Mass to Honour Mary, hosted by MB Associates, May 14, 2025

On the evening of May 14, 2025, 30 associates and sisters gathered in the Holy Names Chapel at St. Mary’s Academy to celebrate the associates annual May Mass to honour Mary. Kitty Kelly welcomed everyone and introduced Father Emmanuel Uzoh as the celebrant of the evening’s Mass. Father Uzoh is from Nigeria and is serving in the Archdiocese of St. Boniface. He is a chaplain at St. Boniface Hospital.

Before the start of the Mass, Kitty invited Sister Marylyn to make a special announcement. Sister Marylyn noted that the plan for the associates this year was to go “back to basics” – Mother Marie Rose, charism, and the corporate stands. In keeping with this them, she noted the associates in Manitoba began 40 years ago with the first associate, Joanne Kunz. She also noted that there were 14 who have been associates for more than 25 years. Seven of them were present this evening> Margaret Kingdon – Pat Johnson, and Joy Lussier – 32, and Marnie Puchniak – 26. They each received a rose after Mass, a symbol of the love of Mother Marie Rose and the SNJM community of sisters and associates.

Patti LeBlanc carried the cross at the beginning and the end of Mass. Mary Morton led the singing and provided accompaniment, beginning with the processional hymn, Litany of Mary, Psalm 40 with its response Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will, and ending with the recessional hymn, Mary’s Song. Michelle St Croix did the first reading of Romans 12:9-16, which reminded us how we can show mutual love. Father reflected on the account of the Annunciation as told in Luke 1:26-38 urging us “to fear not” and to say yes to God as Mary did. Kaitlyn Militano offered the Prayers of the Faithful.

Prior to the final blessing, Patti LeBlanc congratulated the associates of long standing being recognized this evening. She thanked Kitty for planning the liturgy, Mary for her music ministry, and Father Uzoh for celebrating Mass with us. She wished Marnie a Happy Birthday and congratulated Gina and Nelson Hoe who were celebrating their wedding anniversary on this day. She invited the group to the reception in the parlour (the Sister Susan Wikeem Boardroom). Everyone enjoyed the snacks provided by volunteers arranged by Elizabeth Grover, and the engaging conversations. Thank you to Gina Borkofski for taking photos in the chapel and during the reception.

Thank you to all the members of the Spirituality Team for organizing this prayerful and celebratory event. The associates look forward to meeting again on the second Wednesday of September 2025.

-Respectfully submitted by Pat Bozyk

Associates for more than 25 years:
Back row: Ernie Bart, Lucille Bart, Margaret Kingdon;
Front Row: Marnie Puchniak, Joy Lussier, Pat Johns, Célima Bruneau.

Jean VanWalleghem, Marnie Puchniak, Sr. Lorraine St-Hilaire, Kitty Kelly,
Elizabeth Grover, Margaret Kingdon