Seeds of the Word move into their new home

The Seeds of the Word Community is starting a new chapter. On Tuesday, Sept 9, 2025 the community officially moved into their new home just north of Calgary, now called the St. John Paul II House, a space that gives the growing community room to live, pray, and continue their mission.

Blessing of the New House

On September 9, Bishop William McGrattan celebrated Mass at the new house and blessed the St. Catherine of Siena Oratory. Fr. Nathan Siray was master of ceremonies, joined by Fr. Fabio DeSouza, Fr. John Peter, and Fr. Troy Nguyen as concelebrants. Members of the Seeds community, along with the new group of Sabbatical Year Companions and their families, were present for the celebration.

Why the Move?

The new house, located at 15206 Township Rd 262 in Rocky View County, was formerly the Divine Mercy Centre. With their community growing, Seeds of the Word needed more space. 

“As we are growing, there was a need to move to a new location that would better suit and accommodate the needs of our mission,” said Sr. Mary Elisabeth. “We had outgrown the old location, and this new house is a blessing that allows us to continue our mission with greater capacity.”

Looking Ahead

The change excites the community. “It feels like a new beginning, and we are looking forward to seeing how the Lord will call us and our mission to grow with these new opportunities,” Sr. Mary Elisabeth shared.

One detail ties the new residence to Seeds houses worldwide: the yellow wall in the chapel. For the Seeds of the Word Community, yellow is more than a design choice. It symbolizes the presence of God, divine light, faith, renewal, and hope.
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“In every Seeds house, our chapels share the same colour and pattern,” Sr. Mary Elisabeth explained. “It is intentional, the same cross, the same icons.”

Sisters of Divine Mercy in Bowness

While the former Divine Mercy Centre, located north of Calgary, is now home to the Seeds of the Word, the Sisters of Divine Mercy continue their mission from Bowness, where they have been based since last year. Their current residence in Bowness is now the Divine Mercy Centre (7608 39 Avenue NW, Calgary), which includes the Divine Mercy Chapel, a place of perpetual adoration.

Situated in Calgary’s Bowness neighbourhood, the Sisters remain closely connected to people from all walks of life in the spirit of accompaniment. They offer perpetual adoration at the Divine Mercy Chapel, provide an online portal for adoration for shut-ins, visit schools and parishes, and host spiritual programs and regular activities of prayer and formation at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, with the support of the pastor, Fr. Matthew Emmelkamp, and the parish community.

Founded in 2015 during the Jubilee Year of Mercy by Bishop Frederick Henry, the Sisters of Divine Mercy are a Public Association of the Faithful in the Diocese of Calgary. Their life combines contemplative prayer, especially Eucharistic adoration, Marian devotion, and the Divine Mercy devotion, with active witness to the New Evangelization. 

To find more information about the Sisters of Divine Mercy, their charisms and activities, visit sistersofdivinemercy.org

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Photos & Video courtesy of Bandi Szakony, Seeds of the Word Community, and Sisters of Divine Mercy.