In section: SNJM Life

A Faith Journey...We would have thought we were listening to the Apostle Paul...

Eucharistic Celebration presided by Fr. Pierre Bach, c.s.s.r.

The Sisters at Marie-Rose-Durocher Residence celebrated the gift of faith. Following the Eucharistic Celebration the group gathered to listen to Pierre Bach, CSSR, as he witnessed to his experience of faith, which deepened during his voyage and survival across the sea.

The fragility of the overcrowded boat, promiscuity, scarcity of food, fear of pirates and shallow water, long nights, dangers... Throughout it all, there was a single watchword:  Stay the course towards freedom! And when we saw an offshore drilling rig on the horizon and finally reached it, we had to endure the torture of long hours of negotiations to be hoisted up into a net, women and children first, during which with every high wave, Pierre threw bags, pitiful baggage, up onto the platform... He must have thrown about a hundred bags and his, the last one, fell into the sea. Pierre, the last to climb aboard, had nothing but his shorts for clothing.

Now, a 2nd journey began - that of the refugee camps. Pierre served as an interpreter. Step by step, starting in Vietnam, he would eventually dock at Longue Pointe, in the east end of Montreal before going on to Toronto...

Sharing the journey from Vietnam to Canada
Man emerging and maturing
And faith through all of this? It was the light shining in the darkness of agony, it was the certainty of being accompanied by someone Greater than ourselves, it was the prayer of Gratitude which welled up during weariness, hunger, encounters...Life is a journey in faith. Recently, now thirty years later, Father Pierre received a sculpture from a Vietnamese artist Hich, entitled: “l’Homme nouveau sortant de la matière” – (“The new Man emerging from matter” a tribute to faith and thanksgiving at the triumph of Life!)
 

Other articles in the section SNJM Life
Celebrating the 100th birthday of Sr. Olivette Blais, a woman of action
A Eucharistic Celebration Rich in Meaning
Interreligious Dialogue: "Who Is God" From the Perspective of the Orthodox Faith?
Classical Music Highlighted at Maison Jésus-Marie
Day of Recollection January 24th at Maison Jésus-Marie
According to Sr. Georgette Larose, “Serving others bolsters her happiness”.
Mission Statement for the year:
Musical Love Stories With the SNJM’s
A woman who "is a good blend of head and heart” in her position as Director General.
Latin rhythms featured during an exciting concert by the ensemble Harpissimo-Québec