Alleluia Alleluia!  The impromptu choir sang joyfully on June 4, 2022, the eve of Pentecost, as the sisters gathered to thank the out-going provincial leadership and welcome the new one.

The sun was shining on the grounds of the gazebo at the Despins Residence, home to half of the sisters in the Manitoba province. A lunch time dessert gathering was organized so we had time to visit and chat with each other as we said thank you.

The Selection Committee made up of Sisters Josephine Chudzik, Charlotte Leake, Carmen Catellier had many meetings since early November 2021 with facilitator, Sr. Huguette Fleurant, to co-ordinate the process of selection with the guidance of Sister Lorraine St-Hilaire.  So, it was with a real “whew it’s done!”  sigh of relief that we gathered.

Out-going team July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2022
Sr. Lorraine St-Hilaire, provincial leader
Sr. Edith Grenier, provincial assistant
Sr. Susan Wikeem, councillor for canonical matters

In-coming team July 1, 2022 –  2026 
Sr. Susan Wikeem, provincial leader
Sr. Edith Grenier, provincial assistant
Sr. Yvonne Massicotte, councillor for canonical matters

Sister Cathy Laviolette facilitated the afternoon program co-ordinating the many hands that helped in organizing this gathering. Roses and cards with gifts were given to each team member along with a short greeting.

The cross-over from one team to the next reflects our province’s limited number of sisters.

Sister Edith Grenier, assistant, carries on to the next team. She was fêted with the words of the wise and prudent. Sayings of the sages carried the theme of gratitude for her many years of service in our finance department as well as many other areas.

Sister Yvonne Massicotte has accepted to be the third person for the canonical make-up of the new team. The words of thanks were carried in a small receptacle but oh so packed with her many qualities, abilities and talents.

Sister Susan Wikeem, accepting to serve as province leader was succinctly honoured by the title  “That woman is her”.  We all admire her dedication and the clarity and wisdom she will bring to lead us in this time of transition in our congregational reorganization.

Sister Lorraine St-Hilaire was honoured for her many years of service through a comparison to the natural rivers where she has lived close to all her life. From her youth by the clear, humble Rat River, to the meandering many-faceted banks of the Red and Assiniboine, with the beauties and culture of the Richelieu and the mighty flowing expansive waters of the St. Lawrence.

It was a bit chilly in the shade of the gazebo but our warm hearts and energetic Alleluia Alleluia made the time of our thanksgiving gathering memorable and happy.

Our prayer: Mother Marie Rose give us a double portion of your spirit.

On June 1, 2022, a number of SNJM Sisters, Associates and friends gathered at St. Mary’s Academy to celebrate a tree-planting ritual in honour of Laudato Si’.  The school grounds are now graced by a new Autumn Blaze Maple.  It is expected to grow rapidly, with a mature height of 40 to 50 feet, and a canopy of 30 feet. Its beauty will be particularly delightful in the fall, when it will have bright red leaves.

Led by Christine Butterill, the joyful celebration included Pope Francis’s Prayer for the Earth, psalm proclamations, a blessing of the soil, and music praising God and celebrating our earth provided by the St. Mary’s choir, Con Fuoco.  Our concluding prayer is provided below.

After the ritual, we took a moment to acknowledge and thank Kitty Kelly and Gina Hoe, who have completed their time as co-chairs of our Associate Leadership Team.  Kitty and Gina have served the Associates with great dedication for many years, and we are so grateful for all they have done for us.  Our further thanks go out to Jennifer Tesoro, president of St. Mary’s Academy, Dave Morrison, the school’s facility manager, Colleen Dacquay, Administrative Assistant of the SNJM Manitoba office, Patti LeBlanc and Nancy Militano for their assistance with refreshments, Gina Borkofski for taking photographs of our event, and Anastasia Geras, Con Fuoco choir director.

A delightful time of fellowship and light refreshment followed the ritual, after which, all guests were invited to place a shovel full of soil around our newly planted tree.

God of the Universe,
You made the heavens and the earth,
Upon this tree we have planted in the grounds of SMA may your stars rain down their blessed dust.
May it and us be blessed with rain and sunshine.
Grant us humility that we might become more human,
That we might mend our rift from your creation,
That we might then know the sacredness of the gift of life,
That we might truly experience life from your hand.
For you planted humanity in a garden and began our resurrection in a garden.
Our blessed memory and hope, therefore, lie in a garden.
We rejoice that we find ourselves eclipsed by the magnitude of generosity and mystery.
Thanks be to God.
Amen.

THE CRISIS IN UKRAINE:

Our SNJMs were involved in several initiatives in support of our Ukrainian Brothers and Sisters.

• A vigil prayer on a Sunday afternoon.
• An Evening of Taize prayer.
• A continuous rosary from 10AM-4PM after Easter Week.
• A collection of moneys and clothing and other essential items for families in Ukraine and for those who will be settling here. We filled a big truck with all of our donations.
• Our Ukrainian employees shared their stories with us during our lunch one day and we prayed the Lord’s Prayer each in our own language and a blessing over all of them.
• Our Ukrainian employees also prepared a Ukrainian snack for all our folks in supportive housing for Ukrainian Easter.

OUR SUNDAY DROP-IN:

Throughout COVID, the SNJMs have prepared 300 sandwiches for the homeless and the poor when there was a need at our regular Sunday DROP-IN run by the Knights of Columbus. Sometimes Parishes were able to provide moneys but not woman/man-power to make the lunch, so the SNJMs at Despins have stepped up to the plate whenever requested.  Last week, our services were requested again.

SYNODALITY AT DESPINS:

In response to a request that parishes engage in the Synodality Process, several of our SNJMs here joined with others, both religious and lay, and shared in four sessions of listening and sharing.  We had 27 participants and 5 groups.  People were open, sincere, and very in touch with many issues that we face. Their visions for our Church into the future inspire much hope.

VOLUNTEERS:

In every aspect of life here at Despins, you find SNJMs volunteering time, talent, and prayerful concern.  We especially highlight our SNJM involvement in all the beautiful liturgies of Holy Week, the décor in our chapel, and the music accompaniment.  And wherever we are, we attempt to share who we are in the joy and spirit of MMR.    

IN SUMMARY, WE ARE PRIVILEGED TO LIVE HERE AT DESPINS AND OFTEN IN OUR CONVERSATIONS WE SHARE  OUR GRATITUDE.

Sister Carol’s legacy was evident as we celebrated Kathleen Mico and Brian Godkin who are retiring from Future Hope (Next Step and Quixote House).  They both have given so much in their ministry with released offenders.

Sr. Carol enlisted Kathleen as a volunteer at Next Step, then mentored Kathleen to take her place when she retired. Carol continued as a volunteer.

Sr. Carol journeyed with Brian for years and saw his potential. She asked him to take on the role of house manager at Quixote House, a home for released offenders.

When people spoke of the help given by Kathleen and Brian over the years, they so often mentioned Sr. Carol’s involvement. Interesting, too, is that the replacements for Kathleen and Brian had also worked with Sr. Carol and see her as an inspiration.

Future Hope is critical to reintegrating men into society. Its significance is demonstrated in Kathleen’s words, “I have learned so much since 2007 mentored by Sr. Carol. I’ve grown and learned to be compassionate. I am honoured to be of help to the ‘guys’. It certainly has been reciprocal. It’s been a spiritual journey, guided by God’s hand.”

Brian spoke of the generosity of ‘the guys’, “we all have issues; we all make mistakes and we have to move on. Forgiveness is a big part of this. It is a mutual journey where healing can start. I give the credit to God for this.  My time here has been inspiring – it has been a ministry of love.” 

Click here to learn more about Future Hope.

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