The group of Francophone Associates of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) has been enriched by the arrival of two young women. Yasmine Matar and Geneviève Noël made their first commitment as Associates during a virtual ceremony on May 22.

After being accompanied by Sr. Thérèse Laplante during their spiritual journey, for over two years, the two young aspirants experienced this moment with emotion and peace. Twenty-six Francophone and Anglophone Associates and Sisters were present during their first commitment ceremony.

A desire to share and to “grow”

When asked about her motivations for undertaking this spiritual journey, Yasmine expressed her desire to pray, discuss, reflect and contemplate. “Sharing with the group of Associates is precious to me. Taking time to clear my mind is a constant challenge.”

Beyond the moments of sharing and internalization (reflection), she stated, “I want to be an active and committed Affiliate of the SNJM family and to participate by means of concrete actions related to the corporate stands of the community. I want to offer a listening presence and an open-mindedness as I enter into communion with the Francophone and Anglophone Sisters and Affiliates.”

For her part, Genevieve speaks of a connection between herself and the SNJM spirit since her first contact with the Congregation, an energy that has continued to grow. “Joining these values, this charism, this action to something bigger than myself, gives me meaning, strength, energy and life. ”

She specifies her reason for becoming an SNJM Associate in these words, “I feel called by the group, by each one of you. Because you nourish me and quench my spiritual thirst, you help me grow. Alone, I do not possess all the necessary tools and some tools are not found in books and lectures, but rather in relationships with others.”

The SNJM Francophone Associate (or Associates’) ceremony also formalized the renewal of commitment of some 37 additional Affiliates for the next three years.

Visit this page to learn more about possible forms of affiliation with the SNJM mission.

Caption – top photo: Yasmine Matar and Geneviève Noël

The management of Collège Durocher-Saint-Lambert (CDSL) continued an SNJM tradition by inserting a medal of Mother Marie-Rose into the freshly-poured first layer of concrete for the foundation of the Lieu des Possibles. (Place of Possibilities)

According to history, along with devotion to the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), this medal is known to offer protection from fires. Similar medals are found in the foundations of the College’s other buildings.

The ceremony took place on May 19, 2021, at the Lieu des Possibles construction site in Saint Lambert. Invited by Francis Roy, Director of Collège Durocher-Saint-Lambert, Sr. Denise Riel, Provincial Animator, inserted the medal into the concrete. She was accompanied by Sr. Lisette Boulé, Provincial Councillor.

The event took place in the presence of several other people, including Ms. Kathleen Caissy, Chairman of the Board; Mr. Jacques Gravel, Director of Technical Services; Ms. Dominique Genest, Director of Financial Services; and Ms. Josée Amireault, Member of the Board. The Lieu des Possibles is being set up in a new CDSL pavilion. It is intended to be a space which fosters creativity, is open to sharing with the broader community, and offers learning opportunities adapted to the needs of young people today and in the future.

Find out more … Link to page and video – in French only.

Source photo: Collège Durocher-Saint-Lambert

In a recent letter sent to the management of Development and Peace, with copies also sent to the Bishops of Canada (CCCB) and the Canadian Religious Conference (CRC), the signatories expressed their disagreement with the way the organization chose to eliminate 24 Southern partners from its list of organizations to be supported.

Pointing out a lack of transparency and a “preoccupation with sexual morality rather than a focus on the poor and the common good,” the four signatories of the letter refer to Scripture to support their point of view. “… Nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus abandon, disgraced or desperate women. Jesus hears their cries…”

Expressing their indignation, they conclude their letter by posing the following question so relevant to the current context: “Is it too late to look at these situations with a compassionate heart and through the lens of the Gospel?”

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) have long supported the non-governmental organization (NGO) Development and Peace. The recent controversy has upset them, as well as other religious organizations who have likewise denounced the actions of Development and Peace.

Recently, two exciting news items were announced by Saint-Nom-de-Marie Boarding School (PSNM). The first concerns a successful initiative to improve the emergency area at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre. The second refers to their reception of a Level 2 ÉCORESPONSABLE Certification^MC, a first in the French education sector in Quebec.

An inspiring and comforting project

As evidenced by the TVA report and the article on the PSNM website, the initial idea of a young patient Rose-Marie, who is a student at the school, had a positive effect. Rose-Marie shared her thoughts with the hospital’s administration after an experience in a cold, all-white resuscitation room filled with medical instruments.

Her idea of making the hospital environment more welcoming, gradually took shape and was eventually presented to Caroline Delcourt, the plastic arts teacher. The students enthusiastically committed themselves to the project of designing and creating 75 frescoes. This project, begun in 2019, has certainly succeeded in counterbalancing the pandemic.

At last, two weeks ago, these frescoes, installed in the rooms and the emergency corridor of Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, gave rise to many positive reactions from young patients. This project is a beautiful demonstration of the contribution of the arts to daily life. It also confirms the intuition of the pioneers of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) who developed a curriculum in which the teaching of the arts was important in order to promote the full development of students.

 

 

A firm commitment to sustainable development

Level 2 ECORESPONSABLE^MC Certification – On Earth Day, ÉCOCERT Canada issued and broadcast the awarding of this certificate to Saint-Nom-de-Marie Boarding School, Vincent D’Indy School of Music and Beaubois College. Mr. Benoit Charrette, Quebec’s Minister for the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change highlighted this “first” in Quebec’s education sector.

As the Minister congratulated everyone, he expressed the hope that the approach developed by these three institutions would encourage others in the school system to follow suit. This achievement is the result of the long-term work of the students, faculty and administration of these schools.

In the case of the PSNM, this certification is not an end in itself. Rather, as was pointed out, it is another step in the continuing “process of collective improvement.”

Caption for the photo at the top of the page:  Canvas – created by a student – Photo credit:  PSNM

The embedded links are directed to sources in French only

Eulalie Durocher, known by her religious name Mother Marie-Rose and later Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, is one of 50 remarkable women honored by the Quebec Toponymy Commission. This initial list of 50 women, depicted on an interactive map, features more than 500 official place names paying tribute to them.

The Commission used the following criteria to portray diverse representatives of Quebec society:

1. Pioneers or leading figures in various fields of activity.
2. Historical or popular figures who have left their mark on the collective imagination.
3. A representation of Quebec society as a whole.
4. A desire for women from all eras to be represented.
5. Women born or adopted in Quebec.

This interactive map, launched on International Women’s Rights Day on 8 March, will be enhanced over time to highlight the contribution of as many women as possible. The Commission recalled that there are currently nearly 4,500 official place names associated with a woman.

The interactive map lists ten places designated with the name Eulalie Durocher. We invite you to read the places and names of organizations on the table below.

Please share your knowledge of any other places or organizations named after the founder of the SNJM’s.

Ville	Lieu, place, organismes
Beauharnois	Maison des enfants Marie-Rose
Beloeil	Parc Eulalie-Durocher
	Skate Park Eulalie-Durocher
	Place Eulalie-Durocher
Longueuil	Rue Durocher
	Rue Marie-Rose
	Paroisse Bienheureuse-Marie-Rose-Durocher
	Maison Marie-Rose-Durocher
	Rue Durocher
	Rue Marie-Rose
	Halte Marie-Rose
	Marie-Rose Chapelle (Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Co-Cathedral)
Montréal	École secondaire Eulalie-Durocher
	Rue Marie-Rose (près de Lacordaire)
	Eulalie-Durocher Mausoleum- Côte-des-Neiges Cemetery
Repentigny	Rue Eulalie-Durocher
Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu	Belvédère Eulalie-Durocher
	Rue Marie-Rose
	Maison de la culture Eulalie-Durocher
Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville	Rue Eulalie-Durocher
Saint-Lambert	Avenue Durocher
	Collège Durocher-Saint-Lambert
Terrebonne	Rue de la Sœur-Marie-Rose

 

The confinement imposed by the pandemic has had at least one positive effect. Several Sisters at Maison Jesus-Marie (MJM) have turned to technology by learning to use a Tablet.

Sr. Suzanne Brault helped to select the tablets to be bought, set them up and trained the Sisters in their basic use. She comes to the rescue when  help is needed.

Sr. Suzanne, who is affectionately nicknamed the “Nun” by her nephew, appreciates sharing her technological skills which counter balance her work as an interpreter. Enjoying discovering new links, she initiated community prayer online. This weekly gathering on “Messenger” brings together a few dozen Sisters, including several new Tablet enthusiasts.

“I have received a lot in my life and I’m happy to give back to others by helping ‘tame’ the world of Tablets,” says Sr. Suzanne, enthusiastically. During her years in Santa Cruz, California, from 2007-2013, she familiarized herself with technology. Since then, she has continued to learn more about Smartphones and Tablets.

Without considering herself a specialist, she gladly shares her knowledge and discoveries with others. In preparation for the upcoming General Chapter of the Congregation, Sr. Suzanne has made it her mission to introduce her companions to the digital platform Zoom.

Her 30-year experience as a music teacher is serving her well in this world of technology.

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) are still as committed as ever to stopping human trafficking. Sr. Joanne Pundyk (Brazil) and Sr. Ana Maria Vilca Mamani (Peru) confirmed this with the testimonies they presented during the virtual meeting of the SNJM Justice and Peace Committee of Quebec this past February 1^st.     

These two Sisters are active in their national networks working to combat human trafficking and sexual abuse. This phenomenon, also known as “modern slavery”, mainly affects women and girls who are moved around from area to area or even into other countries.

While Brazil made significant progress until 2015 with the implementation of three anti-trafficking action plans, nothing has changed since the election of the current government. Widespread corruption allows sensitive information to flow to traffickers who then constantly get away with trafficking. “There are very few cases of trafficking that reach the courts,” says Sr. Joanne Pundyk, who emphasizes above all the close cooperation between the federal police and international authorities.

Educate and Prevent

Sr. Joanne, one of the seven founding members of the national “A Cry for Life” network created in 2007, points out that Brazil is a “sending country as well as a country of transit”. Although official statistics are not kept on this subject, it is estimated that at least 10,000 women and girls are trafficked in Brazil every year. The majority of the victims come from the north and northeast of the country, where poverty and tourism exist. As well, other women and girls are brought in, mainly from Bolivia and Peru.

The national network set up by the Brazilian Conference of Women Religious is comprised of both Sisters and lay people. It is composed of 24 active core groups in 26 states of the country. The efforts of all members of the Network are focused on education and prevention in order to eliminate the problem of trafficking at its source.

In addition to monthly and annual meetings to share knowledge and experiences, the members receive ongoing formation regarding this subject in order to help them in the preparation of educational and awareness materials. Distribution is carried out among teachers, health professionals, public sector employees, parishes and other civil society organizations. More targeted actions are carried out with taxi drivers and hotel staff. “The response from taxi drivers is good. Some even thank us for opening their eyes to this problem of which they were unaware,” says Sr Joanne.

Awareness is also increasing through social media, especially in this time of pandemic when direct action on the ground is more difficult. Sharing between network members is now being done virtually. “We always end our meetings with a moment of prayer and song to give us the strength and courage to continue our hard work,” says Sr. Joanne, who, along with another person, founded the core group in Macei, a city located in one of the most popular tourist regions.  During five years, she assumed responsibility as coordinator of this group with which she is still actively involved.

Similar Situation in Peru

Peru and Brazil share the same cultural attitude towards women who are perceived as objects that can be sold and bought. “People think women have asked for it when we raise the issue of trafficking,” admits Sr. Ana Maria Vilca Mamani, president of the Red Kawsay National Network against Trafficking in Persons. This network, founded in 2015, works closely with similar networks in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The Peruvian Network is supported by 33 religious Congregations with the participation of 44 active Sisters. Red Kawsay  works on four fronts: representation | awareness and prevention | reception of trafficked persons | advocacy and collaborative work.

The findings are equally worrisome in Peru, where there is an upsurge in cases with a tendency to recruit younger and younger women and girls. The meager statistics available reveal that 81% of victims of trafficking in Peru are women and that 40% of  victims are between the ages of 12 and 17.

Few Convictions

60% of victims of trafficking are caught in the vicious circle of prostitution, while 35% are caught in forced labor. Various other situations account for the last 5%. Unsurprisingly, we discover that there is a concentration of cases in Lima, the capital of the country, a city with a population of 12 million people. The jungle, with the increased presence of mine workers, is another major hub.

Sr. Ana Maria gladly reports that “between June 2020 and February 2021, there were 31 operations which succeeded in freeing 437 trafficked people.” Despite this success, the fight is difficult. Peruvian laws require concrete evidence at every step in the judicial process. Added to this is corruption, which, as in Brazil, allows traffickers to obtain inside information. It is therefore extremely difficult to convict the leaders of human trafficking.

The situation is not any easier when it comes to helping victims of trafficking escape from the grip of traffickers. Both Sisters Joanne and Ana Maria affirm that “victims remain traumatized for life.” Ana Maria deplores the lack of state support for resources to enable victims to learn again how to live a normal life. Minimum budgets mainly ensure the presence of six host communities with very few services.

At the same time, victims can also count on a few additional houses run by Religious Congregations. These congregations pay the majority of the expenses with minimal support from the local government or the ministry.

Responding to Needs

As in Brazil, the Red Kawsay Network focuses its energy on prevention and education in order to counter the “seductive” messages of traffickers. The task of reaching the most vulnerable people, including the case of refugee women from Venezuela (one million refugees) who find themselves increasingly in the line of fire of traffickers, is becoming more complex.

Network members distribute awareness materials wherever possible, including directly to homes.  In an effort to better respond to the differing realities, people from Red Kawsay have visited several places around the mines in the jungle in order to find the best ways to help these people.

As coordinator of the Red Kawsay Network, Sr. Ana Maria participates in the meetings of her local, national and international group.

In short, 18 years after the adoption of their corporate stand against human trafficking (2004), there are SNJMs who continue the fight with others around the world, including those in Quebec (with CATHII which was created 16 years ago) and in the United States.

In preparing for Good Friday, the Talitha Kum Networks of the Western Hemisphere launched a special project, Stations of the Cross 2021: An Economy without Human Trafficking.

As the only representative of Canada and of the French language within this group of 15 networks, the Action Committee against Internal and International Human Trafficking (CATHII) participated in this initiative by taking responsibility for planning one of the stations. On behalf of this organization, Sr. Lise Gagnon, SNJM, and Ms. Renaude Grégoire prepared the reflection text for the 14^th station,  “Jesus is placed in the tomb”.

The reflection texts for all the stations are available in the four languages generally used in the Talitha Kum Networks of the Western Hemisphere: French, English, Portuguese and Español.

This Way of the Cross is the second major activity sponsored by the network of Talitha Kum networks since the beginning of the year. It brings together 44 networks against human trafficking throughout the world. The project is a follow-up to the 24-hour prayer marathon that was orchestrated by the organization in Rome and held worldwide on February 8, 2021.

The Talitha Kum Networks of the Western Hemisphere encompass Canada, the United States, Brazil and 12 other countries in Latin America, all working together against human trafficking. The 15 networks meet virtually every month in order to share experiences and create resources.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) were very involved in this project by translating the texts of the Stations of the Cross into French, as well as by working with CATHII on the French text for the 14^th  station and ensuring its translation into English. Thank you to SNJM Sisters Simone Perras, Jacqueline Aubry, and Beverley Wattling, and to Josée Desrosiers, an SNJM coopérante, for their remarkable work!

Eight Quebec university students, who enrolled in the CATHII at the UN project, will participate in the virtual sessions of the 65^th conference of the UN Commission on the Status of Women this coming March. They will thus be able to experience major forums for discussion on a variety of topics, especially those related to justice and human trafficking.

This initiative of the Action Committee against Internal and International Human Trafficking (CATHII) was proposed by the Subcommittee on Succession Planning which had been created in February 2019. This subcommittee transformed itself into a project, CATHII at the UN, in August 2019. Its original objectives included a training program for students in preparation for participation in UN sessions. This program aims at raising awareness of the issues and the systemic effects of trafficking on children, women and people in precarious work situations. It counts on CATHII, recognized as a reference resource in Canada, to transmit the knowledge it has acquired on the subject of human trafficking.

As Élodie Ekobena, co-coordinator of the CATHII at the UN project, pointed out during her presentation at the last meeting of the Quebec SNJM Justice and Peace Committee, interest in the pilot project, which hoped to attract 2 or 3 students in these times of pandemic, quickly grew. No fewer than eight students from all three university levels (Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate) and from four Quebec universities applied.

These hopeful participants submitted their CVs along with letters describing their deep motivation. The motivations were “impressive and very touching,” according to Sr. Lise Gagnon, SNJM, co-coordinator of the project. Since then, the young people have participated in several meetings in order to prepare for their experience in March. These young members of CATHII at the UN realized that they also needed to hear about the experiences and knowledge of other youth, some of whom had already experienced Model UN sessions.

Preparing for succession differently

These students, who come from culturally diverse backgrounds, work in medicine, social work and international journalism. They are interested in learning more about human trafficking issues and are even considering setting up further more specific projects. This is certainly the case for the medical students who want to develop a program to detect the presence of victims of human trafficking in emergency rooms.

The preparatory meetings with the students will end on February 25. They are being led by Élodie Ekobena, a member of CATHII and a representative of the only male congregation (Jesuits) in the CATHII organization, which was created in 2004 by a group of female religious congregations. Ms. Renaude Grégoire, a self-employed worker who has participated in some thirty sessions at the UN, also contributes to these meetings by sharing her experiences. The committee also counts on contributions from Ms. Jill Hanley, professor at McGill University, Ms. Jennie-Laure Sully, worker at CLES (Concerted Action against Sexual Exploitation) and Ms. France Laforge, coordinator of CATHII.

CATHII’s desire to prepare for its continuation, or at least to promote the transmission of its expertise in order to continue the work of providing information on trafficking, is well underway. The interest of these eight students and the request of certain universities for involvement in a similar project in 2022 seem to confirm this.

Another effect of CATHII’s approach to planning its succession is without doubt a growing awareness of the work carried out for so many years by religious congregations involved within various networks, including Talitha Kum, collaborating in action against human trafficking.

Despite everything, numerous challenges still remain, as Élodie Ekobena expressed very well at the end of her presentation available on the video below (French only).

Sr. Lise Gagnon, SNJM, will represent CATHII (Action Committee against Internal and International Human Trafficking) at the prayer marathon organized by Talitha Kum as part of the International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking on February 8. The 7-hour marathon, conducted in 5 languages, will consist of time for prayer and for presentations by witnesses concerning various efforts against trafficking throughout the world.

Sr. Lise Gagnon’s 3-to-5-minute contribution will close this marathon at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. She will give a short presentation on “An economy without human trafficking” as well as on the current challenges that must be met in order to combat this scourge. She will conclude with a final prayer to Saint Josephine Bakhita, with the aid of a Power Point. This prayer is inspired in part by texts from the Trafficking Committee of the SNJM Justice and Peace Network and from Sr. Ann Oestreich, IHM, of Talitha Kum.

CATHII’s participation in this event is another mark of recognition for the work done by CATHII, an organization founded in 2004 by congregations of women religious in Quebec. This non-profit organization has participated in several international events in the past. Sr. Claudette Bastien, SNJM, represented CATHII when she participated in an international meeting of Talitha Kum in Rome in 2017.

CATHII is also at the origin of the creation of the Coalition québécoise contre la traite des personnes (Quebec Coalition against Human Trafficking), an organization whose mission is to “build a network of organizations working with people who are victims or at risk in order to prevent trafficking, to protect victims and to ensure that they receive adequate services and support.” The goal is to facilitate the coordination of the many actors in order to offer improved services of protection and of support to victims of trafficking.

The prayer marathon begins at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time (10:00 a.m. Central European Time) and ends at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time (5:00 p.m. European Time). Everyone is invited to participate in this marathon, which will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel,