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.

Sister Jeannine Vermette’s passion and life work has been to spread the joy of music. Her many activities include directing church and youth choirs, promoting French liturgical music in western Canada, accompanying at Sisters’ jubilees and funerals, teaching instrumental lessons, providing a music memory program at a nursing home, leading sing-alongs with family, friends, the sick and elderly.

Recently Sr. Jeannine and her work were profiled in La Liberté, a French language weekly newspaper in Manitoba. The article is reprinted here with the permission of La Liberte.

On September 16, 2020, in Holy Names Chapel at St. Mary’s Academy, candidates Nicole Boudreau, Anita Cohen, and Adele Kory made their first commitment as Associates.

The service was planned in detail by Kitty Kelly and Sr. Marylyn Gibney. In addition to the candidates and the Associate Leadership Team, attending the ceremony were Sr. Lorraine St-Hilaire, Provincial, and Sr. Johanna Jonker, who accompanied Adele. Nancy Brennan, Associate candidate, was invited and attended as she has begun the journey to commitment and will continue with us.

Front row: L-r Nicole Boudreau, Anita Cohen, Adele Kory. Middle row: Christine Butterill. Back row: L-r Jean Van Walleghem, Gina Hoe, Kitty Kelly, Sr. Marylyn Gibney. Photographer: Mary Morton

The Ancestral candle was lit by Kitty. The Opening Prayer to Marie-Rose Durocher was read by Sr. Marylyn. The candidates were called upon by Sr. Marylyn to respond to the call. They all spoke from the heart about their faith journey and their contact with a member of the SNJM community. The Sisters and Associates are blessed to receive new Associates with this great faith, understanding, kindness and generosity to the people of our community and the whole world.  We will be able to continue the mission to serve others and live the charism of Mother Marie-Rose.

The candidates were introduced to our community by Associates and Sisters. Deanne McDonald spoke with Nicole at the Immaculate Conception Drop-in Centre at which they both regularly volunteer. Kitty met Anita at St. John Brebeuf Church when Kitty was presenting the “Come and See” brochure to all parishioners attending Sunday Mass. Adele told us that when she was teaching in Iqaluit she met Sr. Edith Grenier. She continued to want to be involved with SNJM and met Sr. Johanna Jonker at Micah House.

L-r Nicole, Anita and Adele

Chris’ reading from Isaiah 55:6-11, was followed by a time of quiet reflection. Holding their candles the candidates listened to Sr Lorraine as she asked “Do you wish to make your commitment?” They answered I do and the commitment prayer was said together. Then each one signed a contract “to promise to live the charism of the Congregation, to embrace the Acts of the General Chapters that touch the lives of the Associates, to deepen my personal relationship with God and to serve others in whatever capacity I am called”.  They were presented with the SNJM Associates pin.

As we all held our hands over them, Kitty read the Blessing of New Associates and roses were presented to them by Jean, Chris and Sr. Johanna.  The Associates renewed their commitment together, followed by the Sisters renewal of their vows. Mary Morton played the organ and sang the most beautiful Magnificat, Canticle of Mary.  We then prayed a closing prayer and gathered on the 3^rd floor for cookies and grapes, all wrapped individually for safety.

Adele and Sr. Johanna

Jean and Chris demonstrating the new normal.

To conclude, it was not our usual celebration; we missed Despins Chapel with all the Sisters and many more guests and Associates present for commitment and renewal on October 6, 2020 Feast of Mother Marie-Rose. We will remember this service as a beautiful evening of being one in the spirit and one with each other as members of the SNJM Community.

Click here to view more photos.

by Jean Van Walleghem