Open House at the Holy Names House of Peace was held on Friday, March 6, 2026, to celebrate International Women’s Day. It was well attended and served as a successful tribute honoring women.

Holy Names House of Peace, a not-for-profit organization founded in 2004 by Sr. Lesley Sacouman, is an intercultural, life affirming refuge for women in the heart of Winnipeg that welcomes all. This life affirming community provides a safe home for newcomer women in transition.

To learn more about the House of Peace (Holy Names House of Peace), follow this link: The House of Peace (House of Peace) – SNJM

Sisters at Despins enjoyed a visit from the St. Mary’s Academy administrators and the campus ministry team. Sisters were pleased to hear about the activities of the school during Mother Marie-Rose week: school mass, story time with grade 7 students, student quiz, search for roses throughout the school. Thank you for keeping the spirit of Blessed Marie-Rose alive!

Associates and Sisters celebrate the Feast of Mother Marie-Rose October 6, 2025: Mother Marie-Rose challenges us to “let our charity be a bright and burning light, pointing out the path of virtue to all who surround us.” She must have delighted in the ‘bright and burning light’ blazing as sisters and associates gathered on October 6th. We began with the welcome and land acknowledgement (Teresa Campbell) and reflected on our scripture readings (Armande Leclair, Kitty Kelly) and quotations from Mother Marie-Rose (Teresa Campbell, Georgette Dupuis). Sr. Edith called us to renew our vows and our commitments. With Mary Morton at the organ, we responded wholeheartedly with our ‘Magnificat.’ Our celebration continued in the dining room over coffee and a light lunch.

On Saturday, October 25th  six Holy Names Sisters and two Associates enjoyed an absolutely delightful evening, the first ever Future Hope (Next Step) fundraising dinner. The event took place at St. Mary’s Academy, which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Next Step Coordinator Kim warmly welcomed us.

Guests were shown a shot video about Next Step with interviews of different released offenders, board members and volunteers. Sr. Marylyn read the land acknowledgement, followed by grace. The delicious meal was prepared by Sandra and her staff from the Academy Bistro. Nathanial and Alyssa provided musical entertainment throughout the evening. Mike, Orry, Mario, and Mike shared their stories. They spoke from the heart and touched the hearts of all in attendance. Sr. Lorraine was the lucky winner of the table prize and Sr. Lesley walked away with several of the raffle prizes. It was their lucky night.

Louis Balcaen, a board member and longtime supporter of Next Step, thanked the group, with particular thanks going to Kim and her son, Tyler, for their wonderful work in creating a most successful evening. With 140 in attendance the bar has been set high for any dinners to follow.

Sunday, October 12, the Sisters at Residence Despins were asked to make sandwiches yet again for the Immaculate Conception Drop In located in the poorest area of the city. If a parish is unable to come through or there is no parish at all, the Sisters are called upon. Sisters then call upon their friends in the residence (Grey nuns and lay people) to assist them in making sandwiches for about five hundred people. Sadly, the numbers at the Drop In have increased from about 250 to 450 over the past few years. The sandwiches are picked up, delivered, and served by teams of generous individuals, some of whom are our SNJM Associates.

The hungry are fed and God smiles. – Marylyn Gibney

According to a recent survey, there are some 1,600 homeless persons in Winnipeg.  Not noted on this survey, or anywhere else for that matter, are some 5,000 who live in substandard housing facilities. These persons, other than having a roof over their heads, are in no better situation than those living on the streets. For the most part, they are the “invisible homeless”!

Enter into play Equal Housing Initiative (EHI), a Non-governmental organization based in Winnipeg. They are presently engaged with the owners of the McLaren Hotel located at 554 Main street. They have initiated a redevelopment process, which includes renovating and repurposing the hotel into a safe and affordable supportive recovery housing.

The MB Justice and Peace Committee had been looking into possible action in the area of homelessness, Given the media reports on the McLaren Hotel, members got in touch with the team leading this project to learn more. In the aftermath of this connection, key players on the team were invited to give a presentation at the Despins Residence. On Tuesday, June 6^th, Rick Lees, executive director at EHI, accompanied by Sebastien De Lazzer, director of strategic initiatives, gave a rendering of the situation and the project.

Key ideas underlying the approach used by EHI to carry out this project are …

• A focus on “beings who fall apart and not just buildings that fall apart”
• An effort to work according to these ideals:
  • equity – basic needs should be met: are we offering fair opportunities?
  • social responsibility – housing has been recognized as a human right: are we being inclusive of all?
  • holism – all aspects of wellbeing are intertwined – financial, physical, mental, relational, as well as recognizing the value of one’s purpose; are we implementing the necessary support systems, not just looking at bricks and mortar?

The EHI team has been working for the better part of two years, laying the groundwork …

• establishing a sound network of relationships with the tenants of the building to determine their needs, to help them cope with present challenges, and mostly to value them as respected individuals.
• promoting partnerships with various service providers – social, medical, financial …
• building a strong “multisector” board, persons not only offering expertise each in their area, but given their own life experience, coming with a vested personal interest.
• contacting the governmental agencies from which funding is provided, and following up with potential players in the ongoing phase of implementation.

A brief overview of the end product was presented – in essence, it is offering the residents a simple home which will allow them to live in greater dignity and security, communal spaces to enhance their relationships, and health assessment areas to help promote and maintain greater wellness for all.

Needless to say, those in attendance learned of a dire situation, in general, not well known.

AND, all were touched by the beauty of this “Lift Program”.

For the SNJM MB Justice and Peace Committee

Yvonne Massicotte, snjm