Fundraiser to feature music, murder

In January 2023, the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine launched a major capital campaign called “Home for the Heart” to raise money for the renovations of our Guest House. We needed to raise $6 million for this project, which would include a new roof and new windows, environmentally friendly heating and cooling systems, several fully accessible bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, better shared bathrooms and an accessible entrance to the Guest House.

The Sisters have spent countless hours with the architects and the capital campaign committee. In the summer, we agreed to take $2 million from our investments for the capital campaign, leaving us to raise $4 million. Our capital campaign committee, chaired by Archbishop Fred Hiltz and Sr. Constance Joanna, together with several of our associates and oblates, have worked extremely hard over the past year. On Feb. 9, 2024 – the Feast of Mother Hannah, our Mother Foundress – we had a service of thanksgiving for all those who had helped us and donated to the campaign, including the Diocese of Toronto. The total raised is now $4,945,000.

We still need to raise another $1 million. We are having a major fundraiser on April 13 in Snell Hall at St. James Cathedral. It will begin with live music provided by jazz musician Nathan Hiltz and his quartet and will be followed by a radio play. Many of the Sisters love reading mysteries and one of the most popular series is by Louise Penny, a Canadian author who writes about a small, hidden village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec called Three Pines. Eric Alexandre has written a radio play based on Louise Penny’s first book, Still Life, which the Sisterhood has been given permission to present at the fundraiser. Ms. Penny is sending us a brief recording of herself that will be heard before the play begins. The play is directed by the Rev. Canon Michael Burgess and the cast includes the Very Rev. Peter Wall as Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Archbishop Colin Johnson as Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and the Rev. Michael Coren as Ben. The evening includes a wine and cheese reception. All are invited. For details, visit the SSJD website, www.ssjd.ca.