The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception Legacy Fund

The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception (SCIC) were established in 1854 by Honoria Conway and three companions in response to urgent needs of Irish immigrants arriving in the City of Saint John during cholera epidemics. This became the catalyst for their mission of caring for orphans, the sick, the elderly and those living in poverty throughout Greater Saint John.

The community was the first English-speaking, Roman Catholic religious congregation founded in Canada. For the past 170 years, sisters provided education, health care, and social service throughout New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, central, western, and northern Canada, as well as Ireland. For fifty years, they also lived and ministered in various regions of Peru, South America.

Today, the SCIC continue their outreach and advocacy to include social and ecological justice and peace, racial and social equality, and truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

The SCIC have a strong and deep intention of gathering the wisdom of their community life, work and mission to date and blessing the future. The Sisters of Charity of the Immaculate Conception Fund was created in 2023 as a legacy for the people of Greater Saint John to respond to current and future needs and enhance collaboration and partnerships within the social purpose sector. The fund will support the charitable causes traditionally supported by the SCIC.

The Community Foundation is incredibly honoured to have been entrusted with this fund, that will continue their legacy of dedication to compassionate service and support for the community.