Franciscans of Halifax Language selection: Our History....Part 1 Many things have a very simple beginning, often times one not even dreamed of...It was in this manner, that in 2001 Fr. Darek and Fr. Roberto decided to form a prayer group in the Parish of St. John Vianney in Lower Sackville. The Pastor at that time gave his consent, and soon a group of 22 persons began to meet weekly, on Monday evening. The motive for the request of the parishioners of the Parish was the desire to deepen their Catholic Faith, the desire to learn to pray and to have a community with which to share this path. From this group and others that were formed after (among them there were also youth and young adults) there began to sprout vocations to the religious life. Very soon, a problem became evident: young people did not feel called to the forms of religious life that the Diocese could offer. Some of them, men as well as women, would have had to leave the Diocese and in some cases even the country in order to answer the voice speaking to their hearts. It was during this time that Fr. James and the Archbishop Prendergast, S.J., suggested the formation of a religious community, here, in our Diocese. Therefore in 2004/2005 we began to have discernment meetings on Saturdays and Sundays. These meetings were for both, men and women. We often had a full house... The first members of our community from top to bottom: Bonnie, aka Sr. Teresa, Kevin, aka Br. Peter, Thelma, aka Sr. Rita, Erin, aka Sr. Miryam Home Spirituality Links Pictures Where to find us Who we are Our History Contemplative Life Active Life Franciscan Life Contact