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.

Phase 2 of the Action Committee Against Internal and International Human Trafficking (CATHII) campaign has collected approximately 100 new supporters. Of these, 25% are Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and some of their staff members. This was enough to reach the goal of over 1000 signatures in support of the call for a Provincial action plan to cover all forms of human trafficking.

This second block of signatures was emailed, on December 15, to all Provincial Members of Parliament making them aware of the situation. Hard copies were mailed to the offices of Premier François Legault and Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbeault.

In addition to having reached the goal of 1000 signatures, CATHII is pleased with the initial steps toward collaborating with the Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI) | (Quebec Association of International Cooperation Organizations).

This Association brings together some sixty organizations that are within  several regions of Quebec. It has initiated an attractive visual campaign, on social media, to promote the fight against human trafficking.

This new collaboration allows us to reach more people and could lead to many more successful actions in the future.

The Provincial Leadership Team of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) of Quebec made another concrete gesture in support of Aboriginal people. This Christmas, they donated the money, usually given to the Sisters as gifts, to the Native Friendship Centre of Montreal Inc. (NFCM).

For over 40 years, this non-profit, autonomous, community development organization has been the only comprehensive service and referral point in the Greater Montreal Metropolitan Area in relation to  health, social services, legal services, guidance/information, education, training and career counselling.

Its main mission is to promote, develop and improve the quality of life in the urban Aboriginal community of Montreal. The NFCM is also part of a national initiative to bridge the gap between two cultures. It serves the Aboriginal population which consists of the ten First Nations of Quebec; as well as the Inuit and Métis of Montreal.

For several years, the SNJMs of Quebec have demonstrated their solidarity with Aboriginal peoples. This year, they signed the petition to pressure the Senate to adopt Bill C-15 concerning the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Through the work of its Justice and Peace Committee, they continue to further educate themselves regarding the culture of indigenous peoples. Preparations are underway with the SNJM Sisters in Manitoba to hold a virtual meeting with a resource person in January 2022.

At the beginning of December, before the return of new health regulations, two concerts were presented in the chapel of Maison Jésus-Marie, to the great pleasure of the residents.

The Chœur de l’Arthémuse presented an enchanting program of Christmas carols. This vocal ensemble, created in 1993 at Collège Durocher Saint-Lambert, is comprised of 50 choristers (mixed voices). Under the direction of Ms. Giseline Pelletier, and accompanied by a few musicians, the chorale, mainly adults (teachers and friends), demonstrated their ability and talent.

Due to the large choir, a limited number of spaces were reserved for the audience The resident Sisters watched the concert on closed circuit TV.

A Successful Organ-Piano Duo

Maryse Moisan SNJM reunited with Monique Poirier, her former student, at this concert presented at Maison Jésus-Marie. It had been 40 years since they had last seen each other.

“She was also in the Collège Durocher orchestra and played the cello,” fondly recalls Sr. Maryse, who was thrilled to once again meet this talented musician. “She had presented one of her own compositions, Fantaisie en trois mouvements. (Fantasy in three movements). I remember it being very lively.“

The program, presented by Monique Poirier and Yves Garand, was filled with traditional Christmas pieces. This was one of the rare times that the Sisters attended an organ and piano concert.  The two musicians now and again played together at the organ and also alternated playing solo at the piano and the organ.

The pleasure of the two musicians playing together was greatly felt by the audience who was captivated by the various tunes that were played with exceptional mastery.

These two concerts delighted everyone and provided wonderful memories on the eve of another special holiday season.

Photo credits: Sr Suzanne Brault

November 28, the Francophone SNJM Affiliates held their first meeting in person, in two years at the Congregation House.  Those who attended were thrilled to be with each other again.

Sr Denise Riel

Sister Denise Riel, Provincial Leader, explained the follow-up to the Acts of the 35th General Chapter. Informed about the challenges to be undertaken by the Congregation, the Affiliates (Associates and Consecrated Lay Persons) enthusiastically expressed the desire to commit themselves, according to the capabilities of each one, to doing their part in the realization of the action plan.

In addition to sharing news with each other and hearing about those who were not present, they had the opportunity to listen to Mrs. Anne-Marie Montpetit share her experience as representative of the French-speaking Affiliates at the General Chapter, which had taken place in July.

Various other topics and projects were also discussed. One of the highlights will take place on May 1, 2022 when the two newest SNJM Associates will renew their commitments for a two-year period.

Renewal of Commitments

December 8, the Anglophone SNJM Affiliates delightfully met online, using the ZOOM platform. This meeting was also very interesting, as information was presented pertaining to the theme of the Province. During this get-together, time was built in for a period of personal reflection on a few questions, followed by sharing in break-out rooms. Each group then reported back to the larger group. Then, during a prayerful ritual, the Associates renewed their commitments.

Let us recall that there are several forms of commitment in collaboration with the mission of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM). There are currently about 40 Francophone Affiliates and 25 Anglophone Affiliates.

There is no shortage of action at the Action Committee Against Internal and International Human Trafficking (CATHII). The most recent newsletter, available in French and English, reports on several actions taken. Among other things, we learn that a letter has been sent to provincial elected officials to remind them of the importance of the fight against human trafficking and that a participatory research, on the empowerment and reintegration of victims of human trafficking, is underway.

In addition, the organization, created in 2004 by several women Religious Congregations, presented its annual report in mid-November (in French only). It contains more detailed information on participatory research. It recalls the initiative of the CATHII-University project at the UN, highlights the work in collaboration with several organizations, including Talitha Kum, and gives news of the Quebec Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Despite the COVID pandemic, several actions have been taken to continue the fight against human trafficking.

The enthusiastic participation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and the staff at Maison Jésus-Marie, the Provincial Administration (Quebec) and the General Administration had a major impact on the success of Operation Shoebox in the Montérégie area of Quebec. The combined efforts of the entire SNJM group resulted in the collection of some 91 shoeboxes.

This contribution represents approximately 12% of the total number of boxes collected this year in the Montérégie. This is quite remarkable considering that the SNJM group participation began ten days after the campaign had begun.  It was the first time they had taken part.

As soon as Ms. Roxane Gagné, regional manager for the Montérégie, presented the project, a high energy was palpable as evidenced by the enthusiastic desire to participate.

Judging by the comments heard here and there, there was a great desire to bring a little joy and happiness to itinerant and homeless women in these areas. This is what quickly fuelled this surge of solidarity. Many people also took advantage of the campaign to learn more about this multifaceted reality.

Homelessness remains a difficult topic to talk about, often causing uneasiness and discomfort during casual encounters with itinerants and homeless people. Yet, simply looking them in the eye and saying “Hello” is comforting to them,” noted Ms. Gagné during her presentation.

A goal well exceeded

Operation Shoebox is a ten-year-old initiative. Created by the Mulroney sisters-in-law in Toronto, the campaign quickly spread throughout Ontario before crossing the border to Montreal and the Montérégie region. The idea is to gather various essential items and gift objects worth up to $50 and to put them into a decorated shoebox.

The 2021 objective in the Montérégie was 615 boxes. This was an ambitious goal since the previous two years, 400 boxes had been collected. The addition of partners, such as the Centre diocésain Saint-Jean-Longueuil, through which the SNJMs had been made aware, contributed greatly to the success of Operation 2021.   Over a hundred shoeboxes were collected. Many families and parishes became more sensitized to the plight of homeless women and thus to the goal of this mission.  Other people contributed directly to the main center.

According to the most recent unofficial data, Operation Shoebox in the Montérégie collected 726 boxes which were delivered to 26 shelters offering services to homeless women in the Montérégie region, from Valleyfield, Akwesasne, Kahnawake, Granby, Cowansville, to Saint-Hyacinthe, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Sorel-Tracy and Longueuil.

Photo credit: Sr Suzanne Brault