The fight against racism is the focus of a feature in the “Rencontre” magazine, published by the Centre culturel chrétien de Montréal in conjunction with Black History Month in February. It also mentions solidarity with the Haitian population and introduces us to the Centre Afrika. This organization welcomes Africans living in Montreal in a spirit of intercultural solidarity.

In the December issue, we reflect on Christmas and the Epiphany, “where shepherds and magi symbolize humanity near and far.”  As in other issues, the Current Affairs section highlights aspects of hot topics (in French only).

This time, we talk about the causes and impacts of the American election. We also turn our attention to Burkina Faso, where the Islamist movement is disrupting the recognized religious harmony of this West African country.

The Art section features works by James Wilson Morrice and Léonel Jules. We also feature an interview with Caroline Mailhot, a doctoral student in religious studies, whereby she explains the role spirituality can play in the treatment of psychosis.

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) of Quebec support the Christian Cultural Centre of Montreal. This non-profit organization positions itself as “a place where various points of view and analyses converge on the major contemporary challenges arising from the encounter between faith and culture”. The organization publishes four issues of its magazine to “promote dialogue between faith and culture.”

In each issue, the SNJMs submit a message related to one or other of the themes covered. This time, they reaffirm their stance on racism and denounce hatred and violence (page 33).

Joséphine Bacon’s presentation at Maison Jésus-Marie (MJM) on October 26 gave full meaning to the expression “going out to meet”.  A theme at the heart of the approach taken by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) several years ago to open to diversity and the multiple realities experienced by people from all walks of life.

An Innu woman of letters, poet, translator, interpreter and Innu-aimun language teacher, Joséphine Bacon won over her audience with the sincerity and simplicity of her words. Recounting part of her history in residential schools, she dwelt on their positive impact on her life. Her talk, interspersed with references to her writings, revealed her nomadic heritage.

During the reading of some of her poems, an atmosphere of warmth and peace pervaded the room. “Everyone was hanging on to her every word,” said event organizer Héloïse Vincent-Ozell, a partner on the SNJM Québec Justice and Peace Committee. During her presentation, Ms. Bacon shared her relationship with spirituality and its expression in her life. She also spoke of her relationship with nature. Her words touched her audience.

Partner on the SNJM Québec Justice and Peace Committee, Héloïse Vincent-Ozell next to Sr Claudette Bastien, at the presentation.

The meeting concluded with a lengthy question-and-answer session, a perfect illustration of the openness of heart and mind of the Sisters and guests to the perspectives of the Aboriginal world presented by Joséphine Bacon. She embodies a generation capable of bearing witness with sensitivity and charisma, and fighting against the oblivion and disappearance of a culture and its traditions.

This meeting is part of the action program of the three partners of the SNJM Québec Justice and Peace Committee. The latter has two main components: training and awareness-raising for Sisters and members of their network, and involvement with organizations linked to the themes of the SNJM’s corporate stands. In Héloïse’s case, she works on the “migrants/aboriginals” theme.

Photos credit: Sr. Suzanne Brault

The UNANIMA International (UI) Board of Directors meeting held last September in New York enabled members to observe the progress made during the last eight years. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the future of the non-governmental organization (NGO) set up by Religious Congregations of women in 2000.

Representing the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) on the Board of Directors, Madame Hanane Hakkou appreciated the discernment process under the theme “Becoming a synodal organization”. The session was led by Sr. Patricia Murray, Director General of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG).

Members of the UNANIMA International Board of Directors. SNJM representative Hanane Hakkou can be seen in the third row, third from the right.

Like the other members of the Board of Directors, Ms. Hakkou is well aware of the major challenges facing the NGO, which must both consolidate its foundations and pursue a mission that has expanded in recent years. The members were able to see this for themselves with the presentation of the results of the last eight years by General Manager Jean Quinn, fdls.

An overview

In addition to providing inspiring details of the thinking process of the members of the Executive Committee, the latest issue of the UI Newsletter gives an overview of recent activities under the heading “News at the UN”. We see the extent of the NGO’s reach, with its participation in official meetings and side events. We also discover the scope of its interventions, notably those on the intersections between homelessness and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) work in a camp for internal refugees in northern Nigeria.

The publication also highlights a number of items related to the Pact for the Future and other events since the summer season. It concludes with the “Community Testimonials” section. This introduces us to a project set up by the Medical Missionaries of Mary (MMM) in northern Nigeria, working with women and children in camps for internally displaced persons.

Here is another information-packed newsletter on a range of global issues. It is available in English, Spanish and French.

Photo credit: UNANIMA International

There was no shortage of action over the past year for the Comité d’action contre la traite humaine interne et internationale (CATHII) (Action Committee against the internal and international trafficking of human beings), as the annual report shows. In her opening remarks, IsaBelle Couillard, sgm, underlines the presence of signs of hope.

Catherine-Laure Juste and Sister IsaBelle Couillard in front of an MP’s office. Photo credit: CATHII – Renaude Grégoire

In particular, she talked about the countless meetings and links with international organizations. The President also recalled the actions taken with government authorities to adopt and improve laws to better protect victims and survivors.

CATHII supports organizations working with migrant workers, for example, on the issue of open work permits. The Action Committee continues its advocacy work to obtain a provincial anti-trafficking plan from the Quebec government.

Training the younger generation

The annual report also highlights the success of the CATHII-University program at the UN. This program enables young academics from all disciplines to learn about the various facets of human trafficking, both here and around the world.

Among the players in this field, CATHII is noted for the addition of this “education” component since 2020. Some sixty academics from all walks of life have attended the training sessions, in addition to taking part, for a few days, in the activities of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN in New York.

The program will celebrate its fifth anniversary in 2025. Those in charge are planning a special event in the Spring to bring together all CATHII-University participants at the UN. In addition to festive elements, the event will feature a session focusing on intervention practices with victims of trafficking.

Alongside this inspiring Quebec initiative, the report also points to a similar approach by Talitha Kum with its “Ambassadors” program, which reaches all member countries of this international coalition. Among the “Ambassador” participants is Sofia-Elena Ranke-Farro, a partner on the SNJM Québec Justice and Peace Committee, who is also involved with CATHII.

20 years already!

In short, reading this annual report is a way of discovering all the facets of the actions undertaken by the organization, created by religious congregations working in Quebec in 2004.

At the same time, to better grasp how far we’ve come, the organization has published a special newsletter to mark its 20 years of existence (in French only). Activities are planned for 2025 to celebrate this anniversary. CATHII is a recognized conversation partner across the country, with all governmental and ecclesiastical bodies (Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops).

Photo credit: CATHII – Renaude Grégoire

Halte Marie-Rose has been bustling with life and action since the autumn of 2023. This parish project is aimed particularly at the population of Le Moyne and Greenfield Park.

The diversity of activities offered, creates many points of contact with different audiences: young people, lonely people, senior citizens, families and immigrants. This is exactly what Christiane Lafaille, the project initiator, envisioned when she launched the organization on October 6, 2018. “From the outset, we wanted to be a mission of welcome and openness, in order to listen to everyone, without discrimination of religion, sexual orientation or age.” The project is now a real crossroads where solidarity and sharing are experienced on a daily basis.

Recognition by local residents, organizations and institutions confirms the validity of Halte Marie-Rose, inspired by the life of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, the foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM).

Responding to community needs

What’s more, the partnerships we have forged feed into the life of the neighborhood and the organization itself. The Frigo du coin brings people in to stock up. The partnership with Les cuisiniers différents has enabled us to offer the “Petits lunchs Marie-Rose.” Neighborhood children pick up their lunches at lunchtime, or enjoy a snack during homework help. With this organization, we’ve added the “Vendredi réconfort” program, which offers soup, bread and dessert free of charge. This is a considerable contribution in the context of the current economic crisis, where families are often faced with food insecurity.

The partnership with the CLSC has given rise to a new activity, “La Ruche d’Art,” a therapeutic art concept where people learn about the arts through themes. Among other things, the CLSC’s support enables us to purchase the art materials needed to run this activity on Tuesdays.

A six-week workshop, known as the “B Attitude Challenge,” was so successful that it will once again be included in the program. Focused on caring and respectful behavior, participants develop socio-emotional skills through sharing, drawing and prayer reflection.

Regular activities include Thursday coffee time, Friday drawing sessions, Monday knitting sessions and informal get-togethers. So many opportunities to break isolation, share life’s ups and downs and even become a source of motivation to take another step towards greater autonomy, according to the experience of some people. In addition to this, there are occasional activities with the Lajeunesse School, such as International Children’s Day, Alpha Iota workshops, help for immigrants, troubleshooting and even a day camp during spring break.

Ongoing Challenges

On a weekly basis, more than 100 people frequent Halte Marie-Rose, not counting all the others who occasionally come for one or other of the services, or simply for a coffee and relaxation. For Ms. Lafaille, this is tangible proof that the organization is meeting the needs of the community. “We are living the concept of this ‘Church on the move,’ open and close to the people.

Despite its convincing successes, Halte Marie-Rose faces the challenge of ensuring its sustainability. ‘We don’t fit into any of the boxes on the forms,’ she says. ‘We don’t have access to recurring grants. This forces Ms. Lafaille to intensify her efforts to obtain one-time financial donations, and limits her ability to program an activity or to launch a new service.

Fortunately, the local community is showing great solidarity. Many responded enthusiastically to the recent appeal to collect food to help families hard hit by the economic situation. “We’re counting on volunteers who are driven by their faith and show an unconditional welcome, regardless of religion or status.” The links forged within the Halte Marie-Rose enrich the community life of the Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher parish.

In addition to a team of some 15 volunteers dedicated to the cause, we would like to mention the support of committee members France Aubrey, Helene McKay, Lise St-Jean, Daniel Pellerin, head of the diocese’s social solidarity service, and Madame Lafaille. Isabelle Huard, Elga Amani and Mebalit Uuispe, the fabrique’s support, should also be mentioned. All these people reflect the cultural and generational diversity of the area. They are driven by the mission of Halte Marie-Rose, a place for socialization, in tune with the needs of the community.

Source photo: Halte Marie-Rose

The presentation of three testimonials from people experiencing homelessness was at the heart of the awareness-raising evening organized as part of the 35th edition of Nuit des sans-abri at Philips Square—Émilie-Gamelin Park in Montreal, on October 18.

Following a solidarity march, this vigil brought together a large crowd of people who had come to meet some homeless people and to express their support.  

As in previous years, organizers set up the park with booths offering a variety of services: referrals for various resources, distribution of sanitary products, food (hot soup, hot dogs, etc.) and, of course, Father Emmett “Pops” John’s trailer. Games of skill with different objects gave youngsters a chance to demonstrate their skills.

Testimonials

In addition to the presence of many young people, Sr. Claudette Bastien, snjm, was touched by the testimonies of three people experiencing homelessness. “The three people told us how they ended up on the street as a result of multiple problems—from drugs to poverty, including rejection and conflict with family.”

The first to testify was from the Gaspé area of Quebec. He explained that he was looking for his missing brother. He remains on the street because he hopes to find him homeless in one or other of Montreal’s neighborhoods.

“The second told us that he wanted to be free to do what he wanted, which is not possible in shelters that impose rules to facilitate community life,” Sr. Claudette pointed out.

An English speaker was the last to testify. He switched from one language to another with a pronounced accent, sometimes difficult to understand. The audience, which applauded each witness warmly, redoubled its support for him, recognizing his efforts to describe his situation.

According to Sr. Claudette, the presentation of testimonials had the merit of illustrating the various realities of homelessness. “It immerses us in their daily lives, their suffering and their quest for well-being.” A regular at these annual gatherings, Sr. Claudette appreciated this new addition to the program.

Also present in Longueuil

Sr. Denise Riel and Sr. Lisette Boulé, the other two members of the Quebec Leadership Team (PLT), also took part in the rally and walk at St. Mark’s Park in Longueuil. According to the organizing committee, the 26th Longueuil edition saw its highest participation rate since its inception.

Equally revealing were the testimonies of young people who have stayed at the Auberge du cœur L’Antre-Temps, and of three clients supported by the Casa Bernard-Hubert organization. While the causes of homelessness are manifold, those present were made aware of the many challenges faced by the homeless in their quest for autonomy.

Among the many information and food stands was one from Collège Durocher-Saint-Lambert (CDSL). Hosted by some fifteen dynamic youngsters, passers-by were invited to design their own drawings and buttons.

“Thank you for being there”

Both in Longueuil and in Montreal, participants toured the site and met with workers and homeless people. One of them thanked Sr. Claudette for being there.

The October 18 vigil was preceded by a city-wide homelessness awareness week. In addition, this year’s spokesperson, Samian, a rapper and multi-talented individual, unveiled a unique song in the form of a letter to his father. Originally from Pikogan, a small Anishinabe community in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, he shared his personal story of homelessness.

After years of not seeing his father, he found him on a street corner in Montreal. Here’s the link to listen to the song (in French only).

Photos credit: Sr. Claudette Bastien