their Granville Road convent licensed for as much as seven college students. The proposed enlargement is a major one for a small spiritual order with simply three native members.
It’s an bold mission, however the sisters are comfortable and excited to take it on, stated Sister Marian Limen.
A bunch of Catholic nuns in #Summerside #PEI has launched a $2 million fundraising marketing campaign within the hopes of constructing a 60-student daycare right here. There are solely three sisters within the convent. I spoke with one in all them, Sister Marian Limen, concerning the mission. pic.twitter.com/pcwDz5HfEK
— Colin Roger MacLean (@JournalPMacLean) January 11, 2023
There’s a important want in P.E.I. for childcare capability, she added, so this mission is a means she and her sisters could make an essential contribution to the neighborhood.
“It’s a massive mission, however you’ll be able to’t be staying, watching what’s occurring and feeling sorry about it. It’s a must to do one thing about it,” Limen stated. “We all know it’s not going to be straightforward – however we intend to do that.”
The brand new facility can be constructed as an addition to the prevailing convent. It might be “faith-based, however inclusive,” with any household, no matter spiritual background or affiliation, welcome to use for an area.
Limen couldn’t say when building would possibly begin. That may rely upon how shortly the funding can come collectively, however she stated she has religion all will occur in its correct time.
“Folks stated that (elevating the $2 million) can be inconceivable contemplating our sources,” stated Liman, including that members of their order take vows of poverty.
“So, we don’t actually have sufficient. However I all the time assume that what’s inconceivable with man, is feasible with God. It all the time comes (by).
“So, with this mission, we actually and really imagine that is God’s will – in any other case we wouldn’t be right here.”
The sisters have already raised about $150,000 for the mission and hope the neighborhood may help increase the remaining funds. Anybody wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution can contact the sisters instantly.
“The generosity of the neighborhood continues to astound us,” stated Sister Mary Margherita Ianni, the native superior who’s spearheading the mission.
“If this purpose goes to turn out to be actuality, co-operation and help might be required from all ranges of presidency, in addition to the enterprise neighborhood and people.”
The Sisters of the Sacred Coronary heart of Jesus of Ragusa moved to Summerside in 2018 on the behest of the now-retired Bishop Richard Grecco, of the Diocese of Charlottetown. They opened their first convent in P.E.I on Granville Road. The order had beforehand operated in Welland, Ont., for a number of many years.
The order has an extended historical past of devoting itself to childcare. It operated a big daycare facility in Welland for 60 years. All three of the sisters in Summerside are educated and licensed childcare suppliers with a few years of expertise. The sisters have all the time stated their long-term plan was to open a childcare facility of their new residence.
In truth, it was that intention that value the order its first alternative for a house right here. In late 2016, the sisters requested metropolis officers for a variance on a South Drive residence they deliberate to purchase and renovate into their convent. Householders within the neighbourhood objected to the thought of a childcare facility opening of their midst (principally due to perceived additional noise and site visitors) and efficiently lobbied the council of the day to disclaim the request.
That call compelled the nuns to delay and alter their plans. They finally secured a land donation from developer Tim Banks on Granville Road and opened their convent’s doorways in 2018. They launched their present childcare program later that yr.
The group had supposed to proceed with its enlargement plans earlier however was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Colin MacLean is a reporter with the SaltWire Community in Prince Edward Island. He may be reached by e-mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @JournalPMacLean.
