The SNJMs of Quebec Are Very Committed to Laudato Si’

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) in Quebec have long been concerned with integral ecology. And it’s certainly not because they are older that they don’t concern themselves with these issues or take part in day-to-day actions.

Sr. Monique Gendron can testify to this. The residents of Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) contribute one gesture at a time to reduce, reuse, recycle, repair and give back to the earth (5Rs), as evidenced by all these actions.

It goes without saying that paper, cardboard and plastic have long been recycled as evidenced by how quickly the bins fill up. Of course, the use of plastic water bottles has long since been almost eliminated, replaced by reusable containers. We continue to collect all other containers that can be recycled. We’ve even installed an easily accessible bin for soft drink cans.

Concrete gestures

As another example of reuse, the Sisters collect bread bags and redistribute them to people who use them for a variety of purposes, such as picking up after their pets.

When it comes to clothing, nothing goes to waste. Clothes in good condition are given to a Big Brothers Big Sisters organization, while those that are no longer usable are redirected to another organization that uses them to make rags, for example. In other cases, the clothes are handed to talented seamstresses who give them a second life and make many people happy. Sisters Gisèle Croteau and Lise Bernier are responsible for this aspect.

All objects that are no longer useful are collected for a bazaar organized to benefit the works of the Société de Saint-Vincent de Paul and a family aid organization.

In a dedicated area, there are bins to collect used batteries and various items, including those that should be slated for landfill. Sr. Monique takes the various items to the right places, such as the ecocenter, to avoid contamination in landfills and thus to further protect the earth.

Raising awareness long before Laudato Si’

Sr. Monique’s concern for the environment goes a long way back. Right from the start of her teaching Grade 2 at Sainte-Marie-des-Anges school in Charlemagne, she was urging her pupils to carefully avoid ending up with “an earth that has become a mountain of garbage”. These words echo those of Pope Francis during Laudato Si’ Week.

Throughout her 33-year teaching career, she has always been concerned about protecting the environment. It is an interest that has led her to adopt ecological behaviors, raise awareness among others, and finally to overseeing this aspect at MJM. This daily operation is a success, because “the Sisters are aware of the impacts and are motivated.” They participate very well.

“Sowing hope”

Alongside all these actions, we must not forget the composting operation. From spring to autumn, Sisters who wish to do so, cut up the banana peels and other fruit peels from what they have eaten, before putting them into a compost container. Sister Léa Dulude, who is in charge of the garden and the vegetable garden, puts this natural fertilizer into the ground throughout the summer season and sometimes there are pleasant surprises. It’s not uncommon for her to see the seed of a fruit sprout through her plantings. She then hastens to put this young shoot in a small container that will brighten up a window sill during the cold season.

It is clear that the SNJMs in Quebec have adopted ways that support the Laudato Si’ theme “Sowing Hope”. Better still, they continue to raise awareness and develop new ways of doing things, such as considering a biomethanization project to recycle the paper plates and glasses used during meetings held at MJM.

Photos credit: Sr. Suzanne Brault