At a meeting in February 2020, Bishop Logan McMenamie informed Sr. Elizabeth Rolfe-Thomas that, due to budget constraints, the diocese would have to reduce its financial support to the Sisterhood of St John the Divine (SSJD) going forward. At that meeting, Sr. Elizabeth acknowledged that the Sisterhood is finding it increasingly difficult to staff St John’s House. The Sisterhood of St John the Divine had a special chapter to consider the situation and regretfully made the decision to close the branch house in the Diocese of British Columbia in June, 2020.

There will be an opportunity to say farewell to the sisters at St. John’s House in the early part of June. More information to follow.

We do not see this as an ending of the relationship between the diocese and the Sisterhood. The Sisterhood will seek ways to maintain a presence in the diocese by arranging to visit, at the invitation of the diocese, to offer retreats, quiet days, and workshops. We look forward, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, to continuing to strengthen our bonds of affection in new ways for years to come.

BACKGROUND

In November 2002, at the invitation of the Diocese of British Columbia the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine came to the diocese to be a praying presence in its midst. Living temporarily at Queenswood with the Sisters of St. Anne, in May 2003 the sisters opened a branch house, St John’s House, in Victoria, B.C. The invitation from the diocese included financial support to cover the costs associated with the branch house, and it has remained part of the diocesan budget since 2003.