Our congratulations to our dear Mrs. Yvette Fillion who celebrated 100 years on September 24, 2021. Mother Marie-Rose is alive at the Seniors Residence “Paradis des Pionniers” in St. Jean-Baptiste. Thanks to Yvette who, according to her commitment to prayer, recites the prayer to Blessed Mother Marie-Rose Durocher every evening with the residents.

Some Associates and the Associate leadership team came together to celebrate the centenary of Yvette Fillion at St. Jean-Baptiste on September 30, 2021 and to renew their commitment as Associates.

From left to right: Célima Bruneau; Lise Hamelin; Marguerite Mulaire, snjm, co-responsible; Paulette Martel, co-responsible ; Yvette Fillion and Denise Sabourin.

Several Holy Names Sisters joined the Grey Nuns and others of the archdiocese to recognize the importance of the first National Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, 2021. The event began at the tent with speeches from the five chiefs from Treaty 5 Territory where participants were gifted with ‘orange shirts’ with the logo ‘every child matters.’ The gathering then moved to St. Boniface Cathedral where the youth lead a prayer and smudge. Participants were each given a candle to place at the stick representing each of the 215 children who had died at the Residential School. The group, lead by Archbishop LeGatt and the youth, processed to the Museum of Human Rights, to join with a larger group. After a prayer by Gerry Shingoose, the healing walk, consisting of thousands of people, moved northward down Main Street to a powwow at St. John’s Park.

Smudging

Sister Cathy Laviolette in the ruins of the St. Boniface Cathedral.

Sister Johanna Jonker and Jennifer Kilimnik.

On September 30, 2021 the Sisters of Despins Residence participated in the first ‘official day’ for Truth and Reconciliation – to honour residential school survivors and to mourn those lost to the system. Day by day, prior to September 30^th,, different ‘calls to action’ from the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (94 in total) were posted on the bulletin board. Decor at the entry and the prayer table captured the theme of this important day.

The Sisters gathered by Zoom to pray with the Sisters and Associates from Windsor. Later in the evening they watched the Amnesty International Zoom – ‘Suffer the Little Children’, presented by legal scholar Tamara Starblanket.

Top photo:  Decor – Aboriginal women, sage, sweet grass, and an eagle feather

Zoom call with Windsor Sisters and Associates.

Sisters concentrate on a difficult topic.

Calls to action.

240 Years of Religious Profession

On Friday, August 20, 2021 the community gathered to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of religious profession of four sisters: Sisters Pat Atkins, Josephine Chudzik, Pauline Saurette and Lorraine St-Hilaire.  After more than a year of pandemic restrictions and Zoom calls everyone was happy to come together in person once again.

The summer in Winnipeg had been extraordinarily hot and dry and the planned outdoor ice-cream party was eagerly anticipated. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Friday afternoon arrived rainy and cooler so the party was moved indoors with smaller numbers. Spirits, however, were not dampened.

We were regaled with tributes, songs and stories about the jubilarians. We sang, laughed, and reminisced. And we prayed with them and for them, thanking God for their faithfulness and service.

Sisters Susan Wikeem, Cathy Laviolette, Pat Atkins

Left to right: Sisters Corinne Chartier, Lorraine St-Hilaire, Marie Bouchard, Rolande Joyal

Sisters Leonne Dumesnil and Pauline Saurette

Sisters Josephine Chudzik, Charlotte Leake, Mary Gorman

April 22, 2021 – People gathered outside to commemorate Earth Day in the planting of a tree at Residence Despins. Many Holy Names Sisters were involved in the celebration which consisted of poetry and songs along with readings from Scripture, the Talmud, Laudato Si’, and Chief Seattle.

Throughout the week, many had watched Laudato Si’ + 5. Also, information about Ollie and Jerzee were given, encouraging people to continue to collect Tabs for Wheelchairs.

Tabs for Wheelchairs

This is our third year of formal outreach planned for all Associates to participate. This year, 20/21 we decided to contribute to Thrive Community Support Circle that offers a variety of services and programs. The Associates chose to contribute to the Baby Layette Service. Thrive has volunteers to sort what they receive and they purchase extra items from cash donations. New born babies are provided with everything they need when they leave the hospital. Beautiful blankets, clothing and other items are put together in a package to provide for the needs of new mothers and new fathers.  To keep within Pandemic guidelines and for the safety of all, Associates decided only one person should deliver the items.

I was full of joy the days I went to the Thrive office to bring the donations from all of the Associates. The opportunity at this time when we have to find new ways to help was an emotional experience as I pictured a lovely newborn all ready to go home. It was very gratifying to be received by them. They thanked me profusely and then a few days later I received a hand written thank you to all Associates from Rhonda Elias-Penner, Executive Director.  She wrote, “thank you for the overwhelming support…and know how important these generous donations are for our littlest “Thrivers” and their families!”

Jean Van Walleghem

Associates gathered the evening of February 10, 2021 to share on “The Spirituality of Struggle,” a presentation by Sr. Joan Chittister. The magic of Zoom enabled associates from afar to join – Norma Steven (Nanaimo), Linda Gervais (Edmonton), Ernie and Lucille Bart (all the way from Carman) and Sally McEachen (California).

Sr. Joan spoke of struggle and hope, claiming the spirituality of struggle is the struggle of hope. It is in this struggle, in the darkness, that we can find God. God stands on the dark road with us. Whereas despair cements us in the present, hope sends us dancing around the corner, to the dawn of a new wisdom. This wisdom can shock us into new beginnings and force us down unknown paths, in full stature and full of grace. God is with us and challenges us to audacity – to a strength we did not know we had. This stretches the elastic of ourselves in struggle, and because of this, we are able to journey with others. Sr. Joan challenged us to feed the hope that comes out of despair.

In small groups, we reacted to Sr. Joan’s insights. We looked at our own struggles from the past and how we found God in them. We shared how our experiences of struggle strengthened our personal faith journey.

To share meaningfully with others during the time of ‘lock down’ was a real blessing.

Submitted by Sr. Marylyn Gibney

On January 3, 2021, the double feast of Epiphany and of the Holy Name of Jesus, Sister Michelle Garlinski renewed her vows for two years in the chapel of St. Mary’s Academy, Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Sister Elizabeth Liebert, formation director, Sister Maureen Delaney, province leader of the U.S.-Ontario province and Sister Lorraine St-Hilaire, province leader in Manitoba were delighted and honoured to join Michelle in a pandemic-adapted prayer celebration.

The text chosen by Michelle for the occasion was the reading proposed for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus, that is, the Letter of Paul to the Philippians, chapter 2, verses 1-11 (Message translation). In Beth’s words, “What a wonderful liturgical moment to be renewing your vows, Michelle! . ..  Indeed this biblical text completes Epiphany.”

Congratulations, Michelle!  We love you and we pray for you and with you.

Click here for the opening prayer offered by Sister Lorraine St-Hilaire.

Click here for the homily delivered by Sister Elizabeth Liebert.

Click here for the final prayer and blessing led by Sister Maureen Delaney.

Click here to watch the video.

Sister Lorraine St-Hilaire and Sister Michelle Garlinski

December 20, 2020 – Due to the Covid-19 restrictions and lock down here at Residence Despins, none of the Sisters were able to participate at the Christmas dinner at the Drop In this year. Nonetheless, under the able leadership of Associates, Teresa Campbell and Mary Morton, we were able to help. Thirty-six dozen buns and buckets of margarine were delivered to Residence Despins. While some of us buttered buns, others prepared four trays of mashed potatoes. We separated into two groups to honour social distancing. This was the second time we helped prepare a meal for the Drop In. Knowing that 300 of Winnipeg’s poorest individuals would enjoy a special meal gave us a touch of Christmas joy.

Above Photo: Sister Corinne Chartier and Sister Yolande Marion

Sister Marie Bouchard

Sister Carol Peloquin

Sister Marylyn Gibney and Sister Johanna Jonker

Sister Cathy Laviolette and Sister Marguerite Mulaire

Sister Laura Gosselin, Sister Léonne Dumesnil and Sister Vera Hoelscher

Holy Names House of Peace is a residence for newcomer women located in the heart of Winnipeg. Its mission is to empower newcomer women to begin life anew.

The intercultural community of women who live at the House of Peace are called Neighbours. Twenty-One Neighbours currently live at the House of Peace. Click here to read more about this unique undertaking.

The House of Peace was founded in 2004 as a not-for-profit organization. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, their financial house is under new pressure at a time when the usual fundraising activities are restricted. To meet this latest challenge the House of Peace has gone online. Read about their new fundraiser and please consider supporting this worthwhile project.

Help create a beautiful home that empowers newcomer women to begin life anew

• Grab a front row seat and enjoy a 3 minute video.  Click here to watch the video.
• Have fun with our Raffle, great prizes and 50/50.
• All tickets will have your name on them and be put in raffle drum.
• Door Prizes courtesy of Jones & Co.

Ticket sale deadline  November 29, 2020.  Click here to fill out form.