During a ceremony on April 17 in Paris, France, Mrs. Magda Fares was honored at the Europoésie-UNICEF International Contest. She won the 1st Prize of the Francophonie in the category “Story and Short Story” for her story “The Black Butterfly”.

During the official ceremony at the town hall of the 11th district, Mrs. Magda Fares is seen in the front row.

Within the framework of this official ceremony of awarding prizes to the laureates, held at the city hall of the Eleventh district, Mrs. Fares also received a diploma of honor for all her poems in the collection entitled “A book For the Eyes of the Heart” under the theme of the competition “Protection of Childhood”.

Aside from these honorary titles, Mrs. Fares also received a medal for her first prize, a certificate, a beautiful painting, several anthologies and collections of poetry as well as the magazine “Défense de la langue française : promotion et rayonnement”. 

With Joël Conte-Taillasson, President of the association “Rencontres européennes Europoésie REE” and initiator of the International Europoésie-UNICEF Competition, during the prize-awarding ceremony last April 17, in Paris.

“My heart is full of gratitude, especially since this is an international prize for the entire French-speaking world. I dare to hope that I have contributed a little to the influence of our beautiful French language, as well as to the protection of children with organization UNICEF. It warms my heart,” she said after this important event.

A few weeks later, Mrs. Fares had another nice surprise when she received the digital version of the magazine Pèlerin en marche (PEM #74) in which  her story “Le papillon noir”, winner of the 1st Prize, was published on page 22. “I enjoyed reading this rich and varied magazine and especially the dossier “Cursillistes Pèlerins au cœur du monde : en marche par-delà les frontières” by Gilles Baril. 

During the virtual SNJM 2022 Birthday Party, Magda Fares had read some of her poetry and played piano. Ms. Vita Lewis, SNJM Associate, had introduced her to the Congregation. The two have known each other for several years and collaborate on projects.  In the past, she has also hosted a few music and poetry recitals with her friends from the cercle des Poètes de la Montérégie at Maison Jésus-Marie.

Photo credit: Magda Fares

Violette Blais, who taught piano to the students of Pensionnat Saint-Nom-de-Marie (PSNM) for 28 years, was delighted to set foot once again on the grounds of École de musique Vincent-d’Indy on April 15. Her presence at the Inter-Student Competition allowed her to experience a more than symbolic return to her roots, in addition to chatting with the guests.

“I loved the teachers and students I worked with all those years,” says Sr. Violette, who had served as music director at PSNM. 

From left to right, we see Mrs. Hélène Garceau’s spouse, Julio Gonzalo, assistant director, Sr. Violette Blais, snjm, and Mélissa Faustin, coordinator of musical projects.

Many memories come back to her, especially meeting with students who often confided in her. Recognizing her great listening skills and her gentle approach, it was not uncommon for her to welcome students who were looking for a sympathetic ear or for help. 

This quality of relationship that she has built with the students has not wavered. Even today, some students and even their parents come to visit her at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) or take her out for a meal. “I am really spoiled,” she says. Each evening after supper, Violette visits the Sisters in the infirmary, to simply say hello or to chat with them.

By attending the Inter-Student Competition as a representative of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) for the posthumous tribute to Sr. Marie-Paule Provost, Sr. Violette experienced a great moment of pleasure, as much for her ears as for her heart. She put the bouquet of flowers, that she had received at the piano competition, in the chapel of MJM so as to share them with all her companions living at MJM.

Photo credit: École de musique Vincent-d’Indy and Sr Suzanne Brault

The 50th anniversary of the Inter-Student Competition, a flagship event of École de musique Vincent-d’Indy (EMVI), was an opportunity to pay tribute to the artisans of this musical competition. Sr. Marie-Paule Provost, SNJM received a posthumous tribute, while Hélène Garceau and Thérèse Marcy were also recognized. Those in charge of the event wished to highlight their great contribution to the success of this extensive competition.  

Julio Gonzalo, assistant director, and Mélissa Faustin, coordinator of musical projects at the time of paying a posthumous tribute to Sr Marie-Paule Provost, SNJM

Sr. Violette Blais, SNJM, was happy to listen to the students, to speak with those present and to receive the tribute on behalf of her colleague Sr. Marie-Paule Provost who had been the Affiliate Teacher Leader for 10 years and the Academic Director of EMVI for seven years. Since 1989 the Marie-Paule Provost trophy has been awarded annually to the student with the highest post-graduate average.  

Mrs. Hélène Garceau and her spouse during the 50th edition of the Vincent-d’Indy Inter-student Competition which paid tribute to her.

The organizers also paid tribute to Ms. Hélène Garceau for her contribution as head of the institutional programs and the Inter-Student Competition from 2004 to 2017 and for creating the duets and trios category at the competition. A trophy in her name has been awarded since 2017 to the students who obtained the highest score in their instrument category in duets or trios.

Mrs. Thérèse Marcy, responsible for organizing the Inter-Student Competition from 1988 to 2004 also has a trophy in her honor to reward students in the concert category that she created. 

The Inter-Student Competition brings together some 350 participants annually. They benefit from the institution’s educational program through dozens of affiliated teachers, by discipline and by level (from 1 to 9).

The event takes place over three weekends and concludes with two days of gala concerts. Awards are given to the top three winners in each category. With the support of partners, more than $16,000 was awarded to the winners in the form of scholarships, gift cards, etc. “The Inter-Student Competition is a great incentive for young musicians to surpass themselves and persevere,” said Julio Gonzalo, Assistant Director at the Vincent d’Indy School of Music.

As Sr. Marie-Paule wrote at the 15th edition of the competition held in 1988, “As long as there are teachers affiliated with the Vincent d’Indy School of Music willing to improve their teaching, to help their students to gain a better understanding and a greater love of beautiful music; and as long as there are volunteers, our competition will always bring a boost to the students’ musical world.”

A student during his performance at the gala concert of the EMVI Inter-student competition.

Photo credit: Vincent-d’Indy School of Music

The resistance of the elderly tenants of the Mont-Carmel Residence is the subject of a documentary on the harsh reality of renovictions. Journalist Noémi Mercier of the Noovo channel takes the audience behind the scenes of the on-going struggle of these seniors who are determined to assert their rights. We are promised an intimate and endearing, not to say moving, portrait of the situation in which people over 80 years old are immersed.

Identified as a private residence for seniors (RPA), the Mont-Carmel residence in Montreal was purchased by Henry Zavriyev, a real estate developer. He is known to use many schemes to evict tenants. His goal is to renovate the building in order to re-rent it or sell it for more money. It is in this spirit that the new owner decided to withdraw the RPA certification for this building, thus depriving all the tenants of the various services attached to this certification.

Since then, the Mont-Carmel Residents’ Committee has obtained an order to maintain Mont-Carmel RPA status. This order was renewed on March 20th and extended the certification until September 18, 2023. This is another victory for the residents, who unfortunately must continue their struggle to have their basic needs respected, particularly in terms of security.

Thus, on February 28, the Committee sent a formal notice to ensure compliance with the standards set out in the RPP regulations, such as the watertightness of fire doors and the provision of a “call for help” system for each resident. This new action is part of the follow-up to the February 10th order in connection with the case of a lawsuit for damages for non-compliance with leases.

This is in addition to the proceedings before the Administrative Housing Tribunal (AHT) and the hearings on various aspects to be held at the Superior Court scheduled for May. In short, the Mont-Carmel Residents’ Committee is still forced  to fight against the measures taken by the owner. To keep up with this saga, visit the Committee’s Facebook page. (French only) 

The documentary will initially be broadcast on Crave TV on May 3^rd.  A broadcast on May 12^th at 9pm is planned on Noovo and will then be available on Noovo.ca  and Noovo.info

Watch the trailer of the documentary. (French only)

The “FAR” (Fondation des archives religieuses) – (Foundation of Religious Archives) project of Greater Montreal is becoming more concrete with the recent launching of its Web site and the announcement at the end of March of the arrival of Jean-Louis Roy as ambassador.   

His mandate will be to introduce the general public, historical researchers and various institutional bodies to the vocation of the “FAR”.  “Religious communities… have had the extraordinary foresight and sensitivity… to create this pool of common resources, which will lead to the creation of a very large center for religious archives in the Montreal region,” said Mr. Roy, former director of the Bibliothèque et archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ).  

Unique project in Longueuil

The “FAR” project is located on a property that once belonged to the Congregation of Notre-Dame Sisters in Old Longueuil. The project provides for the use of the historic building, an expansion and an upgrade to meet current archival standards. It requires an investment of $20 million, financed entirely by the private funds of the religious Communities. It is estimated that this Religious Archives Center, the largest in Canada, will be operational in early 2025. 

This ambitious project brings together 14 religious Congregations of women and men. According to the wishes of each Congregation, the Foundation will gather the historical archives of each Congregation. That is, at least in the case for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) who will transfer all the archives of the general and provincial administrations in Quebec and Ontario, as well as the documents related to the convents created in these two provinces.

The SNJM’s also plan to give written texts, plans, photos and all original documentation, as well as a number of objects – artifacts. The selection of all these resources is based on the desire to “bear witness, as best as possible, to the mission and apostolate of the Congregation,” says Geneviève Noël, Director of the SNJM’s Central Archives Service.

Pearls of history…

The “FAR” website already gives a glimpse of what you can expect to find as time goes by. In addition to current news such as the article about the career of Ms. Céline Widmer, Director of Conservation and Processing, there is also a short article on a historical feature entitled “Photography or Painting?” 

Enhanced by the historical elements preserved by the SNJM’s, this vignette allows us to discover some of the pearls of history that will surely be reported in the future; relying on the richness and great diversity of the archival material accumulated by each religious Congregation. 

It is a reference to be kept and consulted on a more regular basis once the Archives Center is operational. (French only)

The recent visit of Mireille (Miray Alfreeh) Allaham and her two children Mewra and Michou to Maison Jésus-Marie was a beautiful reunion with the Sisters. The first Syrian refugee family was sponsored by a group from the diocese of Longueuil which included the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM). This young family has integrated well into their adoptive country.

Recent photo of the Allaham family, Mewra, Mireille, Mousa and Michou.

They are now Canadian citizens.  The father Mousa, a cabinetmaker by trade, has launched his own business in this field. He works in the manufacturing of office furniture, kitchen furniture and others. The young family bought a house and now lives in Boisbriand.  Mireille, the mother of the family, works part-time so that she has more time to take care of the children, aged 11 and 6 (on June 30th). The youngest was born in Quebec.

With the help of the Longueuil sponsorship group, coordinated by Jacques Morin, a process is underway to bring in the family of Mireille’s sister. This family has four members, including the sister Pascal.

The Alhanout family. We recognize Michel, Marcel, Antoinette and Elyas.

The situation is just as positive for the second family of Syrian refugees, who have become Canadian citizens and are still living in Longueuil. The father Élyas Alhanout has been working at the Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Co-cathedral since the beginning. His wife, Antoinette, works in a restaurant in the city while one of the sons, Michel (Majed) is studying medicine. The second son, Marcel (Marvel), is working in the digital industry. A sponsorship application is also underway to welcome the family of Mirna, daughter of Elyas and Antoinette. The Longueuil sponsorship committee will welcome a total of eight people with these two new families.

“The language issue is more easily resolved when families have children who go to school,” says Jacques Morin, proud of the journey of these two families who have shown great resilience.

The contribution of the community is important to facilitate integration

Looking back on this experience with Syrian refugees, Jacques Morin does not hesitate to point out that “The contribution of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) has enormously simplified the sponsorship process for the two Syrian families.”

This contribution took various forms, from material assistance to encouragement, hospitality and financial support.  “I always felt that all the Sisters, from the youngest to the oldest, from the most alert to the most limited by health issues, were involved and proud of this project.  The families and the sponsoring group owe them a lot,” he adds. This support is still very concrete in the current sponsorship process.

Jacques Morin, coordinator of the refugee sponsorship committee in Longueuil at a meeting formalizing the Corporate stand for SNJM migrants in October 2017.

Since the arrival of the refugee families in 2016-2017, a few of the people in the sponsorship group have remained closely connected with them. “They have become friends,” says Jacques Morin, who continues to be very involved with the migrants. He also leads a francization group of eight students at Carrefour Le Moutier.

To promote the integration of these people from different backgrounds, he set up an intercultural and intergenerational project in collaboration with the people of the Paul-Pratt Residence in Longueuil. “It takes an environment to welcome and encourage more personal community encounters with migrants,” he says. His project is a response to the almost total lack of opportunities for these migrants to meet French-speaking Quebecers and build relationships.

During a recent meeting between students and people from the Paul-Pratt Residence, Jacques Morin was particularly moved when he saw participants exchanging big hugs at the end of the meeting. It was a good example of how important such encounters are for both migrants and local citizens.