The current crisis of human migration in which millions of people are displaced touches us and invites us, as individuals and as a Congregation, to take a stand in favor of welcoming migrants and refugees.
It was in this context that the Quebec SNJM Justice and Peace Committee prepared a process leading to the adoption or not of a corporate stand in favor of migrants or refugees. A corporate stand is the response of the entire Congregation to a situation that affects thousands of people throughout the world, and is based on prayer, research and discussions.
A rigorous process
So, on February 4 the meeting with Mr. Jacques Morin, resource person, marked the first step of this long process. Educational materials for the entire Congregation were distributed to promote personal reflection and discussion in community groups.
During the month of March, informative meetings in the four large houses enabled the Sisters and Associates, who so wished, to share, pray and express their intention whether or not to support the text for the corporate stand regarding immigrants and refugees.
The English-speaking group chose to undertake this process on a day that had already been set aside to celebrate the feast of Saint Patrick. Four meetings took place at Maison Jésus-Marie, at Résidence Sainte-Émélie, at the Congregational House and at Résidence Marie-Rose-Durocher, respectively.