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The
Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa arrived
to Canada in 1903.
Since
then, there have been as many as 500 Canadian
women who have become Missionary Sisters of Our
Lady of Africa.
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Some
of them are in Africa, and others after having lived
the major part of their live in Africa, are now back
in their home countryto continue to live their mission.
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Sr.
Lise Laurin teaching migrant children
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Sr.
Suzanne Plouf with a girl at the Center Africanum
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Sr.
Laurette Begin visiting an immigrant family
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A
link between Algerian family members in Montreal
Since
Cécilia Bergeron returned to Canada in
June 1994 after a whole life in Algeria, she kept contact
with the Algerians in Canada. Her knowledge of the language
and of the culture opened many doors to her. She tells
us what she has done during these last 11 years in Montreal,
Canada.
For
the last eleven years I have been partaking in the joys,
sorrows and troubles of Algerians living here in Montreal.
Bishop Claverie once said: "We have formed ties
with the Algerians that nothing will be able to destroy,
not even death. In this we are disciples of Jesus Christ."
Thérèse St-Jean (another Msola who worked
in Algeria) and myself also feel deeply these ties with
the Algerians. Here I continue a dialogue of the heart
and of life just as I did in Algeria. The fact that
I lived there for 46 years and know the language makes
relationships easier. With some, the ties are closer
and we often meet around a cup of coffee or a couscous.
This strengthens our friendship. We share the same fears
for those we have left behind in difficult situations.
Adaptation here is not always easy when one has left
everything behind. One is far from one's country, winter
here is long and cold. The beginnings are difficult.
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kabyle girl living in Canada |
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Often
I serve as the link between family members, a support and help for
those who arrive here and are in difficulty, a confidant.
In Montreal the number of Algerians is growing. In general, they manage
to adapt well. They are courageous and not afraid to go back to studies
if they don't manage to find work. I know several woman doctors who
have studied to become nurses... One of them, a psychiatrist, had
the luck of being accepted for work in Abitibi because one was needed
there.
I can see that
among the new arrivals, the number of young couples with small children
is growing. Sometimes I meet families I knew in Algeria. Some have
come as immigrants or refugees, others to visit family members living
here. Sometimes there are some wonderful surprises! Others have
known our sisters in Algeria who have given them my address.
Last year I had the joy of seeing one of my old students again.
She was visiting her children in the States and made the trip all
the way to Montreal for the sole purpose of seeing me.
The Algerian community here is dynamic and active. Many associations
have been formed. They organize feasts, conferences... They also
take part in events here in their new country of adoption. Lately,
at one of these feasts, someone asked me: "Who are you, that
so many people come to greet you?" It's true that I know a
lot of people. Through the years I have sort of become the grandmother
of many Algerians.
Whenever she
can, Thérèse St-Jean comes with me. Wherever we go,
we feel that we are part of the family. My relationships with Algerians
have come about a bit like Jesus' encounters along the roads of
Galilee... I have not sought them. It is the Lord who sends them
to me... and it is always a surprise and a joy! Cécilia Bergeron
(Ave. Laval)
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Collaboration with Missio Canada
My
years spent in Islam land, especially in Tunisia, allows
me today to share this experience with Missio Canada (Propagation
of the Faith).
There
are three aspects of my engagement in missionary animation:
For five years I have been collaborating at the Magazine
"Universe", assuring the commentary of the monthly
missionary intentions.
Different articles illustrate my presence in Islam: "The
Bell-tower and the Minaret", the preparation of the
file on the centenary of the arrival of the MSOLA to Quebec.
Some
time ago I had joy of participating in a Panel with 5 missionaries
from the five continents reacting to theexposition of François
Lapierre p.m.e. on: "Mission, a new formula? "
I insisted on the fact that to enter in relation with the
believer of the Islam, it is necessary to accept certain
emptiness. I have just participated ina missionary Symposium
at the University of in Quebec.
I
also participate from time to time on radio broadcasts,
mainly at Medusa (a communal radio of the Low-City of Quebec)
about our presence as missionaries in Tunisia. Last year
the "Tunisian Woman" made me an interview, on
our role among these women. These broadcasts mean a lot
of monitoring, in order to give a vision that allows the
auditors to know the reality of these countries and not
only the touristic places.
Léonie
Goulet
Montreal
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Madeleine
Lacoursière
My
last years in Afrique :
In
1988, after the transfer of Kisubi hospital into the hands
of the Africans Sisters of the Immaculate Heart Mary,I had
to look for a new work. I was still interested in the medical
field.
I was lucky enough to be offered the post of Field Officer,
of the Danish Red Cross. This non governmental organisation
had just settled in Entebbe, and had the mandate from the
government of Denmark to promote the accessibility to essential
medicines at a reasonable price in the government's hospitals,
clinics and maternities of Uganda. The medical centres different
Christian denominations through the Joint Medical Service
were also interested in the project. A person was needed
to verify the use of the free-offered medicines.
This demanded a lot of travelling (safaris) to visit all
units of the country every three weeks. My presence as Missionary
Sister of Our Lady of Africa proved to be very positive.
My knowledge of the language facilitated the relations with
the medical staff. Being remunerated as the Ugandans workers,
I was considered like being part of the family, as well
by Ugandans as by the Europeans.
Back
in Canada :
When
I came back to Canada, I lived in Ottawa. I became in contact
with Development and Peace, an organisation founded by the
Canadian bishops in 1968, which aim is to collect funds
for the third world. The organisation has several local
partners, to assure the handling and the continuity of the
projects. Development and Peace has a great impact in the
Canadian population to collect funds when something strong
happens in the world. E.g.: the famine in Ethiopia, The
hurricane Mitch, etc. Now I am in Montreal, and I continue
this voluntary work here.
I
collaborated to the formation of a committee on Social Justice
in Ottawa, with different religious communities, in order
to help the women of the street who had a need urgent of
re-adaptation especially.
During
my stay in Ottawa, through the Catholic Centre for Immigrants
of Ottawa, I helped a Somalian family, which had taken refuge
in Canada, to integrate into their new country, to understand
the Canadian mentality and to face the daily realities of
life here.
Madeleine Lacoursière, SMNDA.
Montreal,
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