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”.

(Source: Talitha Kum Networks of the Western Hemisphere | Stations of the Cross 2021)

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.

Lise Gagnon, snjm

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,

Vaccinations against COVID-19 are in full swing in the Montérégie region of Quebec. According to statistical data, that region ranks second (after Montreal) in 19,537 people having been inoculated as of January 14.

The Sisters at Maison Jesus-Marie (MJM) were vaccinated last Wednesday. It should be noted that the Department of Health and Human Services recognizes Religious Congregation infirmaries as private CHLSDs. Maison Jesus-Marie has thus been placed on the priority list for vaccinations.

The residence of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) whose average age is 89,was fortunately spared from the coronavirus outbreaks. Although the Sisters were relieved welcomed the operation with relief, there is no question of ignoring the health guidelines in force.

At the same time, MJM staff were invited, as were those of the region’s private CHSLD’s and the health and social services network in general, to be vaccinated. In December, The Regional Health Board established two centres in Saint-Hyacinthe and Brossard. Last week, it opened two new sites in Longueuil and Candiac.

These sites will eventually welcome the population when the vaccination program is at this stage. Meanwhile, Christian Dubé, Minister for Health and Social Services said the vaccination program would be extended to another priority population group, starting January 25.

Photo credit: Amélie Rivard

The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken everyone’s life. It has also imposed new rules that prevent, or at least limit, celebrations surrounding the death of loved ones.

This video vignette is a way to pay tribute to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) who passed away in the year 2020.

Despite the strict confinement due to COVID-19, the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) of Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) remain connected to the outside world and eager to continue supporting various worthy causes.

After offering, to several charitable organizations, many handmade articles (tuques, mittens, scarves…) fashioned by a group of knitters, the MJM Sisters contributed funds from their personal budgets to support the cause of two local organizations. Their donations, combined with an amount from the MJM coordination budget, provided $1875 to each of these organizations.

This year, L’Entraide chez nous and La Croisée de Longueuil benefited from this financial aid.

L’Entraide chez nous, established in 1971, offers front-line services including various emergency services, help for the elderly and a clothing counter. The organization contributes to the development of the social skills and the personal growth of its clients.

La Croisée de Longueuil focuses on the autonomy of people in the community by promoting socialization and integration activities, while helping people develop a sense of belonging. Among the projects it has put forward is a project in agroecology.

Support for the youth of Saint-Nom-de-Jesus School

The SNJM’s sensitivity to the needs of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district dates back to their arrival at Hochelaga Convent in 1860. Since then, in addition to their presence in almost all the educational institutions  in the borough, the Sisters have initiated or collaborated in projects set up to help families and have been actively involved with groups advocating for social justice causes.

With the goal of raising $25,000, a quarter of the estimated cost for renovating the courtyard of Saint-Nom-de-Jésus School, the students organized a fundraiser, a sale of fir trees. The administration of Maison Jesus-Marie (MJM) purchased four of these trees last December.

The children in the daycare service at this school designed several decorations and paper chains to add their particular touch to the Christmas decorations at MJM. As for the Sisters, they were invited to write messages of hope inscribed on golden cardboard balls to adorn the fir trees inside the building.

The Head of Activities and Community Services took the opportunity to design an information poster recalling some of the historical facts, thus highlighting the strong bonds forged between the SNJM Sisters and the people of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district.

It was pointed out that the presence of SNJM Sisters at  Saint-Nom-de-Jesus School dates back to October 19, 1907, when 14  Sisters  were  mandated to teach at the school which, at the time, had 700 elementary school girls registered. Then in 1922,  the school added high school education. Until 1921, the school also had classes for English-speaking students.

Photo credit: Josée Narbonne

Alexandre Da Costa, the conductor of the Longueuil Symphony Orchestra (OSDL), while respecting all the health guidelines, delivered a hundred CDs to Maison Jesus-Marie, in Longueuil, a week before Christmas.

A former student of Vincent d’Indy School of Music founded by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), Alexandre Da Costa, an internationally renowned violinist, became artistic director and conductor of the OSDL in 2019. Since then, without abandoning his career as a violinist, he has been committed to making classical music accessible to all, while at the same time making the orchestra known and appreciated internationally.   

He is the only conductor who travelled during the Quebec health crisis in order to meet people. He believes that “music is an essential need, an eminent good that has endured for centuries and a blessing that defines us as humans.” This vision of things is in direct line with the approach of Mother Marie-Rose and those who followed her.

The OSDL leader’s gesture was greatly appreciated by the Sisters at Maison Jesus-Marie, who have been confined since last March.  It touched the hearts of all, especially the many musicians who had taught at Vincent d’Indy School of Music and other private and public schools where the Congregation worked.

Conductor Da Costa and a few OSDL musicians had given an outdoor concert at MJM last summer. This concert was part of a series of concerts that brought a measure of joy and beauty to the elderly of several South Shore residences during their time of confinement.

The CDs received were distributed amongst the Sisters and the MJM staff by means of a raffle. It was a great way to thank everyone for their commitment since the beginning of the pandemic and to highlight the concern and care offered by the dedicated staff.

The members of the SNJM Justice and Peace Committee of Quebec were invited to adopt an open letter signed by the members of the Quebec Coordination of the World March of Women  (MMF), to sign it and send it to the relevant authorities. 

This letter (in French only) has also been shared throughout the many networks of “solidarity and justice” in order to raise awareness among the greatest number of people and to encourage them to adopt the letter, sign and send it. This invitation was also circulated within the Association of Sisters for Women’s Rights (ARDF).

This approach is as much a part of the follow-up to give concrete expression to the theme of the MMF’s  “Walk to Transform” as in the activities of the 12 days of action against violence toward women. This campaign runs annually from November 25 to December 6.

The 2020 Jubilarians of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) were treated to a beautiful celebration on December 3^rd and 4^th. After postponing the scheduled celebrations last spring, the Jubilee Committee chose to honor the Sisters according to the “bubbles” in which they live. Celebrations were held on December 3^rd at Maison Jesus-Marie, and the following day, at the Congregation House.

While following social distancing guidelines, the two celebrations were animated in a spirit of joy and of thanksgiving for the jubilarians’ “constant fidelity to their life as consecrated persons.” During the celebration, the jubilarians heard a creative first reading adapted from 1 Cor.1:1-9.

This text is a letter from the Quebec community which is reproduced below. It shows appreciation and admiration for the unwavering commitment of these 25 Sisters celebrating 80, 75, 70 and 60 years of religious profession.

• 80 years – Sister Olivette Blais
•  75 years – Sisters Rollande Lavoie and Rita Marcoux

• 70 years – Sisters Rita Brière, Magella Cadorette, Colombe DeGrandpré, Pierrette Dubuc, Yolande Henri, Françoise Laberge, Jeannine Lamarche (R.I.P), Suzanne Morin, Jeannine Pronovost, Éliana Vallée and Marielle Beaudoin.
• 60 years – Sisters Françoise Angers, Yolande Charron, Suzanne Leclaire, Monique L’Écuyer, Angéline Parenteau, Laurentia St-André, Florence Verner, Jeanne Dagenais, Élisabeth Giroux, Thérèse Laplante and Jocelyne Latreille.

In 2020, the 25^th anniversary of associate commitment of Madame Louise Cailhier-Quenneville was also highlighted.

In closing, we thank the Jubilee Committee (Sisters Lisette Boulé, Lise Gendron, Madeleine Marchand and Simone Perras) who planned these celebrations.

Photo credits: Sisters Suzanne Brault and Claudette Bastien

Note: The celebration booklet is available on the intranet, under Prayers/Rituals.