The Oblate
Missionaries of Mary Immaculate

A golden key during illness
You are no doubt familiar with TV ads of people bowled over upon learning they have cancer. I once thought these reactions were exaggerated. I don’t think that any more.
In this video I witness in all humility to how the grace of the present moment became a source of life and hope for me when I myself was diagnosed with cancer.

To view the video (available in French only) go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGi97MUsJ7o&index=2&list=PLNhiHRigHObC5TlClbvVXZAENbt1SIMrR

Louise Fleury, Volunteers of God

A witnessing account by Paulette Ch. interviewed by Louise F. for a video, “A Door Open onto Life,” broadcast on the community cable, Nous TV (We TV).

Production and editing: Louise F.

Production of St-François d'Assise Parish in Drummondville

To view the video (available in French only) go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1Gy7MhC4qo.

"Since the Great Work of the universe can only be completed by each one, the cosmic and divine Artist invites each in turn to become a true artist of the beauty of the world…" [1]
For me, embroidery is my response to this gentle invitation. The pieces I make, stitch by stitch, allow me to tap into this potential given and received as a gift and thus perpetuate an art of living exemplified by two types of embroidery: black embroidery (balcony embroidery) and boutis (the flower). As consecrated secular, embroidery is my way of living my mission by contributing to the beauty of the world.

Denise G.

[1] Jean Proulx, Artisans de la beauté du monde (Artisans of the Beauty of the World)

Suzanne C.
Woman with a missionary heart, Suzanne worked in the Dominican Republic many years teaching women to manage their lives, steering them away from prostitution, an option open to them in their day-to-day life.

She was in charge of a home economics school, where, for eight years, she taught weaving, embroidery and sewing, training that allowed the women to earn a living. Today, a number of these women have become teachers, grateful for the opportunity they were given to learn then pass on their skills to other women.

Suzane is deeply grateful to Michèle Naud from whom she learned tatting, macrame, machine embroidery, fabric painting, and more - skills that, once passed on, allowed the women to regain their dignity.

Fancy work is a means of education. The knowledge gained contributes to the formation of the whole person.

Art, creation from the heart
Art, for me, is the expressing of what my heart has received of beauty, grandness and wonder. Art, for me, expresses through shape and color the feelings and the deepest preoccupations that dwell within me and in all of us. Art is my way of reaching out to others to help them grow into the best they can be.
Creating artwork requires silence, interior depth, listening and attention.
Art is allowing the flow from the point of the artist's pencil, brush or chisel what the heart has gleaned in secret. Art opens a door to a new vision of each day.
“Those who, in their most intimate depth, have been touched once by the beauty in nature, in human life and in art, cannot claim they have not an authentic understanding of beauty: beauty conveys its own evidence that is immediately visible”. Hans Urs von Balthasar
Emöke de G.

Knitting

Allow me to introduce my little friends. I have been knitting them for the past two years and, at this point, have parted with almost three hundred of them. I give some away but sell most of them. The proceeds go to the missions, especially to my sister's mission in the Congo.
I enjoy this pastime that calls for creativity and occupies my free moments. Producing them pleases me and those who give or receive them well as the missionaries who benefit from the money raised.
It promotes a spirit of solidarity and sharing in the residence where live. Many women offer me patterns, stuffing material and wool for knitting. Not only I have not had to buy even a centimetre of wool since the beginning, I have a supply in stock.
This pastime began when I thought of making two bunnies to give a great-niece as a welcome gift. Since I needed small amounts of wool of different colors, I paid a visit to a neighbor who provided as I had hoped. She is the one who encouraged me to make a project of it.
And there you go! I have been knitting since.

Jacqueline D.

Lucienne's Dino-Cocktail
Being passionate about culinary art, I love transforming natural products and producing new creations. I was pleased when I first heard about this new XXIst century culinary trend and decided to try it. It brought back a childhood interest. Woman of the soil, to this day I grow fine herbs on my gallery to produce pestos and coulis. I make candied fruits, jellies, ketchup and jams for my displays.
The dino-cocktail consists in the serving of a variety of appetizers: finger foods, "mezzes", tapas, antipostos and more. The entire display must have the coherence of a balanced meal. The approach creates a friendly atmosphere conducive to conversations around current events: social, pastoral and political.
"This evening has been a heavenly event," an energized guest said Lucienne.
"A marvellous experience where the beauty of culinary presentation is blended with savour. At Lucienne's, the dino-cocktail naturally leads to the swapping of stories around our engagements in our daily life ", added another guest, Gabrielle.

Missionary at all times,

The Institute invites its members to develop a missionary spirit and to participate accordingly as each is able. But, at our age, what can we do ?

One of our members, Simone Raymond, has worked many years with Collaboration Santé International (International Health Collaboration). Since moving to a residence she participates actively in this missionary project with others at the home. Although she is 94 years of age and legally blind, she busies herself knitting wool squares which Jeannine Bourque then sews together to make attractive blankets which are donated to under-privileged children.

In a spirit of generosity, other women join the knitting group and contribute by making clothing to sell at an exhibition. The profits are sent to the Oblates in Haiti in support of their works. The articles left unsold are returned to Collaboration Santé International to be donated to developing countries.

To the joy of needy mothers, Pierrette Ferron too participates wholeheartedly by knitting pretty baby blankets.

Martine Poulin, who has a record of many years of missionary work in Haiti, collects pieces of fabric to be sewn in squares to make blankets. At times, she swaps scraps of fabric with ladies down the street involved in the same project.

Why this endeavor? Because children benefit from the fruits of our labour and because it is an opportunity to exercise creativity. We are proud of the fine pieces that we produce from recycled wool and fabrics.

Our thanks go out to all who provide the basic materials.

Bobbin lace.
Bobbin lace is a handmade textile piece. It consists of working with threads wound on bobbins on a square or a cushion.
The lace as we know it today dates back to the XVIth century, probably in Italy and in Flanders. Each country had “its lace” with its own characteristics.
The industrial revolution slowed down the realization of handmade lace. However, since the 1970’s, enthusiasm for this art has flourished here and there.
In Quebec, several groups of lace-makers have been set up in many regions during the last twenty years.
I have been a member of the Guild of Lace-makers and Embroiderers of Quebec for the last eight years.
As soon as I attended the first courses, I was fascinated by this activity. It calls for a great deal of creativity, precision, dexterity and patience.
I believe it is important to have “a passion” that fills moments of solitude and gladdens the heart.
Colette D.