For the past eight years, the Sisters at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) have been participating in a Lenten activity: the hunger meal. “It is an opportunity to experience what others feel on a daily basis”, underlines Sr. Gabrielle Brunet, who initiated this activity.

A missionary in Haiti for 28 years, Sr. Gabrielle is sensitive to the very difficult living conditions of many impoverished people in Haiti as well as here. She therefore suggested organizing a hunger meal during which only a bowl of soup and bread (accompanied with butter or cheese) is served. It is eaten in silence and is followed by a time of reflection and a period of sharing.

From left to right, Sisters Rita Marcoux, Rita Brière, Gabrielle Brunet.

It is important to note that this activity fits in perfectly with the “Development and Peace” Lenten campaign focused on the theme This Lent, Let’s Put People and the Planet First. Sr. Jeanne Dagenais facilitated the reflection and sharing component. Some of the participants commented that this very enriching meal raised their awareness.

Sr Monique L’Écuyer (seated) and Sr Jeanne Dagenais

This year, the reflection focused on the Scripture text of the multiplication of the loaves. Sr. Jeanne guided the discussion by inviting the Sisters to express what the bread represents and also on their actions of sharing carried out in recent months: contributing to Operation Shoebox to help itinerants and the homeless, sending out Mother’s Day cards and distributing hundreds of knitted goods for several causes in the region.

In addition to all these gestures of sharing, we must also mention the monetary donation the Sisters gave to the “Development and Peace” fundraising campaign. This campaign aims to help marginalized populations in certain parts of the world, including South American countries.

This event demonstrates the awareness of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) to current realities. “We cannot remain insensitive to all that is happening today,” concludes Sr. Gabrielle.

Photo credits: Sr Hélène Harvey

Invited to speak about the commitments of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) to social justice prior to Laudato Si’, Sisters Claudette Bastien and Lise Gagnon highlighted the diversity and form of these commitments. This sharing took place April 6, during a webinar on the Laudato Si’ Action Platform organized by the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC).

From the outset, Sr. Lise Gagnon posed the question, “Could it be that our experience as Quebec women religious, women at the grassroots, very much linked to justice… we were already immersed in Laudato Si’ when the pope refers to ‘integral ecology’… ecology that is linked to the economy, to politics, to daily life, to the common good, to justice…”

To support this question, Sr. Claudette recalled the adoption of “the three Corporate Stands on Water (2008), on Immigration and Refugees (2017), and on Human Trafficking (2004) that led us to network with other Congregations, for example with those women involved in CATHII.”

Sr Claudette Bastien, snjm

The reflection eventually evolved to the creation, together with other Religious Congregations, of UNANIMA International, an non-governmental organization (NGO) working at the United Nations. This initiative has “allowed us to take part in the sessions on the Status of Women (CSW) and the United Nations Conferences on SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT… and to maintain our openness to international issues.”

Sisters Claudette and Lise’s witness provided an opportunity to point out that the use of fair-trade coffee, biodegradable cleaning products, judicious use of water, etc. had a positive effect on the daily life of the Sisters in the community. Actions, related to social justice, to support the poor are still ongoing. They also referenced the recent campaign 500 Actions Against Trafficking in connection with the anniversary of the canonization of Saint Josephine Bakhita, the assistance to refugees, the support to various campaigns pertaining to homeless women, indigenous people, etc.

In conclusion, they extended an invitation to attend a virtual Laudato Si’ retreat in August with Sr. Lorraine St-Hilaire, an SNJM Sister from Manitoba. Sr. Lise underlined that the purpose of the four or five-day retreat “offered to Congregations, will be to focus on our connection to creation, our theology in the face of a suffocating Earth, a spirituality that  sustains all life and our motivation to remain active in working for a better world.”

Sr Lise Gagnon, snjm

During the discussion period, a Holy Cross Sister encouraged participants to take part in the retreat so as to “look at the spirituality and charism of our Congregations in light of Laudato Si. It was also mentioned several times, that the call for social justice is not new in Quebec; as Religious Congregations have had very close ties with community organizations since the 1970’s.

Other participants noted that Networking is part of the know-how of Religious Congregations in Quebec and has been for a long time. The sharing time was an opportunity to impart knowledge to the younger generation and to clarify the work of the Action Committee against Internal and International Human Trafficking (CATHII).

The purpose of this webinar was to “equip participants to respond” to the call for active participation in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform launched in the Fall of 2021. The webinar was aimed at respondents and members of the JPIC Quebec network as well as at leaders and members of committees dealing with social justice and ecological issues within Religious Congregations in Quebec. The presentation on the platform  was made by Bernard Hudon, SJ, biol.

Photo credits: Canadian Religious Conference (CRC)

Fr. Fontaine, the chaplain, wears the transmitter around his neck.

The decision taken by the Board of Directors of Maison Jésus-Marie to purchase technological communication equipment was enthusiastically applauded by all the hearing-impaired Sisters.

This acquisition has greatly improved their quality of life. “This is the best purchase that has been made in years,” says one Sister who can once again fully participate in group activities.

The technological communication system, which includes transmitters and receivers, along with a mobile sound column, can be moved to specific rooms or to the chapel. This system is available to facilitators and to those who are hearing-impaired, during their activities.  These user-friendly headphones, boost the Sisters’ self-confidence  and facilitate their engagement in various community activities.

Since the introduction of this equipment was introduced, Ii’s wonderful to see the sparkle in the eyes of some and the boost of energy in others. A 103-year-old Sister can now enthusiastically follow the instructions during the sessions offered by the kinesiologist. There are those who can finally share with each other during activities.

Sisters Magella and Thérèse Cadorette appreciate this new equipment.

This technological equipment, affectionately called “bionic ears” has radically changed the lives of many Sisters who now have a much better quality of life.  In addition, they greatly facilitate the task of those who accompany them to their activities. In short, this acquisition is helping everyone.

Photo credits: Sr. Hélène Harvey

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has invited all the faithful to join Pope Francis in praying for peace in Ukraine. The CCCB statement highlights the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary at a celebration in Rome on March 25.

At the same time, several other solidarity actions were carried out by various organizations, including Development and Peace. For its part, the Leadership Teams of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), meeting in assembly, adopted a Declaration that calls for peace and solidarity.

The statement encourages the authorities to do everything possible to quickly provide the necessary support to Ukrainian refugees. A copy of the statement was sent to the Prime Minister of Canada and the Ukrainian Embassy in Canada.

In her introductory remarks in the latest issue of the UNANIMA International newsletter, Executive Director Jean Quinn, fdls, mentions several major elements that marked the year 2021. Among other things, she notes the NGO’s pride in having succeeded in bringing the issue of homelessness to the forefront at the United Nations Assembly, which unanimously adopted the resolution that the organization had introduced. “This is a monumental accomplishment… because the topic of homelessness was largely missing from the international community’s agenda for decades…”

The newsletter presents the ongoing actions of the committees at the UN, including the Commission for Social Development. It highlights the Joint Statement with the International Presentation Association (IPA) which raised the issue of the specific vulnerabilities of women and girls throughout the pandemic.

There is also an article on the 66th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. In connection with the theme “Climate Change – Environment – Disaster Risk Reduction – Gender Equality at the Center of Solutions”, UNANIMA International has applied to present a statement during the session, which, if accepted, will be read virtually. The NGO will also host a side event with the Working Group to End Homelessness entitled “Climate Change: Multiple Risks for Homeless Women and Girls”.

Some information is also provided regarding the activities of the NGO Committee; the move of UNANIMA’s offices to the UN Church Center and the arrival of new interns. As usual, the newsletter provides several links to documents or websites for reference.

To learn more, check out this publication available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

The Seven Weeks for Water 2022 focuses on water justice in Europe. This theme is intended to support the WCC’s Justice and Peace pilgrimage planned mainly in Europe this year.

The “Seven Weeks for Water” campaign established by the World Council of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical Water Council in 2008 is an invitation to reflect on God’s gift of water. It offers weekly theological reflections and several resources during the seven weeks of Lent.

The reflection texts will address several water issues related to the situation in Europe, presenting various perspectives and some inequalities. The WCC encourages the use of these resources for small group discussions, personal meditation, and broadening one’s knowledge by attending the webinars that are offered.

Here is the list of topics publication dates:

Date of publication: 2 March 2022
Theme: “Water Justice Now!”, by Philip Peacock

Date of publication: 7 March 2022
Theme: Water justice towards gender justice, by Nicqui Ashwood

Date of publication: 14 March 2022
Theme: “Care for Creation and Water for life”, by Louk Andrianos

Date of publication: 21 March 2022
Theme: “Water for peace: an interfaith perspective”, by Susanne Öhlmann

Date of publication: 28 March 2022
Theme: Water for peace : an interfaith perspective

Date of publication: 4 April 2022
Theme: Water is a gift of God, a common good and a human right

Date of publication: 11 April 2022
Theme: Pilgrimage of Water Justice in Europe

Visit the WCC website to learn more about the Seven Weeks for Water.  

Under the direction of principal conductor Alexandre Da Costa, the musicians of the Orchestre symphonique de Longueuil will be touring in schools in the Montérégie area of Quebec from April to June. They will focus on two main presentations entitled Sac à surprises (Bag of Surprises) and Stradivarius à l’école – Mozart (Stradivarius at School). This is a way of keeping in touch with young people; since the Portée pédagogique program, which is twinned with the Spring Concert, has been on hiatus for the past two years due to the pandemic.

In the spirit of the Symphonic Balconies, a project had been initiated during the pandemic whereby groups of musicians from the orchestra presented concerts in seniors’ residences.  Conductor Da Costa and his musicians have now decided to launch a new project: Symphonic Gardens.

This time, some of the orchestra’s musicians, along with the violinist conductor, will present musical moments of “pure magic” to young children when visiting the region’s daycare and early childhood centers. This tour is scheduled to begin in May.

Sharing a common passion for music

 Since taking up his position, Principal Conductor Da Costa has been promoting musical literacy among youth. The OSDL’s youth program benefits from his enthusiasm to promote various approaches and thus spread his passion for music.

Activities for the Youth Series will resume with 2022-2023 season. The 22nd edition of the Spring Concert is scheduled to take place in May-June 2023. The program will include live performances with four School Matinee concerts and the continuation of the Symphonic Gardens project in daycare centres. In addition, a program will be launched in collaboration with the Fédération des Associations de musiciens éducateurs (music teachers) du Québec (FAMEQ) in September 2022 under the name “Journée musicale”. (a Day of Music)

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) have shared their passion for music and the importance of teaching it since the foundation of the Congregation. Their long-time support of the OSDL is inspired by this spirit.

In closing, we recall Conductor Da Costal and a group of musicians visiting  Maison Jésus-Marie in 2020 when he launched the Symphonic Balconies project to brighten up the lives of seniors. This project took these musicians to many regions of Quebec. Here are some video links for the pleasure of your musical soul.

At the beginning of the pandemic 2020, concert in Longueuil (Méditation de Thaïs et La Marche Radetzky)

Here is a video of the tour in the Gaspé in September 2021

Here is a video in the summer of 2021

The most recent issue of the CATHII-Info newsletter reports on several ongoing projects, including the CATHII-University project initiated last year at the UN. This project aims to train students about human trafficking issues and brings together young people from three Quebec universities. They will be able to participate in workshops on trafficking, presented at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in mid-March.

We also learned that the research project on the empowerment of survivors of trafficking is taking another step forward with the distribution of a questionnaire in three languages. The aim is to document best practices in the community sector with a particular focus on the experiences of victims. The main idea is to identify more clearly the type of interventions that help them regain control of their lives.

Included is a report on the work carried out by RATTMAQ, the Réseau d’aide aux travailleuses et travailleurs migrants agricoles du Québec (Assistance Networks for Migrant Agricultural Workers in Quebec), regarding the issues that concern these people and the need for the government to grant an open work permit to these same agricultural workers

The newsletter of the Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII – Action Committee Against Internal and International Human Trafficking) is available in English and French.

Regardless of where they live in Canada, Indigenous women and men express the same pain: “our roots have been stolen”. The hurt inflicted is evidenced by the many losses, starting with language and culture, and extending to the reduced role and power of women in their society. Whether in Quebec or Manitoba, the impacts of colonization are still felt by children “who are ashamed of who they are and what they see,” said Sheila Chippastance, Saulteaux-Métis.

Sheila participated with two other Indigenous women in the “Listening to Indigenous Voices” conference organized jointly by members of the SNJM Justice and Peace Committees in Quebec and Manitoba. The virtual meeting held on January 24 brought together some 150 people.

Reaching Out Through Emotion

During these two captivating hours, the audience was transported into the universe of the Innu people in Quebec through a televised interview with journalist and author Michel Jean, and the review of three of his books. Realizing that Indigenous people did not know their own history, particularly that of the residential schools, Michel Jean chose to write novels to better help raise awareness of their realities. It is through emotion that people are moved and can better understand the experiences of Indigenous peoples, he believes.

The presentation of three of the author’s books provided a glimpse into his family life and into homelessness in Montreal. The author’s discovery of the plight of the homeless Indigenous led to a desire to learn more and to reach out to them. Other comments included one from a participant hailing from Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean who denounced the fact that the white population was left in the dark at the time about the negative impacts of the arrival of the railway on the Indigenous community of Pointe-Bleue (Mashteuiatsh).

This first part of the conference also included the presentation of two songs on YouTube. One was a rendition of an Ojibwa prayer. The other, titled “Arnaq” (meaning woman), highlighted Inuit singer Elisapie Isaac who pays tribute to the strength of the women of her village and asks them to “never forget where you come from.”

Indigenous Realities in Manitoba

The meeting continued with elder Mae Louise Campbell, an 87-year-old wise-woman of the Ojibwa-Saulteaux Métis Nation. She continues her work tirelessly, in spite of her age. “I’m not thinking about retirement, I have too much work to do,” she said at the outset. As a keeper of the wisdom of Manitoba’s Indigenous grandmothers, she is also co-founder of a training centre dedicated to healing and education.

“We were very educated before the arrival of the whites… we had at heart the sacred aspect of all living beings, the respect towards Mother Earth”, said Mae Louise Campbell, who fights to get back the ancestral power of women. “We were the leaders of our communities and preserved harmony. Colonization took away the power of women.” It also took away a lot of knowledge (e.g., sacred laws) that was usually passed down by women in various ways, including rituals.

While stressing the urgent need to relearn everything, Mae Louise Campbell insists that we “work together,” while respecting every living being, especially “sacred” children, and the role of women. She invites us to “replace the lies and the myths — to recognize our truths” and hopes that we can now “change the ways of doing things.”

The other two guests, Patricia Mainville, from the Anishinaabe Nation and Sheila Chippastance, Saulteaux-Métis, highlighted the role of women in this era in search of reconciliation and insisted on the importance of education and of reclaiming their culture. “One person in the family can bring about change,” said Patricia, who believes in the power of education to break the cycle, to speak the truth and to grow.

Recognition and Understanding

Sheila, a teacher, believes teaching young people is part of the solution. “We have to teach them to be proud of their values, of their heritage,” she says, even though she herself learned about her culture from her non-Native mother. Of decolonization, both participants believe it is important to “recognize and understand what happened with colonization and residential schools, and all that was lost by Indigenous people starting with the ability to raise their children.”

Discovering and learning about their roots is a difficult road for Indigenous people. Both participants also lament the loss of Indigenous women’s history and the impacts of colonization that are still tangible in their communities. Listening to Indigenous voices at our table, moving forward with an open mind and compassion, these are good ways to work towards decolonization, they said.

For more information, see:

• Pathways to Decolonization – Spiritual reflections by Alf Dumont (PDF)
• Listening to Indigenous Voices – Session 10 – Pathways to Decolonization
• Indigenous Ally Toolkit

You can also watch the video of the conference below.

The sisters residing at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) participated enthusiastically in the 500 Actions against Human Trafficking in 20 Days campaign. On a collective basis, there were at least 268 actions taken, 88 of which were educational and 180 prayerful. Congregational Leader Sr. Linda Haydock aptly noted, “It’s amazing what they accomplished at MJM when they are 85 years old and older!”

On each floor of the Saint-Charles Pavilion, sisters participated in individual and group activities. For example, before Vespers, there was the daily prayer intention. For three groups of Sisters, each intention also provided a focus for discussion to deepen their understanding of the topic.

During this campaign, which began on January 20, the majority of the residents of this pavilion watched five videos on the subject of human trafficking. These clips were diffused by means of closed circuit television before the daily Mass.

To encourage participation, those in charge of animation posted, on the walls and bulletin boards around the pavilion, the Campaign’s calendar, which suggests prayers against trafficking for the 20 days from January 20 to February 8. The same calendar was also distributed in many of the sisters’ rooms.

A Similar Approach at Saint-André Pavilion

The sisters at the Saint-André pavilion also participated both collectively and individually. Like their counter-parts at Saint-Charles, they prayed daily for each of the intentions on the calendar and viewed five videos during these 20 days.

On February 8, the final day of the campaign, and also the International Day of Prayer and the Feast of St. Josephine, the sisters from both pavilions came together for the celebration of prayer prepared by the Talitha Kum network. The celebration took place in the chapel for those who could attend in person, while those who were not as mobile were able to participate by means of closed circuit television.

In addition to all these activities, some sisters have taken personal initiatives to deepen their understanding of the issue and some have signed a petition to the Quebec government to adopt an action plan against trafficking put forth by the Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII –  Committee for Action against Internal and International Human Trafficking).

As a whole, this was a beautiful demonstration of the impact of the concerted efforts of a community group following the example of Mother Marie-Rose at the beginning of the congregation in 1843.

Photo report: Sr. Hélène Harvey