Fall/Automne 2014 - Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

Vents des prairies
Prairie Winds
Manitoba
Automne-Fall 2014
Summer Days / Jours d’été 2014 Mission / Missioning Our missioning opens with a formal re‐
coun ng by Sr. Mary Gorman and Sr. Lé‐
onne Dumesnil of our Manitoba mission‐
aries’ journey to Manitoba in 1874, 140 years ago, in response to Bishop Taché’s request, four Sisters of the Holy Names were missioned to the Red River Se le‐
ment across from St. Boniface. Sisters Jean‐de‐dieu, Electa, and Marie‐Elie, were all in their early 20’s and Sister Floren ne was only nineteen. Elles étaient très jeune pour être mission‐
naires et fondatrice, mais Dieu appelait et elles répondaient à l’appel. Cet anniver‐
saire excep onnel nous appelle, nous, leurs descendants à écouter encore une fois le récit de leur péril de 13 jours de Montréal tel que raconté par Sœur Électa. We listen to these words echoing down to us through the years…the heartache of leaving friends and familiar rou nes; the excitement of crossing the Great Lakes; the stormy welcome to Duluth followed by mending vestments for Father Lacombe; travelling by train through the forests of Minnesota so reminiscent of home; an encounter with rain and mos‐
quitoes on the steamship heading north on the Red River; and finally, the amazing moment when St. Boniface cathedral comes into view in the distance. Our chronicler’s entries sum up their arrival in Manitoba on August 22, 1874. Chronicles from our Foundresses’ journey proclaimed by Sr. Mary Gorman and Sr. Léonne Dumesnil Le 22 août : « À 5 h nous arrivons à Fort Garry. Dix mi‐
nutes en bateau nous font traverser la rivière où nous sommes reçues par Monseigneur Taché. Il nous a bénies et nous a dit : « Mille et mille fois Bienvenue, mes chères sœurs!. » Nous avons passé la nuit chez les Sœurs Grises ». Le 23 août : « Ce ma n, Mère Hamel et Sœur Fiset nous accompagnent à notre nouvelle demeure de l’autre côté de la rivière. La maison est pauvre en apparence, mais la chapelle si pe te et dénuée nous charme par sa simplicité. Le Saint Sacrement arrivera demain. Nous avons tellement hâte de pouvoir nous agenouiller de‐
vant notre Seigneur et d’implorer sans cesse pour les grâces nécessaires à l’accomplissement de notre mission au Manitoba ». Sisters and Associates extend hands of blessing over Sr. Catherine Ferguson and Sr. Kathleen Ross 2 Une joyeuse célébra on pour nos jubilaires! Corinne Char er, snjm La maîtresse de cérémonie, Sr Rolande Joyal, a lu un message de Mère Marie‐Rose pour chacune des jubilaires. À SR MARIE BOUCHARD (60 ans de profession) Mère Marie‐Rose dit merci pour son OUI d’il y a 60 ans. Marie, con nue‐t‐elle, tu as généreuse‐
ment servi en instruisant les pe ts enfants. Aus‐
si, tu as donné du temps pour de nombreuses familles de réfugiés; tu t’es souvent agenouillée pour embellir les parterres de nos chalets, et tu as réjoui tes compagnes avec des rece es bien réussies : biscuits, gelées, sucre à la crème, con‐
naissant les goûts de chacune des sœurs. Ainsi, je te présente, aujourd’hui, une fleur, oiseau du paradis pour l’amour et la générosité avec les‐
quels tu as été fidèle à servir Jésus et Marie. À SR MARIA CARIGNAN (70 ans de profession) Mère Marie‐Rose dit qu’elle a toujours veillé sur elle dans l’accomplissement de sa mission d’en‐
seignante et que Jésus et Marie l’accueillaient aujourd’hui pour son dévouement incondi onnel, Srs. Maria and Marie receive flowers from (Sr. Yolande Marion) pour sa joie de vivre, mission qu’elle con nue en‐
core au Centre Ac onmarguerite. Je te présente un joli lis, chère Sr Maria en reconnaissance pour tes 70 ans de fidélité à notre charisme. ****************** Et toi, SR ALMA FONTAINE (60 ans de profession) dit Mère Marie‐Rose, comme celle de la Vierge Marie ta vie a été un service con nu pour les per‐
sonnes autour de toi. Tu n’étais jamais seule dans ta cuisine car j’étais toujours là à tes côtés obser‐
vant ton ardeur au travail et ta grande créa vité. Malgré la maladie qui fait maintenant par e de ta vie, ton courage et ta bonne humeur, tu es tou‐
jours prête à donner et aimer et je t’en suis très reconnaissante. Pour la fidélité de 60 ans à l’appel de Dieu, je te présente une fleur qui ressemble à ton beau visage, un magnifique soleil jaune. ****************** (L . to r. ) Jubilarians, Sr. Rita and Sr. Alma Dans son message Mère Marie‐Rose dit à SR RITA OLIVIER (60 ans de profession) : je t’ai connue toute jeune au bord de la rivière de Ste‐Agathe. Depuis ce temps, je t’ai accompagnée dans tes études, à l’œuvre sur le mé er de ssage, au tricot de pantoufles et de ‘sets’ de bébé, dans ton service de cuisinière et à tes visites à des malades du village. Je te remercie, Rita pour ces longs temps de prière que tu fais tous les jours, beau ministère pour un monde qui en a tellement be‐
soin. En reconnaissance de ce que tu as été et fait, Rita, reçoit une jolie rose. Qu’elle te rappelle ta mission d’être une rose qui réjouit le cœur de Dieu. Félicita ons! 3 Time out to Celebrate our Golden Jubilarian Guest Sr. Catherine Ferguson playfully comments on the dream catcher presented by Sr. Yvonne Massico e Challenges of Restructuring : Some Reflec ons Johanna Jonker, SNJM Several years ago, Be y Iris Bartush, a Sister of the Notre Dame de Missions community, spoke to the SNJMs of the Manitoba Province. She insisted that Communi es be proac ve; they must take hold of who they are and who they want to be. “Don’t let change be forced upon you.” thing go, of crea ng a space, of entering the de‐
sert. In the silence of the ensuing desert, listen to the Spirit’s urgings. Resist the tempta on of re‐
turning to the familiar, of ‘returning to the flesh‐
pots of Egypt’. Give crea vity a chance. The final stage: Make the most of the so urgings that have been heard. Let the new germinate and invite each other to commit to the new. But how and what and when to change was a seri‐
ous ques on. So, during our August Summer Days the Holy Names began a serious reflec on on the how, what and when. The a ernoon was facilitated by Sisters Susan Wik‐
eem and Carol Peloquin. The ques on: With few‐
er sisters and increasing age, can we, the Manito‐
ba SNJMs, con nue as a province? How can we deal with leadership? Who will bear the burden of administra on in ma ers of finance, of communi‐
ca ons, of healthcare, of forma on? How and to what extent can the exper se and services of lay people be employed? What fears and concerns of the Sisters must be addressed? The opening session was facilitated by Sister Lor‐
raine St‐Hilaire. She outlined some steps which would help make the most of the changes we are considering: “Examine present reali es,” she said, “and then let go of that which no longer serves us. Listen to the promp ngs of the Spirit and then follow up on the ‘new’: simple words with weighty challenges.” The invita on to reflect and share on difficult ques‐
ons forged a sense of community and hope. Fears and concerns voiced awakened a new sense of possibili es and of hope. Mother Marie Rose walked with our sisters and guided them in the light of the charism and the Holy Spirit. She cer‐
tainly did not leave us orphans. The first step: Let it go. The sisters were invited to relive an experience of le ng go of either a job, a living place, a ministry . . . and share the reflec‐
ons within a small group. The second step: Let it be. Brings people to expe‐
rience the loneliness or emp ness of le ng some‐
4 Special guest crashes special brunch at SMA Carol Peloquin, SNJM On the Feast of Mother Marie Rose, students, facul‐
ty, and visitors gathered for Eucharist. Father Mi‐
chael Koryluk presided. In his homily he spoke of ‘Jesus the Feminist’. “Women did not follow Jesus just because they wanted to be of service. They first came to know and love Him. Next, they saw the needs he addressed and saw how important it was that these needs were honoured and desperate peo‐
ple received help. Finally, because these women’s hearts were touched, they sought to find ways they could respond to these needs. Consider a gi you have been given. Perhaps God is calling you to use that gi as Eulalie Durocher did, to help the poor in our world.” MMR presents a rose to Sr Marie Bouchard A brunch in the atrium followed. Many sisters re‐
sponded to the invita on they had received from SMA students and joined their student hostesses at beau fully decorated tables. When I asked one of my brunch companions if it was her choice to par ci‐
pate in this event, she replied “we placed our names in a basket, and we are here today because our names were drawn.” A host of uniformed Mission Club reps were our servers. Presenta ons in French and English highlighted MMR and the Holy Names Sisters. A ny Mother Marie Rose in habit appeared to personally deliver a rose to each Sister. Congratu‐
la ons to Campus minister, Michelle Garlinski, for the organiza on of a beau fully planned morning! MMR takes me to converse with guests Each and every table was a deligh ul mix of SNJMs and SMA students 5 140 YEARS NEEDS CELEBRATION Dieu vit que c’était bon! The delight, laughter, and stories were a reminder of God’s goodness to us Jésus et de Marie. Nombreux sont les endroits où nous avons été présentes et pendant ces 140 ans, il y a eu 694 SNJM au Manitoba. De ce nombre, ce e année, nous sommes 42. Nous sommes tou‐
jours appelées à collaborer à la mission éduca ve de l’Église. « Ce e mission a pour objet de colla‐
borer au plein développement de l’être humain » Const.#11. Le dimanche 24 août 2014 demeurera pour les Sœurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie une journée mémorable. Pour célébrer notre présence au Manitoba depuis 1874, nous avons préparé une rencontre fes ve à laquelle étaient invités tous ceux et celles qui nous avaient connues. Nous vou‐
lions renouer, remémorer et célébrer notre apport à la mission éduca ve de l’Église en terre manito‐
baine. La réponse à notre invita on a dépassé toutes nos a entes. Plus de 450 personnes ont envahi notre ancienne Académie Saint‐Joseph! Cet ancien édifice porte maintenant le nom de Manoir de la Cathédrale, un logement pour personnes âgées qui re ent toujours des traits de l’ancienne école. À son insu, dans une le re, un ancien étudiant de Saint‐Jean‐Bap ste nous rappelle ce e mission qui est toujours actuelle et je cite : « les Sœurs fai‐
saient par e du ssu de la communauté locale de Saint‐Jean‐Bap ste et veillaient à l’irriguer à leur façon grâce à leurs gestes d’amour, grands et pe‐
ts. Jusqu’à la fin de mes jours, je garderai une profonde reconnaissance de leurs bonnes œuvres. Elles n’ont pas fait qu’enseigner, les Sœurs des Saints Noms de Jésus et de Marie ». Il est impos‐
sible de fêter un 140e anniversaire de présence au Manitoba sans reconnaître avec émo on la foi, la persévérance et le dévouement de nos devan‐
cières. Nos fondatrices ont suivi dans les pas de Mère Marie‐Rose et toutes celles qui les ont rem‐
placées ont été fidèles à conserver ce qui existait et avec vision, elles ont aussi discerné et coura‐
geusement relevé les défis du temps pour ré‐
pondre le mieux possible à la mission éduca ve de l’Église. À l’entrée, nos personnes invitées étaient accueil‐
lies au son d’une musique vivante et entrainante, ensuite c’étaient des éclats de rire, des accolades, et que dire de la joie et l’émo on de se retrouver sur une photo de nos archives. Et le plus surpre‐
nant, c’est l’intérêt que les invités.es ont démontré pour les « Livres Souvenirs 1974 » et surtout la joie portée au comble en apprenant qu’ils pouvaient les garder. L’atmosphère de fête a gardé sa haute cote pour toute la durée de la rencontre. Nous avons a eint notre but qui était d’avoir le rassemblement d’un groupe diversifié perme ant d’échanger les uns avec les autres le vécu à tel ou tel endroit où étaient présentes les Sœurs des Saints Noms de Dieu vit que c’était bon! Bénis soient les Saints Leonne Dumesnil, snjm 6 140th Organizing Commi ee members (l. to r.) Sr Léonne Dumesnil , Sr. Mary Gorman (chair) Michelle Garlinski, Sr. Johanna Jonker, Sr. Charlo e Leake, and Sr. Marylyn Gibney 140 grace‐filled years! Our Holy Names’ family cannot even begin to count the blessings that have come to us since those four young sisters from Quebec set foot on the banks of the Red River in 1874. Our God has been there for us throughout ‘every season.’ We, as gospel women in soli‐
darity for libera ng ac on, have had the privilege of sharing the journey with wonderful people. Our mission of educa on in the faith with concern for the marginalized has touched the lives of thousands of people over the years. The delight, the laughter and stories of the hundreds who gath‐
ered to celebrate with us at Cathe‐
dral Manor are a reminder of God’s goodness to us. Marylyn Gibney, SNJM Visitors trace the Manitoba Foundresses’ 13 day trip from Montreal to Winnipeg on a map created by SMA ar sts, Panoramic view of the many visitors who dropped by to help us celebrate one hundred and forty years in Manitoba 7 Yvonne Massico e, snjm Yvonne Massico e, snjm A trip down memory lane with Sr. Jeannine Verme e and her family 8 9 JUSTICE AND PEACE NETWORK MEETING: LONGUEUIL Pat Bozyk, Associate I have been a member of the Manitoba Jus ce and Peace Commi ee for the last two years. In July 2014 I had the privilege of a ending the Jus ce and Peace Network Mee ng. It was one of the most spiritually and intellectually enriching experi‐
ences I have had in recent years. The days were filled with prayer, interes ng presenta ons and s mula ng discussions in an atmosphere of open‐
ness, friendship, and great hospitality. ger, Violence, Power Structures and Environmen‐
tal Degrada on. There is a general lack of under‐
standing of the issues as well as a lack of compas‐
sion. She posed the ques on: How does the Holy Spirit call us to ac on for jus ce? She also reported on the results of a UN survey “The World We Want” conducted earlier in the year. “A good educa on” was number one in im‐
portance, an affirma on of the SNJM charism of educa on. The results of the survey have been used to create the UN Sustainable Goals for Devel‐
opment. The first day of the mee ng was a Day of Retreat on the Spirituality of Jus ce. It began with a read‐
ing from Luke 18: 1‐ 8, The Persistent Widow. Just as the widow con nued to ask the judge over a long period of me to render a just decision so must we be persistent in our pursuit of jus ce at the risk of being thought of as annoying, pushy and unrelen ng. Catherine concluded her remarks with the follow‐
ing sugges ons which were later discussed with agreement on things such as: Following a reflec on on this reading and a moving story by Sister Joanne Pundyk about a 17 year old Brazilian woman and her faith in God’s jus ce, we read brief excerpts from the lives of Mother Marie Rose and Mother Theresa of Jesus in Oregon which demonstrated wisdom and persistence in pro‐
mo ng a just resolu on to challenges faced within the Community. We reflected on these readings as we visited Mother Marie Rose’s room, the Chapter Room and the Founda on House. A par cularly moving experience occurred when the SNJM Elders blessed the members of the SNJM Jus ce and Peace Network in the Maison Jesus‐
Marie Chapel. The most inspiring session for me was the presen‐
ta on given by Sister Catherine Ferguson on the Future of Jus ce Work – Global View and SNJMs. She began the session with comments about how we come to our work with jus ce from our own backgrounds, SNJM connec ons, educa on, and experiences. She invited the Network members to reflect on our view of the world and its needs and the most significant injus ces that cry out for change globally. 
Con nue development of the two corporate stands: water and an ‐trafficking. Try to fo‐
cus on these two corporate stands in rela‐
on to bigger issues. 
Con nue support for the work currently being done by the Commi ee on Immigra‐
on and Refugees. Find means to educate ourselves and others about the migra on of peoples and to advocate for systemic change to care for our brothers and sisters. 
Strengthen ac on for our three focus areas of jus ce work by building partnerships with key players on related issues. Network with others, volunteers, and social media. She also suggested that we move toward sup‐
port for ac vists in these areas possibly sup‐
port independent women who could be ed‐
ucated and involved in the promo on of work for jus ce. Maybe we can find another language. OTHER HIGHLIGHTS Ge ng to know the sisters who par cipated in the network mee ng was a major highlight. I was in‐
spired by the variety of their ministries and com‐
mitment. From mission work in Brazil, Peru, and Lesotho to teaching theology at a She discussed four major areas of concern: Hun‐
10 Sister Claude e Bas en presented a DVD il‐
lustra ng the progress of Development and Peace projects in Hai . Par cularly moving was the project helping people to provide food for themselves and to raise livestock and crops to sell. seminary in New York and university in Los Ange‐
les, to working with vic ms of crime in Washing‐
ton and teaching religion in an SNJM high school. I feel blessed to have shared in the joy, faith and knowledge that these women brought to the mee ng. Sister Phyllis Douillard presented a session on ‘Violence Done to Women’. The film The Honor Diaries was shown. It featured nine women’s rights advocates with connec ons to Muslim‐
majority socie es who are engaged in a dialogue about gender inequality. Freedom of movement, the right to educa on, forced marriage and fe‐
male genital mu la on were some of the abuses explored in depth. The women in the film ex‐
posed the paralyzing poli cal correctness that prevents many from iden fying, understanding and addressing this interna onal human rights disaster. Sister Eugenia Masheane provided an update on the Transforma on Resource Centre in Lesotho which is helping people displaced from their homes by the Lesotho Highland Water Project as well as those suffering other injus ces related to mining and environmen‐
tal destruc on. Sister Joanne Pundyk reported on the collab‐
ora ve efforts of many religious communi es in Brazil to raise awareness of trafficking at the World Cup of Soccer in Brazil. These reli‐
gious women created and distributed a very effec ve brochure that had been designed as a soccer ball which opened up to show an ‐
trafficking informa on. They also distributed a symbolic prayer bracelet that became very popular. Following the viewing of the film, a panel of three women presented their experiences and views on the impact religion and culture had on them. Two of the women came from Muslim‐majority countries. Members of the Jus ce & Peace Network receiving a blessing from the residents of Maison Jésus‐Marie 11 “Blessed are those who are Good News for the broken in spirit” Carol Peloquin, snjm Ernie and Lucille Bart at Summer Days How lovely to welcome our friends and associates, Lucille and Ernie Bart, to our Summer Days podi‐
um. It is hard to believe all that ArtBeat has ac‐
complished in the 10 years of its existence. Their presenta on opened with expressions of gra tude for the love and support that SNJM Sisters and Associates have provided from the very beginning un l now. Nigel Bart & volunteers in Artbeat Gallery during Art‐a‐thon have benefi ed from par cipa on in Artbeat’s six month program that offers them studio space in an atmosphere of personal encouragement. We are pleased that our par cipants come from all walks of life and all races, each of them vulnera‐
ble and broken”. Years ago Lucille and Ernie felt the tug of our char‐
ism and iden fied with Mother Marie Rose’s con‐
cern for the poor and marginalized, their special entry point being persons who suffer and struggle with mental illness. “We first met with a group of Sisters to share our dream, the dream to provide a place where ar sts suffering from mental illness could gather to explore their crea ve poten al. The Sisters’ enthusiasm spurred us on, and the search began that ended in a warehouse on Albert Street.” The Barts expressed par cular gra tude to Sr. Johanna Jonker and Sr. Edith Grenier for their years of service on the ArtBeat Board, and spoke fondly of the dozens of visits SMA students have made over the years. Lucille shared that their journeying is grounded in the po ery metaphor. “We need to remain cen‐
tered both individually and as an organiza on. Some 200 ar sts suffering from a mental illness 12 She spoke of growth. Several years ago Lucille and her son, Nigel, were joined by Ernie, who founded Studio Central, an Inner City Urban Arts Centre. Besides offering an opportunity for new‐
comers to “drop in”, Studio Central provides an ongoing connec on and “sanctuary” for ArtBeat alumni. Their newest enterprise just opened in Portage Place. Upbeat Artworks Bou que Gallery provides an opportunity for the public to meet their ar sts and an opportunity for these ar sts to display and sell their art. Challenges remain: Funding is always a challenge. Early on they recognized that the interest on an endowment fund could provide regular income, act as a buffer in hard mes, but it has been diffi‐
cult to set aside money for such a fund when dai‐
ly, weekly, monthly costs must be met and bills paid. While the mental health movement is gain‐
ing strength it has a long way to go and their or‐
ganiza on is o en under pressure from funders to depart from their central focus as a family run Ernie, Lucille, and ar sts at Upbeat Artworks during the opening recep on (6 alumni ar sts Chris Johnston, Ruth Schlick, David Henry, Brad Guiboche, Emily Wasylyk, and Kelvin Free) business to a corporate enterprise. Finally, “ it can be challenging to find staff who share our values and vision and who possess the commitment needed to keep the dream alive”. How inspiring to listen to these gospel wayfarers who became aware of a great need, allowed their hearts to be touched, were willing to give the me and energy needed, and had the persistence to stay with their dream. Believing in each individu‐
al’s poten al and buoyed up by all who con nue to affirm their mission, they remain commi ed no ma er the cost. Bravo, Ernie, Lucille, Nigel! We feel privileged to be associated with ArtBeat, Stu‐
dio Central. Carry on in the footsteps of Eulalie Durocher. You do us proud! From Studio Central during Interna onal Roma Day promo ng social jus ce and an ‐racism 13 Renewal of Associates’ promises
A chance to share her journey! Sr Marylyn Gibney witnesses Cecilia Wojcik’s commitment Cecilia Wojcik comes from a family of six. She is a member of Holy Ghost Parish and is involved with the youth of the parish. Presently, Cecilia is teaching at St. Mary's Academy and is part of the Campus Minis‐
try Team. She brings joy and enthusiasm in her commitment to furthering the dream of Mother Marie‐
Rose: to spread and teach the faith and to advocate for the corporate stands of the Sisters of the Holy Marylyn Gibney, SNJM Names. A personal reflection on the evening
Parfois, l’appel de l’Esprit est ressen dans le tout. Chaque par e qui compose le tout est appréciée dans sa beauté, sa simplicité, sa sérénité mais inter dépendamment. Le Renouvellement des pro‐
messes, l’appel à l’engagement le jour de la fête de Mère Marie‐Rose, le 6 octobre 2014 fut pour moi une expérience spirituelle qui transcend les mots, les pensées et les personnes. Con nuons à vivre dans ce moment où chaque mot, chaque chant, chaque personne et chaque appel nous rappelle que nous sommes un Esprit avec un corps qui dépasse le temps, le lieu et la personne plutôt qu’un corps avec un Esprit. ...And the Spirit responded to our call in the pres‐
ence of breathtaking storytelling that exuded ener‐
gy and invigorated all through song and prayers; a crescendo reverbera ng in Te Deum to our God’s hear elt call to ac on… When an experience is this amazing all of its parts need not be dis nguished from its whole...What a gi ! Luce e Link, personne associée Cecilia with her parents, Ted and Teresa Wojcik 14 Renouvellement des promesses des personnes associées
Cecilia surrounded by student companions and Michelle Garlinski (second from le ) who were part of her summer SMA Yakama Valley experience Time a er the formal gathering for refreshments and sharing 15 16