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

On May 10, 2023, to mark the annual end of year SNJM associate programme, the Holy Names associates, sisters and friends gathered in the St. Mary’s Academy Holy Names Chapel to celebrate the Eucharist in honour of Mary.

The Liturgy, planned by Margaret Kingdon and Kitty Kelly, began with Kitty leading a litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary which enumerates the many attributes of Mary our Mother, the first disciple of Jesus. Next, all present recited The Memorare asking for Mary’s protection and intercession. During Mass the prayers for the faithful included those for peace in Ukraine and Sudan  and prayers for the Associates and Sisters who are ill and those who have gone to their reward this past year.

Celebrant Father Mark Filips reminded us that the Mass is the highest form of prayer in Catholic worship since we come together as the Body of Christ. The dominant theme of the homily and readings illustrated the willingness of Mary to accept God’s will that she become the mother of Emmanuel. She must have been so frightened as she pondered, and with humility, trusted in God’s will. This thought brought to mind for me the words of a Holy Names Mistress of Novices, urging her charges to Soyez disponibles, – ‘be available’.

The liturgy was beautiful and meaningful as we were led, a cappella, by Sister Charlotte in singing the responses, psalms, and hymns. Thanks to all who contributed their gifts. Before the recessional hymn, announcements included congratulations to the SNJMs of the Manitoba Province who were celebrating their Jubilees this year:

• 70^th Vera Hoelscher and Sr. Louise Van Belleghem
• 60^th Johanna Jonker
• 50^th Charlotte Leake

The evening culminated in the parlour where we gathered for refreshments. The camaraderie was palpable! I am sure everyone felt imbued with a sense of commitment to do our best to act as God wills.

By Joy Lussier, SNJM Associate

The Bureau de l’Éducation Française celebrated 50 years of French immersion in Manitoba during its in-service day on May 3, 2023.  The day began with a video tribute to Sr. Léonne Dumesnil, who, as Principal of the first immersion school in 1973, was the pioneer of French immersion in Manitoba. The conference program further expounded on her impactful leadership role:

“This great pioneer of French immersion naturally promoted and contributed to the development of immersion in our province. Her strong sense of leadership, perseverance, interpersonal skills, dynamism and dedication constitute qualities sought in an educational leader.”

In 1981, Sr. Léonne was invested into the Order of Canada for her contributions to the development of the French Immersion Program

Congratulations Sr. Léonne!

Click here to see the video tribute.

The Associates annual retreat took place at St. Mary’s Academy on Saturday November 26, 2022 with Sister Lesley Sacouman presenting “Love is made Flesh”. The retreat was organized by the Associates Spiritual Committee.  About 26 members, sisters, and guests were in attendance.

The morning began with an impressive spread of cookies, muffins, and loaves to enjoy with coffee and chatting with each other.

Kitty Kelly welcomed everyone and introduced Sr Lesley with: “Sr Lesley began as a Catholic school teacher, on to working in the inner city, on to welcoming newcomers to our city. She is presently the Executive Coordinator of the Holy Names House of Peace, where 20 refugee women make their home.”

Sr Lesley’s friendly tone and demeanor are so perfect for our group as we continue to try to become closer to Jesus with the help of our Blessed Mother and Mother Mary Rose. She gave us food for thought and questions about why we were there that day, what is our greatest desire right now and where in our lives can we hear sheer silence. It was the beginning of advent so we were asked “are we willing to wake up, begin again and turn our will and life over to God?”  The final reflection was of Christ on the Cross and the words “Love is made flesh, …through you, … with you…and in you. My thought every day is: Everything flows through Him.”

Patti LeBlanc, feeling empowered, thanked Sr Lesley for coming and presenting to us. We are truly grateful.

The Spiritual committee members organized by Chris Butterill are Elizabeth Grover, Patti LeBlanc, Kitty Kelly, Margaret Kingdon and Tonina Fiorentino.

Written by Jean Van Walleghem

Photos by Sr. Marylyn Gibney

Featured image Sr. Lesley Sacouman and Patti LeBlanc

On Sunday, December 18, 2022, approximately 350 people enjoyed a wonderful Christmas meal at the Immaculate Conception Drop-In Centre, courtesy of the SNJM Sisters and Associates of Manitoba.  The drop-in, located in the Point Douglas neighbourhood of Winnipeg, provides weekly meals to those in need.

The Christmas meal is the highlight of the year at the drop-in, and this year was no different!  Each guest was given a hot meal including turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, mixed vegetables, and cranberry sauce.  Every meal also included a festive napkin, cutlery, a mandarine orange, a buttered bun, homemade baking, a candy cane, and a container of milk.

The SNJM Manitoba Associates’ Outreach Committee organized the event with the generous assistance of their Associate members and the Sisters.  Given the great response to requests for funds to support this event, all costs have been covered and a generous donation has been made to the drop-in to help fund additional meals throughout the year.

This meal is truly a community event, and the outreach team of Nancy Militano, Teresa Campbell, Pat Bozyk, Nicole Boudreau, Joy Beauchamp, and Mary Morton would like to thank everyone who contributed time, talent, and/or treasure to make it successful.  It is a great blessing to be able to serve in this way, and the team is confident that our neighbours in Point Douglas were embraced by the love that comes with a nourishing meal.

Mary Morton

Featured picture : Teresa Campbell