We give thanks! Thank you to our eight women who said “yes” and are ready to walk a new path with many partners in the footsteps of Blessed Marie Rose. Thank you and many blessings: Connie Harrington, Linda Haydock, Daileen Larken, Mary Matoba, Alice Mothibeli, Denise Riel, Lesley Sacouman, and Susan Wells.

We really enjoyed the presentation of Yvonne, Susan, Joanne and Lesley at our Manitoba Province at General Chapter. Indeed, we are grateful for a history of blessings!

Associates can look forward to receiving further Chapter information on September 9, and the Sisters will receive information on September 11, as we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Name of Mary the following day.

Sisters and a few Associates gathered on August 21 to celebrate Carmen Catellier and Cathy Laviolette on their 60^th anniversary of profession! A good time to give thanks for years of ministry and community life.

Photo courtesy of Gina Borkofski, St. Mary’s Academy

On July 13, our friend Carol Ann Gotch was ready to offer her latest labour of love: The Lord’s Prayer – A Path for Transformative Living Illuminated by the Enneagram. In this manuscript, Carol Ann exposes the Lord’s Prayer as a work of revelation, weaving the well-known petitions through the hidden wisdom of the enneagram. Through a blend of prose and free form verse, she brings the prayer alive in ways that are meaningful and practical for the reader. This unique book illuminates a path for embodying our true purpose – to remember ourselves as beings of freedom and love in constant relationship to the Divine.

On Thursday, June 11, the largest crowd ever gathered to celebrate Rossbrook’s 50th anniversary. Sisters Susan Wikeem, Carmen Catellier, Johanna Jonker, Lesley Sacouman, and Marylyn Gibney attended. We were happy to reconnect with our Rossbrook community. We have been celebrating pow wow in the field across the street for 45 years now. It was begun by Sr. Margaret Hughes, a sister of Sion, teacher at WiWabigooni School with the expertise of present-day director, Patty Mainville. It helped to instill in the youth pride in themselves and their Indigenous heritage. Sr. Lesley and Phil Chiappetta (former directors at Rossbrook) along with Patty took part in the honour guard.

Photo by Janelle Malkiewicz, Owner, Spero Consulting

Sisters Yolande Marion, Josephine Chudzik, Cathy Laviolette, Lesley Sacouman, Susan Wikeem, Laura Gosselin, Edith Grenier, Lorraine St-Hilaire, Pauline Saurette, Marylyn Gibney attended the CCSTA dinner on June 6, 2026. In our name, Sr. Susan Wikeem accepted the Higgins Award in recognition of SNJM “outstanding contribution, enthusiasm and dedication to Catholic education in Manitoba.” She said: “The Sisters who are here tonight to receive this recognition do so humbly – aware that we stand on the shoulders of all those who came before us – starting with our foundress Eulalie Durocher, Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher whose 44th anniversary of Beatification we celebrated last month.” Click here to read the full response to the Higgins Award.

Congratulations to Sister Pauline Saurette who received an award for completing over 1000 hours of volunteer service at Actionmarguerite during the Despins Charities Award Dinner on April 21! While this milestone is remarkable, we know that Sr. Pauline has given many times over 1,000 hours of attentive care for each one of our SNJM sisters who has journeyed at Actionmarguerite over the last 20 years. We are deeply grateful for her generous and faithful ministry.

The Annual General Meeting at Despins Residence on April 9, 2026:

Aurèle Foidart, Executive Director of Despins Charities, highlighted the major projects completed in 2025, beginning with the installation of a new hot water heating system. He has observed that the system is both highly efficient and more cost-effective. The new air‑conditioning system will be put to the test over the coming summer. Projected for 2026, and already in place, is the new sight and sound system that has been installed in the multi-purpose room. It will make it simpler for our SNJM gatherings and for the Saturday night movies.

Residents were also given the opportunity to share their wishes, ideas, and expressions of gratitude. The bottom line is that new residents feel very welcome! We enjoy a warm and friendly community! 

The annual luncheon attracted some 200 supporters. Once again, a former resident touched many hearts by her testimony of shared struggle and support received at Esther House. Next year, the luncheon will take place on Thursday, March 4, 2027.

Esther House, founded in Winnipeg in 1997, is a safe and sober living home for women in recovery from addiction. Esther House empowers women in recovery to transition back into the community with the confidence that they can live a sober and productive life and achieve their goals and dreams. It has served more than 350 women.