The Martha Retreat Centre can be found along Scenic Drive South in Lethbridge (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

New leadership for Martha Retreat Centre

Oct 28, 2019 | 10:11 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – There’s a new team running the Martha Retreat Centre.

The Sisters of St. Martha built the facility along Scenic Drive South in Lethbridge and ran it for 50 years. During those 50 years, the Sisters lived at the facility.

They’re still involved in the maintenance and governance but have returned to Nova Scotia to help communities on the East Coast.

“It’s a building that lots of people drive by every day and might not notice. It’s a lovely little brown building right beside Radiology Associates on Scenic Drive South,” said Cheryl Dick, Board Chair for the Board of Directors for the Martha Retreat Centre Society.

Dick explained that when it was made known that the Sisters were leaving the region, a committee was formed – known as the Martha Retreat Centre Society – to take over and carry on the work of the Sisters.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

“We’ve probably been working on it for about three years (formation of the society) because we knew that they were going to be going home and they left this summer, but we’re very committed to their mission of what their legacy is at the retreat centre. It’s a beautiful place for people to step out of the busyness of day-to-day life and find a place of quiet, of peace where they can reflect and get some time away that allows them to kind of reset and look towards their future with some balance,” Dick said.

“You know, in today’s busy world it’s just so typical that we get caught up and we kind of forget to take care of ourselves and to practice being able to withdraw from all of the things that distract us and keep us going a million miles an hour and the retreat centre is really a place for that kind of reflection, rest and renewal.”

Dick said they have rooms for programs and retreats, overnight and during the daytime.

The Society’s Board of Directors consists of Elda Barva, Annette BruisedHead, Sister Stella Chafe, Robert (Bob) Campbell, Kathy Gillis, Sister Theresa Parker, Lisa Schmidt, Debra Tarnava and Cheryl Dick.

The Board hired Dr. Mark Nixon as Executive Director. Nixon is a retired teacher and former Chaplain with Catholic Central High School.

The Board will be hosting a community open house on Sunday, November 3 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Anyone interested in meeting members of the Board and staff is invited to attend.

Dick said they are looking for volunteers to help at the centre.

“We have a lot of work to do to figure out how we’re going to continue running it in the way the Sisters have done, but we really believe that we’ve got this enthusiastic board and the people who’ve taken advantage of the Centre over the years will all step up to make sure that we can make it successful for the long term,” she told Lethbridge News Now.

“It is one of those places that’s kind of a hidden gem in our community and you know, it’s nice now that we want to be able to open it up and have everyone be able to take advantage of that. I don’t know about you, but I’m always happy when I can find a spot to be quiet and step away from all the day-to-day responsibilities and just take care of myself, and I think lots of people in the community would find that helpful in their lives.”

The Martha Retreat Centre is located at 1130 Scenic Drive South in Lethbridge.