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    

The pandemic has given rise to beautiful and inspiring initiatives, as evidenced by the “Memory Bird” project at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM). “It is a creative way to pay tribute to our Sisters who have died,” explains Sister Hélène Harvey.

Thus, to compensate for the absence of gatherings at funerals during the pandemic, another element has been added to the short memorial celebration already organized on each floor, within 48 hours of the death of a Sister.

After a brief moment of quiet prayer, a bird made out of silk fabrics from scarves or neckties, and identified by a label with the Sister’s name on it, is hung on a form made out of birch branches. As noted by Hélène, “This gives the impression of a bird flying away.”

A stimulating project

“The effect is magical for the Sisters. They feel that this ceremony, with its symbolism, helps to fill the void left by the death of their Sister and by the postponement of a real funeral during the pandemic,” adds Sr. Hélène.

This creative idea originated in Hélène’s family. Her sister-in-law, Sylvie Tremblay, accustomed to making items from silk neckties, developed the idea. The project quickly took off. It combines the practical with the artistic by reusing fabrics to give them a second life and a new look!

Thus, for the past few months, we have seen these memory birds appear in a few strategic places around Maison Jésus-Marie. While you are unable to see them in person at present, we invite you to view a short video paying tribute to all the SNJM Sisters who passed away in 2021.

Photo credit : Sr. Hélène Harvey

Many stimulating meetings were held during the fall of 2021. Among these was the meeting of volunteers (coopérantes) with the members of the SNJM Quebec Provincial Leadership Team, who were happy to respond to the invitation extended to them by the volunteers.

This first meeting between the two groups allowed them to get to know each other better and to become more aware of their various activities and challenges.

After having presented their functioning since their beginnings in 2006 and having noted their four common values: environment, interdependence, justice and solidarity with women, the group of ten volunteers had the opportunity to learn more about the recent General Chapter.

As Ms. Micheline Jobin emphasized, “This allowed us to understand the direction that the community is taking, thus helping us to stay connected with the community… and to put our focus, too, on responding to the Call of Our Lives, in the spirit of Mother Marie-Rose.”

The volunteers experienced this meeting, held at the Congregational House, as a moment of sheer delight that enabled them to put their lives on hold as they met “in an inspirational setting, with religious who perpetuate the work of Mother Marie-Rose.”

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were felt again in 2021, limiting celebrations at the funerals of loved ones.

This video vignette is a way to pay tribute to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) from the provinces of Lesotho, Manitoba, Quebec and U.S.-Ontario who passed away in the year 2021.

In its recent December newsletter, the NGO UNANIMA International presents some elements that nourish hope in regard to making a difference in the lives of people in need.

In addition to the Director General’s reflections, we take a look at activities relative to the UN. In reference to the 26^th annual UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP26) held in Glascow, Scotland, it is noted that there are  enormous challenges ahead. Although the situation seems hopeless, the organization highlights some positive developments, especially adding fossil fuels into the Glasgow Climate Pact. 

There are also updates regarding several committees, including the Social Development and Migration Committee. We also highlight UNANIMA’s recent membership in the Working Group on Girls. This group has produced a climate change toolkit and has been working in partnership with UN Women (The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) on coordinating conversation circles with girls on the topic of climate change.

We also learn that the resolution on homelessness in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic was approved by the 3rd Committee of the UN General Assembly.

Several other news items related to the various activities and follow-ups of the NGO are presented in this newsletter along with a list of interesting resources placed at the end of the newsletter. To learn more, consult this publication which is available in English, Español, French and Portuguese.