A year of important events

During an international meeting held in Longueuil from the 7th to the 11th of April, 2011, 24 Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM), representing five countries (Canada, Brazil, Peru, Lesotho and the United States), dealt  with a number of dossiers important to the life of the Congregation.
They also heard reports of the activities of the NGO’s with which the Congregation is associated: Unanima International In the United States, Development and Peace in Canada and the Transformation Resource Center in Lesotho.
 
This working session which had as its theme:  “Leadership Promoting Interdependence”, also had as its goal to finalize the preparations for the General Chapter. This large meeting, which is organized every five years, will be held in Cornwall, Ontario, from the 7th to the 22nd of July. At that time, decisions will be made regarding the general direction of the Congregation for the coming years and the election of new members to the Leadership Team of the Congregation, founded in Longueuil, in 1844, by Eulalie Durocher (Mother Marie-Rose).

   
The meetings included several hours of relaxation during which there were visits to Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu and Beloeil, where Eulalie Durocher lived and worked. We are reminded that next October, the Municipality of Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu will be the setting for celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Eulalie.

In connection with this, commemorative stamps will be issued by Canada Post and the U.S. Postal Service to call attention to this event.  The participants were delighted to receive samples of these stamps.  
 
In closing, let us remember that the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) have contributed to the establishment and management of numerous public and private teaching institutions in Quebec. We might mention here, among others, Collège Durocher of which the Pavillon St-Lambert celebrated 100 years of existence this year. These “Educators for Life” are still working today for the full development of the human person through education, through their presence to the oppressed and through promotion of the arts. They are also very involved in parish work.