WE CHOOSE LIFE!

SPRING 2016

SERVANTS OF THE HOLY HEART OF MARY INFORMATION BULLETIN

Welcome to this Spring Bulletin of the Sisters Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary which shares a variety of visible and tangible ways we are living our vocation at the heart of the Church and the world. This edition highlights priorities for evangelization with the youth, the poor, the refugees and immigrants, in education, pastoral, social and health services.

Our insertion in the church and the world is enlarged and deepened by the collaboration of men and women: affiliates, SSCM lay consecrated, Servant Companions, Delaplace prayer ministry, and co-workers. Led by the Spirit of God, two new missions have been established in the dioceses of Huancayo, Peru and of Idiofa, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY

With the Church, we have entered the extraordinary jubilee year of mercy which began on December 8th, the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the 50th anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council. The jubilee year will conclude on the feast of Christ the King, November 20, 2016. Pope Francis invites us to live this jubilee year as the mystical

experience of the Father’s love, the face of mercy, through prayer, the Word of God, the sacrament of reconciliation and through the prophetic experience of the Father’s love through corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

In this Bulletin, we find examples of the corporal works of mercy: feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead; and the spiritual works of mercy: counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, pray for the living and the dead.

EN ROUTE TOWARDS THE CHAPTER

Within this year of mercy, we will live our general chapter from July 6-26, 2016. “As an event of primary importance for unity in the Congregation, the general chapter constitutes a privileged time of assembly. The Institute in its entirety seeks to enter more deeply into communion with the mystery of the Church and the spirit of our founders. We strive to discern anew the call to conversion and to an ever-more effective commitment to the mission of evangelization.” (Fundamental Code, Article 158)

These months of preparation for the chapter are devoted to reflection on our mission as lived since the previous general chapter of 2011 and the formulation of recommendations for the priorities that will flow from the 2016 chapter. In complementarity with the jubilee year of mercy, our chapter theme is: Women of the Gospel, filled with the passion of God for the world, let us be witnesses of hope.”

May we live this jubilee year with expansiveness of heart, daily seeing the merciful face of God in Jesus and in one another!

United in God’s mercy,

Sr. Kathleen Mulchay, SSCMSuperior General

Women of the Gospel filled with the passion of God…

Waiting to board the plane

Sr. Yvette and Sr. Bernadette, centenary

Congregation founded in France in 1860 by Jeanne- Marie Moisan and François Delaplace, C.S.Sp.

Involved in eight countries.

The General Administration is located in the Province of Quebec, 2029, Holy Cross, Montreal, Qc, Canada H4E 2A4

Phone: 514 766-4694 Fax: 514 766-0868

www.soeurs-sscm.org

This information bulletin was produced with the colla boration of Sr. Ginette Hardy and the S.S.C.M. regions.

Coordination: Odette Côté, Côté Communications Graphic Designer: Mélanie Richer, 12H30.ca Printer: Imprimerie For

Copies: 1 900 in French, 570 in English and 290 in Spanish distributed in our 7 apostolic regions.

Spring 2016

WE CHOOSE LIFE!

LIVE, DARE, RISK, SEND...

The idea of opening a new mission that would take us beyond our borders filled our hearts with hope!

In our desire to remain attentive to the calls of the Spirit we sent out a memo asking who would be willing to be part of the founding group. To which country should we go?

Committees were set in place and visits were organized to Paraguay, Peru and the Congo. The new project is particularly challenging for the Regions since they already have so few sisters. We waited for respon-ses to the question of who would say yes to the call.

Our sisters in France demonstrated particular interest in the project in Peru. Sister Yvette Le Goasduff who had already lived 15 years as a missionary in Argentina expressed her willingness and availability. This created a desire to know more about this new country and to pray with renewed fervor for this intention.

We are aware that we are not numerous and the mission in France is vast. As we studied the feasibility of the project we also reflected on our raison d’être, our motivating force which is, of course, our apostolic spirit!

All of this prepared the way for our coming together in France on February 16, 2015 for the missioning of Sister Yvette. The following is a quote from the celebration:

“Yvette, you know that a profound apostolic spirit lived in the heart of Mary, a heart on fire with the desire for the glory of God. Although Mary never crossed the sea, you however will cross both land and sea to go to Peru. We ask Mary to give you her inner strength and the spirit of the apostolic zeal alive in her Heart. Go with confidence! The Holy Heart of Mary is with you so that you may be a light to guide, to strengthen and to sustain.”

On March 1st, 2015 an international community composed of Cuban, Argentine, Canadian and French sisters left for Chile to prepare them-selves for their new mission.

Blessed are you Lord for the life you bestow upon your Servants who are at the service of the Church!

Sr. Françoise Prochasson, SSCM

HOLY FAMILY REGIONFrance {5, rue de l’ancienne Église, 91230 Montgeron}

Missioning ceremony of Sr. Yvette

Sr. Yvette receiving gifts

THE FIRST MONTHS OF OUR MISSION IN PERU

After waiting two months to receive our visas for Chile and a 24 hour bus trip from Lima to Huancayo (accident on the highway) we finally arrived at our destination on May 8, 2015. We stayed with the Good Shepherd Sisters who welcomed us in their home until May 12, when we moved into our own house next to Buen Pastor Chapel. There was a lot of work to do in the house and we are still settling in little by little. Bishop Pedro Barretto and the faithful of the Chapel extended us a very warm welcome.

Huancayo is a large city at the heart of the Andes, located in the center of Peru (7 hour drive from Lima, the capital). Upon our arrival we were struck by the huge contrast that exists between tradition and modernity. This is a people that has managed to remain true to its traditions (brightly co lored clothing, traditional dances that dominate the numerous celebrations, typical food, popular religion) while co-habitating with the phenomena of globalization (cell phones, latest fashions, openness to the world). Another aspect that impressed us was the large number of young people. The po pu lation of the city has literally exploded over the past 20 years due to the number of immigrants that have moved down from the distant moun-tain villages to escape terrorism. Also surprising was the number of small businesses. The streets are lined with shops where they sell everything you could possibly want!

Concerning our mission, we belong to Santísima Cruz de Chilca Parish, that serves the southern part of Huancayo plus many smaller villages located on the fringes of the city. Farming and herding are the main sources of sus-tenance. Quechua, the main language spoken here, is the second official language of Peru after Spanish.

Our community is responsible for the Buen Pastor Chapel plus two other rural places Huancan and Huari, we share our pastoral ministry with the three young priests of the parish. We are in charge of the liturgy, a chil-dren’s group and a faith sharing group for adults. In Huancan and Huari, we are responsible for the liturgies, catechetics and home visits to the sick. We participate in the weekly meetings of our own parish where we are in the process of forming a Scout group (for children and teens). We also attend the diocesan activities organized by the Religious Conference.

After having spent eight months in Huancayo, we are beginning to feel closer to the people, although we realize that it is important for us to con-tinue to observe and listen so we can truly grasp the subtleties of this new culture and the needs of the people.

Sr. G eneviève Babin, SSCM

“BUEN PASTOR” COMMUNITYPeru {Jr. Manco Cápac No 179, App. 245, Distrito de Chilca, Huancayo}

WE CHOOSE LIFE! 3

Procession for the feast of Our lady of Perpetual Help with the people of Buen Pastor Chapel

Procession for the

Feast of Our Lord

of Miracles, a very

important devotion

in this country

Our Buen Pastor Chapel and our

house on the left (picture taken

after First Communion)

Sr. Yvette Le Goasduff visiting poor families in a rural area

Leaders of the Scout group making their promise

Feast of St James in a rural area of Huari

SPRING 20164

HOLY FAMILY PROVINCEUnited States {2041, West Route 113, Kankakee, Illinois 60901}

SPREADING THE SSCM CHARISM

Our Charism Committee, composed of Sisters, affiliates, young adults and friends, has been busy supporting and devising ways to share our SSCM Charism with others. One major event was the sponsoring of a Charism workshop to over 70 participants. Topics presented were the meaning of charism, foundations in the French School, historical development of the charism of the Servants of the Holy Heart of Mary, the interplay of culture and charism, and discovering one’s own charism in service to the Church.

From a tiny seed, we have grown into an amazing forest. This year marked the 30th Anniversary of the first Affiliates in the United States. We celebra-ted this event by a gathering at Nazareth Spirituality Center in Batavia, IL. Four members of the original group were present and gave testimony as to how the experience of being an SSCM affiliate enhanced their lives. Today we have multiple ways to be associated with SSCMs in the States— Affiliates, Consecrated Laity, Servant Companions, Delaplace Prayer Ministers and blueprints for more opportunities.

Sr. Linda Hatton, SSCM

BEING A HUMANIZING PRESENCE

Sister Karen Carlson is a Social Worker at Presence Mercy Hospital in Urbana, IL where they have developed a process where the homeless are offered services to help them regain their dignity. Sister was able to offer hope to a gentleman battling addiction. He chose to voluntarily seek help and with Sister’s guidance he found himself in a nursing facility. He stayed “clean”, ended up falling in love with a resident there and asked her to marry. He expressed his disappointment to Sr. Karen that he didn’t have a ring to offer his bride to be. Sister found an inexpensive band, purchased it and gave it to him for his wedding. His comment to her was “You’re the only one who believed in me and stuck by me.” To date, he is still in reco very and now a married man!

Sr. Linda Hatton, SSCM

HONORING THE PAST WITH AN INTERREGIONAL FLAVOR

The Archives of Holy Family Province, USA have a new home, thanks to Sr. Martine Dumant of our French region and to Sr. Yvonne Brais. Sr. Martine came to the States to supervise the moving of the archives from Presence St. Mary’s Hospital to the new Province Center. Many hours were spent sorting, cataloguing, arranging and displaying the precious historic doc-uments and articles. We are so thankful for the Sisters in France “loaning” us the special gift of Sister Martine for these two short but very fruitful months.

Sr. Linda Hatton, SSCM

Charism workshop

30th anniversary of Affiliation

WE CHOOSE LIFE! 5

COMMUNITY OF MANGAÏ – DIOCESE OF IDIOFADemocratic Republic of Congo

ON THE BANKS OF THE KASAÏ RIVER

A new SSCM community, composed of Sisters Marguerite Ntsama, Juliette Biemou and Berthe Ngono, was officially installed in Mangaï by Bishop José Moko Ekanga, bishop of Idiofa on October 18, 2015. It was a true ecclesial celebration with the participation of the majority of the religious communities of the diocese, approximately fifteen priests, and the students of the ten schools, (the young people are definitely a source of great strength here). One cannot deny that the spirit of solidarity of this Church is alive and well.

Reception of the sisters

The christians of Saint-Pierre Parish also wanted to do something special to mark our arrival (the Bishop asked us to minister in both parishes). On November 1, All Saints Day, we were officially welcomed with a Eucharistic celebration where the girls from the high-school gave us 10 chickens plus 10,000 francs and the parish another 7 chickens. Needless to say we had to build a chicken coop when we got home.

Sister Berthe teaches French to the first-year highschool students. The school was founded by Father Gabriel, the parish priest, in his attempt to provide a framework for the young women who are left to fend for them-selves. He often says: “My Dear Sisters, God asked me to begin this work and now He asks you to continue.”

Sr. Berthe at the Musiomo High School

Sister Juliette works with 10 other staff members who are helping her to slowly become accustomed to her new place of ministry. She does medical consultations plus works in the pharmacy and maternity clinic. She is learning the organization of this new work which functions very differently from the Catholic dispensary in Cameroon.

Sr. Juliette at the dispensary

In a gesture of thanksgiving to God through the intercession of Mary, Sister Marguerite restored the Marian corner of the parish church. The people are very happy with this initiative since they have a great devotion to Mary.

We are surprised, overwhelmed and some-times amazed by the number of young peo-ple who, from the first week of our arrival, have come to knock at our door asking for information about what they must do to en-ter religious life. We keep saying “Wait!”, but the parents tell us: “They want to be like you, you must help them.”

The Virgin Mary is with us on our missionary journey

Instead of praying alone as a community, Sister Marguerite suggested that we invite some of the young women to pray the rosary with us on Saturday. Approximately a dozen from among them were chosen to form a group called “the Daughters of the Holy Heart of Mary”. Little by little the group is developing into a vocation group of the parish. We are always deeply moved when these young women bring us food. We, the Cameroon sisters, are discovering the culture and mentality of the people here in Mangaï. We are happy to report that we scheduled a formation session that will begin this year in 2016.

Heartfelt thanks to our Sisters of the Region of Cameroon who shared with us the little they have. We also want to thank the Congregation for their audacity and for accompanying us in this new adventure.

Sr. Marguerite Ntsama, SSCM

SPRING 20166

FRANCEHoly Family Region

JOURNEY IN FAITH

When I made my commitment as an SSCM conse-crated laity I had no idea where it would lead me. I walked in faith and after two years I can honestly say that every act of commitment on my part is an opportunity for the Spirit of God to inhabit more and more space within me and an invitation to look at the other with the eyes of the heart. God makes it possible for me to discover the profound suffering, the physical and moral solitude that those around me may be experiencing. I accepted to accompany a catechumen in her preparation for Communion and Confirmation. God said to me the words he said to Jeremiah: “Do not be afraid, I am with you.”

Annie Bondu, SSCM consecrated laity

Sharing and transmission of the SSCM charism

ARGENTINA/CHILEDivine Providence District

TESTIMONY

Over the course of the two years since we dis-covered the charism of the SSCM, we were able to reflect and deepen the meaning of the words “family spirit”. Our Mother Mary accompanied us with her maternal love in the more difficult moments of our life. The sharing with the SSCM and their journeying with us filled us with in-finite grace.

Norb erto and Lili Machuca, affiliates

UNITED STATESHoly Family Province

MY MINISTRY AS A DELAPLACE PRAYER MINISTER

This Prayer Ministry has made me feel that I am part of the “Communion of Saints”! As I pray, I feel connected to the living, the dead and the Saints who are mentioned in the Monthly Delaplace Prayer Network. The formal prayers for the Pope’s intentions, the Prayer for the Sick, and the listed intentions help me focus beyond generalities. These intentions link me to the Universal Church and to the needs of others in Christ. I utilize the daily focus of the network calendar as an avenue for reflective prayer based on daily scripture or on the life of that day’s Saint. My prayers are primarily those of petition, but I include praise, glory, and thanks-giving to God for favors granted. I am grateful for this Ministry that makes me feel connec ted and involved in the Catholic Church. What a wonderful experience!

Helene Corcoran

CUBAMarie Moisan District

“PILGRIMS OF FAITH”

From April 13 to 19, 2015, sixteen young people from different parishes throughout the country were called to go on “mission” in the village of Imías, Guantanamo diocese, a place far away and unknown to the majority of the participants. Accompanied by the SSCM, we lived a profound faith experience made up of love, service, sacri-fice, and sharing with our brothers and sisters. It is a precious treasure that will live forever in our hearts. We were happy to be able to share our concerns, fears and fatigue with one another. Together we laughed, sang, prayed and met with the children, the elderly, the handicapped, the sick … who were not expecting visitors from so far away! We hope to continue “the missions” and become what Pope Francis asks us to be “pilgrims of faith, happy to bring Jesus Christ to the streets and crossroads in every corner of the world “.

O livia Rodríguez Rey es, 15 y ears old Young missionary of the Arroyo Apolo Community

WE CHOOSE LIFE! 7

Sharing and transmission of the SSCM charism

CANADA Holy Heart of Mary Province

AN ANSWER TO MY SEARCH

The SSCM Consecrated laity is a way of life that offers me the flexibility and space I need to grow and flourish. Chastity brings me closer to Christ and creates a space where relationships are not characterized by romantic love but by a strong and nurturing bond of friendship. From the time of my youth I saw chastity as a kind of protection of my body although I never used it as a means to escape the pleasantries made by those around me.

The SSCM spirituality is a beacon that gives meaning to my life and fills me with hope, joy and serenity. It makes it possible for me to pro-gressively discover my great love for Christ and provides me with the path I was searching for. Not only did I discover my own spiritual identity but a whole spiritual family was opened to me. I no longer feel isolated in my quest for freedom. I have found a family that supports me and with whom I can pray, laugh and create sisterly bonds just as Christ invites us to do in his message of love.

Rosanne Dionne, SSCM c.l.

CAMEROON Mary Queen of the Apostles District

AFFILIATION: A MEANS TO DEEPEN MY CHRISTIAN LIFE

From the time I was hired to work at Collège Jean Tabi in 1992, I wanted to learn more about the SSCM spirituality. In October 2007, I be-came a member of the group of lay affiliates to this religious family.

The monthly meetings, the testimonials, the sharing of experiences and preached retreats all serve to help us grow in our faith. The Spirit urges us to go out to the others, like Mary did when she shared the loving and healing pre-sence of Jesus.

These meetings turned my couples’ life upside down and finally lead to my religious marriage in 2009. The formation and mentoring I received served to help me initiate my children to the Christian life. Today, we pray together as a fa mily on a daily basis so as to remain firmly rooted in the Source of life, Jesus Christ. My work at the school provides me the opportunity to joyfully place my gifts at the service of the students and parents and with those the Lord places on my path. I contribute to the life of the Church in keeping with my possibilities. All of this brings peace and joy to my daily life.

Mme Onana, born Biloa C lémentine, SSCM affiliate

CANADA St. Joseph Province

AFFILIATION WITH THE SSCM: A SOURCE OF LIVING WATER

We are living in a troubled, disoriented world that has lost its sense of the real values. I don’t know who I am anymore! My affiliation with the SSCM family has become a stronghold, a bea-con in the night, a source of living water where I can quench my spiritual thirst. It nourishes my faith, keeps me vigilant to hear the cries of the world and to do what I can to respond to them. With my eyes fixed on the venerable founders, I allow myself to be inspired by their deep faith, zeal, generosity, courage, strength, actions, trust in Providence and Divine Mercy.

I espouse the SSCM spirituality and I identify with it. Each day, at the example of Mary, our Founders and each one of you, generous and ra-diantly happy women who live this spirituality, I place myself like an instrument in the hands of God.

Lise Fillion, SSCM affiliate

SPRING 20168

WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIESPHILADELPHIA, SEPTEMBER 2015

“Love is our mission: the family fully alive“. This is the theme I lived for an entire week at the Convention Center in Philadelphia along with 20,000 other individuals, couples and families from one hundred fifty coun-tries. Then there were the two million people who gathered to welcome Pope Francis, a sea of families from different nations and races all united in love to form one big family, who respectfully listened and enthusiastically applauded the Shepherd of our universal Church who lives and preaches love and mercy.

During the week we were repeatedly invited, both in the conferences and in the breakout groups, to live “the mission of love”. The family was de-fined as a relationship of selflessness lived in love and openness to life. God-Trinity lives this bond of love; he created us out of love and for love. Pope Francis doesn’t only tell us who we are but how we can live this vo-cation of love in a marriage between a man and a woman, for everything in nature is male and female, or as a celibate person for the love of the King-dom. In his homily he encouraged the families to live and to become aware of “the little miracles, actions and signs of tenderness” that we learn and experience by being part of a family. These are the little things make that make it possible for “life to become faith and faith to become life”.

This week-long intense experience motivated me to take more seriously the work that I do with families on a daily basis and to better collaborate in the animation of the meetings we organize for couples and families. Indeed, I became much more aware of the fact that “the family is the basic cell of society” and that society can only be healthy if the family is healthy. This week was an invitation for me to intensify my prayer for all families, especially those experiencing difficulties.

Sr. J eannine Paquin, SSCM Diocese of Quebec

ST. JOSEPH PROVINCE Canada {37, avenue des Cascades, Québec (Québec) G1E 2K1}

Group from the diocese of Quebec

Pope Francis officiating

MARY QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES DISTRICTCameroon/DRC {B.P. 1822, Yaoundé}

WE CHOOSE LIFE! 9

WAITING IN HOPE FOR GOD’S TIME TO COME

We had a beautiful experience with our sister Blessing Gwane, a novice living in our community. Blessing, who has been with us for five years, is originally from the diocese of Kumbo. During all of that time, her parents weren’t able to visit her.

Blessing waited patiently, in a spirit of faith and hope, for the day when God would fulfill her deepest desire. And that is exactly what happened. Her mother and father, who had never been to Yaoundé, came to visit and stayed with us from the 1st to the 4th of November 2015. We took them to visit the city, our communities and the pre-novitiate in Mbalmayo, where her father manifested his happiness at each visit. The day before their departure, we organized a special dinner in their honor. Sister Sophie’s grandparents were also invited, since they had become Blessing’s adoptive parents. Strong bonds were formed and the father, a Baptist, who until then had been very resistant to his daughter’s vocation, manifested his joy by in-viting all of us to his home in Keveu, Sophie’s grandparents included. We have no doubt that this passage will have a positive impact on the life journey of our two young novices.

Sr. Cobi Angèle Bilo’o, SSCM

40 YEARS OF SSCM VISIBILITY IN THE LIFE OF COLLÈGE JEAN TABI

November 8, 2015 was a historic day for Collège Jean Tabi. It was the celebration of 40 years of the presence of the SSCM in this teaching in s ti - tution, source of pride for our Church and for our country. After 40 years of sharing our charism with the people of this educational community, it was important that we take the time to stop to look back at the past with thanksgiving and to embrace the future with hope.

The jubilee celebration was an opportunity to appreciate the level of cooperation that reigns in this school. Everyone participated in the organization of the special events to highlight the festivities: a theatrical presentation by the staff with the help of the school choir, publication of a special review, special decorations and the culminating feast itself.

The Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Jean Mbarga, Archbishop of Yaoundé, in the presence of the SSCM, the High Commis-sioner of Canada, our collaborators, students, parents and the entire staff. It was an unforgettably beautiful and prayerful experience. Words of en-couragement were interspersed throughout the liturgy such as the ones spoken by the president of the parent’s association: “We, the parents, are beyond satisfied with the holistic education of our children as dispensed by the Sisters”. A certificate of honor, given by the Archdiocese, was pre-sented to Sister Paule-Marie Ndjom, regional superior, highlighting the dedication of the SSCM sisters over the past 40 years. We give thanks to God for all the wonders of his love.

Sr. Anastasie B ekono, , SSCM

Sr. Blessing with her parents

Sr Paule-Marie Ndjom with the certificate of honor

Mgr Mbarga and the High Commissoner with a group of SSCM

Theatrical presentation

SPRING 201610

DIVINE PROVIDENCE DISTRICT Argentina/Chile {Avenida Belgrano 1397, H 3500 BJB, Resistencia - Chaco}

TEAM “PROVIDENCE”

We set in place Team “Providence“ and gave them the mandate to identify ways to breathe new life into the youth residence Corazón de María de Presidencia de la Plaza. The team is composed of SSCM, lay people who know us and affiliates who are familiar with the reality of the residence.

We are presently in the process of writing up a project that would inte-grate the different elements that make up the life of the young residents: training, health, mentoring, administration and the present need for personnel.

We firmly believe our Provident God will guide us in our work.

Sr. Silvia Acosta, SSCM

HEART OF MARY MISSIONARY GROUP

On October 30 and November 1, 2015 the SSCM organized a youth retreat on the theme “Mary, missionary disciple with an eminently apostolic heart.”

Villa Elba House provided the hospitality for the thirteen young women and three young men from Resistencia, Fontana and Presidencia de la Plaza.

All of the participants were more than happy and were very enthusiastic to have experienced the mission in the manner of Mary Servant.

Sr. Juana Gómez,, SSCM

KEEPING THE LAMPLIGHT BURNING

The first time I returned to Santiago Chile to visit the affiliates after the departure of the SSCM, I was quite surprised to see the enthusiasm of the small group and how they managed to keep alive the flame of the charism and spirituality of the SSCM.

They have been faithful to continue their monthly meetings and have even invited other people to join the group. They continue to deepen their rela-tionships by developing the family spirit and by being there for one another in the joyful and in the more painful moments of life.

I was able to touch the joy, the openness, the closeness, and the capacity to listen that the sisters left in their wake. They passed by here by doing much good.

We give thanks for these affiliates and the Servants who were able to pass on our heritage and sow the seed so that it could spread. God will watch over them: “after all, it is His work...”

Sr. Delicia Cabrera, SSCM

SOSTENIENDO LA VIDA – UPHOLD LIFE

Sosteniendo la vida is a group in the diocese of Resistencia that has been functioning for almost two years. It was created at the suggestion of the Archbishop of Resistencia, Bishop Ramón Dus, after learning that two women social psychologists Charo Gamarra and Beatriz Javier, along with Lia Miño of Caritas, and Margarita Batalla, S.S.C.M., all part of the catholic community, were members of the Foro Infancia Robada.

The objective of the group is to do pastoral care and prevention with the victims of violence.

Some of the activities we offer are: a monthly Eucharist where the goal is to help people break the silence that surrounds situations of violence, information workshops, legal aid and courses on personal development.

This was a first experience of its kind for the Church. It is within this context that we discovered the mission to which the Holy Spirit was leading us and willed to entrust to us. We have seen and learned a great deal since becoming members of the group and have gone to places we could never have imagined.

Sr. Margarita Batalla, SSCM

WE CHOOSE LIFE! 11

A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF THE CARLTON STREET COMMUNITY

Every Sunday after Mass we take the time to meet with the parishioners. This is how we met Beatrice and Jean, a young couple from France, who Sister Diane had the pleasure of accompanying for the birth of their first child and with whom we all became friends. As a sign of their friendship and gratitude, they invited us to the farewell party they organized at their home before their return to France. While we were there, we made two new friends, Sophie and Sylvie, also from France. They volunteered to set up “Promise”, a program for youth, where Sister Diane works.

The following day, we had the joy of participating in the ceremony where six affiliates from different countries of Africa and Latin America made their commitment in the presence of Sister Ginette Hardy, delegated to receive the commitment of the affiliates. Their faces were radiant with the joy and happiness they felt.

Almost immediately after they left, a mother with her two teenagers came to us looking for a place to stay in order to escape the unbearable violence happening in their home. After discerning together, we offered them our basement so they could get some rest and look for a more suitable place the following day. With the worst over, they decided to return to their home the following afternoon, just in time for us to receive a group of young adults for their regular meeting.

We give thanks to God for all these acts of mercy that He allows us to live every day.

Sr. Rufine Lado Ndzoy em, SSCM

AT THE SAINT CALIXTE UNIVERSITY

This isn’t really the best title to describe the variety of activities that take place at our house in Plessisville! Each one of the sisters is a humanizing presence with different groups of persons. Sister Reine-Blanche Faucher travels throughout the town and the residences to visit with the elderly who are alone and have no one to talk to. She takes the time to be with them and to reassure them that she is praying for them.

Sister Bernadette Beaupré is ingenious in the way she works with the students who are phy s ically and mentally handicapped. She uses her creativity to think up all kinds of projects to make them happy and uses games to teach them basic Math, French and Music.

Sister Gabrielle Lambert also works with two groups of handicapped per-sons and 47 retirees who attend “l’université Saint-Calixte” where they can improve their French, become part of a group, share with others on different topics and engage with their community.

Sister Louise Garneau, in a new outreach toward immigrants to Canada, is preparing a 40 year old Tunisian to take the compulsory French language exam he must pass before he can become a citizen. She also helps him with all of the forms that must be filled, to understand the letters he re-ceives and how to answer them, etc.

It is our hope that all of these people will want to be better persons and help others because of their contact with the SSCM at l’Érable, The Maple Tree.

Sr. Louise Garneau, SSCM

HOLY HEART OF MARY PROVINCE Canada {30, avenue des Cascades, Québec (Québec) G1E 2J8}

MARIE-MOISAN DISTRICTCuba {Calzada de Bejucal 2317, e/Woodbury y Franklin, Arroyo Apolo, Habana, zona postal 10900}

SPRING 201612

GROWING IN WISDOM AND IN GRACE...

“CRECIENDO” grew out of a desire to share the richness of our charism and spirituality with the youth groups with whom we work. The goal of the project is to journey with these young people in their human development and faith life. We did this by meeting with them once every month between January and May 2015. Together, we reflected on topics such as the family, relationships and the Church. They had time for play, reflection, sharing and to decide what commitment they wanted to live the following month. It was an opportunity for them to risk an adventure that helped them grow “in wisdom and in grace” by walking in the company of Jesus.

Sr. Sussett Maricel Rodríguez González, SSCM

THE FIDELITY OF YESTERDAY RENDERS FRUITFUL THE MISSION TODAY

“A sower went out to sow seed… some of the seed fell on good soil… and produced fruit…” (Lk 8, 5-8). This parable sheds light on an event that we lived this year in the Region when we celebrated 65 years of SSCM presence in Cuba. In a spirit of faith and thanksgiving we had the joy of celebrating the com-mitment of two of our sisters to our religious family: Sr Yaneisy O’Farrill Rodríguez who made her final commitment, and Sr Sussett Maricel Rodríguez González, who made her first commitment. We see this as a gift from Providence that confirms that the seed sown in the soil of Caraballo, and later in San Antonio and Santa Cruz del Norte, parishes where Yaneisy and Susset were born to life and to faith, did produce fruit. We continue to ask the Lord for the grace expressed in the logo of our celebration “the fidelity of yesterday renders fruitful the mission today”

Sr. Yanet de la Caridad Lóp ez Fernández,, SSCM

MAKING THE DREAM OF CONSECRATED LIFE COME TRUE IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

I am deeply grateful for having been given the opportunity to participate in the Congress of Consecrated Life for Latin America and the Caribbean from June 19-22, 2015 in Bogota, Columbia. What we thought of and dreamed of “in miniature” from the perspective of our Cuban reality, took on very rich challenging proportions and nuances. These nuances were born out of our search for a renewed consecrated life that keeps the focus on Jesus Christ and where we are invited to “go out to”, to accompany life and give witness to a risen life in the context of our continent where “life calls out to us”. Our profound convictions urge us to unify out efforts so that “our dream for consecrated life may come true …”

Sr. Yaneisy de la Caridad O’Farrill Rodríguez, SSCM

AWAITING THE “MISSIONARY OF MERCY”

“To welcome the pilgrim” was one of the “works of mercy” that energized the commitment of the members of the Christian community of El Cristo; the SSCM and the villagers, who generously offered to open their homes to 65 faithful from the diocese of Matanza. These pilgrims came to meet Pope Francis at the Shrine of El Cobre. A climate of joy, communion, fraternity and hope preceded their arrival and remained with us as a result of this experience.

Sr. Micheline Demers, SSCM