Sancta Maria House was opened on Valentine’s Day, 1960, by the Sancta Maria Praesidium of the Legion of Mary, with support from local priests and the archbishop. The residence that became Sancta Maria House – at 2056 West 7 th Avenue, next door to St. Augustine’s Church – was nearly 50 years old at the time, having operated as a convent home for Sisters of St. Ann who taught and worked in Vancouver.
Sancta Maria House opened as a Catholic hostel for women in need. For decades it operated under the love and care of Legionary, Mary Sawyer, who lived as a housemother, offering the continuity of counselling and support needed by the women who came to stay. For nearly 40 years Mary Sawyer gave herself completely and wholeheartedly to the care and service of the women who came to her.
In 2004, after decades of “24-7” service, Agape Street Ministry assumed facilitation of Sancta Maria House. Mary Sawyer’s legacy of love and service would live on as Agape’s vision for a healing recovery home took root. Something new began to unfold at Sancta Maria House: a structured, Christ-centered, twelve-step program, offered in a warm, family environment was adopted in an effort to address the significant needs of the women struggling from drugs and alcohol. At the end of 2004, Pat and Vicki Conroy, the lay founders of Agape Street Ministry, became Sancta Maria houseparents, and two years later, retired nurse, Sharon Dobin, became president and assumed responsibility for the house.
Over the years, more than 200 beautiful women have graced Sancta Maria House, each one unique and treasured. Some of these women have stayed as short as three months, while others have lived at Sancta Maria House for over a year or longer. Many have expressed feeling at home as soon as they walked through the doors of Sancta Maria House, and many women have come to know Jesus deeply and have experienced much healing.
God’s unfailing grace and the years of unconditional love, toil, and service have born much fruit at Sancta Maria House. As women have grown, they have been reunited with their children and families and been supported in reintegrating into the community. Over a dozen women from the house have embraced Christianity and have been welcomed into the Catholic Church at St. Augustine’s. At least half a dozen women, graduating from Sancta Maria House, have entered service and leadership by returning to serve as houseparents.
Sancta Maria House president, Sharon Dobin recalls,
“As I look over the names of the women who have graced us at Sancta Maria House, my heart is full of so many memories, so many special, beautiful women — women who have struggled so much, who have suffered so much, who have endured so much, who have loved so much. Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of Sancta Maria House to us and to the women you love so dearly. We pray that you will send many more women to us — many more women to be loved; to be nurtured and to be led to your heart, for within your heart they find healing, wholeness and freedom. We thank you, Lord for your great providence. We thank all the wonderful volunteers, facilitators, and all those who support us financially and in prayer. We thank you for hearing God’s invitation to give your love to the women in need.”