Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – May 25, 2015 – The blessing of a new monument depicting Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), was held Saturday, May 23, on the vigil of Pentecost. In spite of the windy conditions, around a hundred people gathered for the simple celebration.

A moving event of prayer and song

This initiative is the fruit of a strong collaboration between the parish of St. Antoine-de-Padoue and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. Father Christian Rodembourg, MSA, pastor of the parish, blessed the monument in the presence of Sister Catherine Ferguson, SNJM Congregational Leader.

The gathered community expressed its happiness punctuating the blessing rite with several songs about Blessed Marie-Rose. Totally unexpected, just as Father Rodembourg was to pronounce the words of blessing, the Church bells pealed announcing the moment to those far and near.

“It is very moving to see the people gathered here to honor the memory of our foundress. This is proof that she is ever alive!” commented Sister Catherine about the event.

About the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is an international community of Catholic women religious. Those affiliated with them include associates and lay consecrated persons. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, QC, Canada, the congregation carries out its mission of education on three continents. Visit www.snjm.org

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – 23 May 2015 –Today, on this anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, a new monument in her memory will be unveiled. The event will start at 4:00 pm, on the western outskirts of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Anthony of Padua, in Longueuil.

Replacement of the vandalised statue

In the autumn of 2004, a brass and copper statue also representing Blessed Marie-Rose had been installed at the same place. Unfortunately, in 2011, the work was vandalised and its pedestal has since remained empty. “The arrival of the new monument is excellent news for all those who remain faithful to the memory of our foundress”, explained Sister Catherine Ferguson, Superior General of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.

Revitalisation plan is moving along

An initiative orchestrated jointly by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and the Parish Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua, is part of the three-year plan to develop and improve the Co-Cathedral. “We are very pleased with this artistic addition in the immediate surroundings of our sanctuary. It testifies to the vitality of rue Saint-Charles and to the dynamism of its local partners”, emphasised the priest of the Parish of Saint Anthony of Padua, Father Christian Rodembourg.

About the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is an international community of Catholic women religious. Those affiliated with them include associates and lay consecrated persons. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, QC, Canada, the congregation carries out its mission of education on three continents. Visit www.snjm.org

About the Three-year plan to develop and improve the Co-Cathedral

The proposed development and improvement of the Co-Cathedral of Saint Anthony of Padua in Longueuil targets the optimum utilisation of this religious heritage. It proposes to place the historic monument on a tourist trail whilst respecting pastoral activities. It also involves integrating the site as part of a propose revitalisation of rue Saint-Charles so that it will become one of the iconic landmarks of Vieux-Longueuil. For more information, visit www.cocathedrale.ca

Longueuil, QC, Canada – March 27, 2015 – Because of its concern regarding the situation of immigrants and refugees, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, is inviting you, during this Holy Week, to a time of prayer and reflection on this important issue.

 During this time of re-membering the suffering of Jesus who died for us all, the SNJM Committee on Immigrants and Refugees has prepared a document to reflect and pray on the hardships experienced by immigrants and refugees. Could you take a moment during Holy Week to bring their difficult, oftentimes harsh, reality to your prayer?

 Reflection Holy Week 2015 – Eng.pdf

ALSO – we always encourage you, in whatever small way is possible for you, to be in solidarity with immigrants and/or refugees in your own area of ministry.Should you wish to contact us: snjmjustice@mts.net

The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary have taken a corporate stand on water and wish to highlight this special day.

This is the reason why the SNJM Water Committee suggests to look more closely at the spirituality of water and invites youto pray in solidarity with all SNJMs from World Water Day, March 22, through to World Earth Day, April 22.

 Find texts below that you can use in any way they might be of assistance to you:

1. A prayer fof World Water Day: Water is sacred.pdf
2. Prayers and reflexions four the 4 weeks between both world days: 4 weeks.pdf
3. A prayer for the World Earth Day: Earth is sacred.pdf

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – March 4, 2015 – The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) call upon the members of their community to mobilize and to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8. International Women’s Day is an opportunity to take stock of progress made, to call for change and to turn the spotlight on acts of courage and determination carried out by women.

This year, International Women’s Day has even greater significance in that it marks the beginning of the World March of Women (WMW), which occurs every 5 years. This year’s march will begin on March 8th and end on October 17, the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

About 2015 International Women’s Day

The UN theme for International Women’s Day 2015 is “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!”. Governments and activists around the world will commemorate the 20th anniversary year of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, an historic roadmap that sets the agenda for realizing women’s rights. Learn more about what’s going on in your region:
www.internationalwomensday.com

About the World March of Women

The World March of Women is an international feminist action movement connecting grass-roots groups and organizations working to eliminate the root causes poverty and violence against women. It first took place in October 2000 in New York City. To learn more about the WMW: www.marchemondiale.org

About the SNJMs

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is an international community of Catholic women religious. Those affiliated with them include associates and lay consecrated persons. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, QC, Canada, the congregation carries out its mission of education on three continents. To learn more, visit: www.snjm.org

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, February 24th – The Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary warmly congratulate Sister Barbara Spears (SNJM) on her appointment as an intern with UNANIMA International.

 “Given our close relationship with UNANIMA International, we are very excited about this appointment. We also know that with her long experience in working for justice, particularly for women, Barbara’s contribution will be very much appreciated,” explained Catherine Ferguson, Superior General of the SNJM Congregation.

About UNANIMA International

UNANIMA is a coalition of 19 congregations of Roman Catholic Sisters which advocates at the UN for the improvement of the economic and social conditions of all peoples. Its members carry out various humanitarian projects on all continents. Through UNANIMA, marginalized persons are brought to the UN to speak their own truth. The UNANIMA offices are conveniently located in New York, near the United Nations Headquarters: www.unanima-international.org

About the SNJMs

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is an international community of Catholic women religious. Those affiliated with them include associates and lay consecrated persons. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, QC, Canada, the congregation carries out its mission of education on three continents. To learn more, visit: www.snjm.org.

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – February 2, 2015 – The SNJM General Administration is happy to introduce its first newsletter.

This publication will keep you informed about the latest updates of the Congregational website.

Within this publication, you will also find the popular chronicle Archives in the spotlight, carefully prepared by the SNJM Central Archives Department.

Within the next few weeks, a section entitled Ministry of the month will be published. It will describe a ministry where SNJMs are actively involved.

Finally, you may also share this newsletter with others inviting them to subscribe if interested. It is easy; it simply involves entering one’s email address in the spot provided, in the lower left corner of the home page of the website www.snjm.org.

Do not hesitate to make any suggestions or comments by writing to info@snjm.org.

Enjoy your reading!

Communication Department

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada – October 28th 2014 – This year, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) highlights its 10th anniversary of struggle against human slavery by publishing a retrospective.

10 years of promising actions  

The SNJM’s have been acting collectively against human trafficking since 2004 through efforts to educate and raise the awareness of the general public and all those who are involved.

Retrospective available online  

To highlight this anniversary, the SNJM’s have introduced a document entitled «A decade of making a difference against human trafficking». The document recounts the major events which have marked these ten years of commitment and is available online at the following address: https://www.snjm.org/en/resources/human-trafficking

An evolving legislation

In conjunction with more than twenty coalitions, their persistence has contributed to legislation being passed in several countries. Today human trafficking is recognized as a problem and is being fought by a number of governments, as well as by multiple groups such as NGO’s and religious groups.

About the SNJM’s

The Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) is an international community of Catholic women religious, associates and lay consecrated persons. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, Quebec, the congregation is called to a mission of education, and is active on three continents. Visit www.snjm.org

Webcast: Catholic Sisters at the UN

Quebec – Canada, Longueuil , July 23 – “At the United Nations, we are annoying women!” So stated Michele Morek, OSU, coordinator, in describing the work of UNANIMA International (UNANIMA) at the UN. “How are we annoying? We tirelessly visit the offices of member states to lobby for the recognition of water and sanitation as human rights. Some States are truly annoyed by this.”

 Her analysis, during the webcast given on July 19th 2014, led to a positive verdict by her audience: the presentation was a great success.

Livestreaming across 4 continents

Sponsored by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), this event marked the first experiment in a new technology by the Congregation. It had participants from 4 continents.

Participation

Of 186 attendees 65 were on-site participants and 121 were web viewers. All areas of the SNJM Congregation were represented: Canada, United States, Brazil, Peru, Lesotho, plus viewers from France and Italy connected via live-streaming. Many of them interacted through the Facebook forum with questions to the lecturer.

The webcast still available online 
It’s not too late, you can access the English webcast at this address: https://www.snjm.org/en/events/webcasts

A French translation is also available at: https://www.snjm.org/fr/evenements/webdiffusions

About UNANIMA International

UNANIMA is a coalition of 19 congregations of Roman Catholic Sisters which advocates at the UN for the improvement of the economic and social conditions of all peoples. Its members carry out various humanitarian projects on all continents. Through UNANIMA, marginalized persons are brought to the UN and given access to participation in intergovernmental policy debates. The UNANIMA offices are conveniently located in New York, near the United Nations Headquarters. http://www.unanima-international.org

About the SNJMs

A founding member of UNANIMA, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary is an international institute of Catholic women religious, with affiliated associates and lay consecrated women. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, the congregation carries out its mission of education North and South America and Africa. www.snjm.org

On Saturday July 19, 2014, at 1:30 pm EDT, Michele Morek, OSU, the coordinator of UNANIMA International (UNANIMA), a non-governmental organization which advocates at the United Nations, will discuss the critical social issues of water, human trafficking and immigration.

Sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), the presentation will be webcast live from Longueuil, Quebec.

Three ways to participate:

• On-site

Persons interested in attending the conference on site are asked to reserve a seat and contact Josée Lareau at (450) 651-8104 or snjmga@yahoo.ca. The deadline to reserve is July 18th.

• LIVE on the Web

You can access the LIVE English webcast at this address: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/snjm-ga
A French translation will be available simultaneously at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/snjm-ag

To ask questions and make comments follow the directions and sign in with your Facebook address or join Facebook. We encourage this live exchange of ideas both in English and French. If you do not have a Facebook account, but want to ask a question, send your question via e-mail to snjmga@yahoo.ca

• Taped presentation

After the live broadcast you will still be able to view the video following the same links above.

 About UNANIMA International

UNANIMA is a coalition of 19 congregations of Roman Catholic Sisters which advocates at the UN for the improvement of the economic and social conditions of all peoples. Its members carry out various humanitarian projects on all continents. Through UNANIMA, marginalized persons are brought to the UN and given access to participation in intergovernmental policy debates. The UNANIMA offices are conveniently located in New York, near the United Nations Headquarters. http://www.unanima-international.org

About the SNJMs

A founding member of UNANIMA, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary is an international institute of Catholic women religious, and their affiliated associates and lay consecrated women. Founded in 1843 in Longueuil, Quebec, the congregation carries out its mission of education and is present in both North and South America and in Africa. www.snjm.org