CANADA-UNITED STATES
Notre-Dame-du-Cap - Visit to Richelieu by the Jesuit Superior General
On Sunday, July 2, the Richelieu community was honored
by the visit of Very Rev. Adolfo Nicolàs, Superior General of the Society of
Jesus. On his way to Montreal through Quebec, he stopped by to greet the
members of his Congregation in residence at the Oblate infirmary. A festive
meal celebrated his visit, after which he spoke to the large group in
attendance to express his satisfaction at seeing the brotherly friendship that
unites the Jesuits and the Oblates in this house.
Father Nicolàs was
accompanied by, among others, Fathers Antoine Kerhuel, Assistant General for
Western Europe and French Canada; James E. Grümmer, Assistant General for the
United States; Jean-Marie Biron, provincial of French Canada. The visit was in
conjunction with the celebration of the four hundredth anniversary of the
arrival of the Jesuits on American soil. (Alexandre
TACHÉ)
United States - Franco-American of the Year
The French
language is alive and well in….the United States! According to Wikipedia, there
are 11.8 million U.S. residents are of French or French-Canadian descent. About
1.6 million speak French in their homes. Another 450,000 speak French-based Creole.
The first
Oblates who came to the United States were French, sent there by the Founder,
first in 1847 to Oregon Territory, but later to Texas, New York and
Massachusetts. Especially in the northeastern part of the United States, the
Oblates worked with French-speaking immigrants and Irish immigrants.
An Oblate who
for many years has worked with the French-speaking Catholics in and around
Lowell, Massachusetts, Fr. Adhemar DEVEAU, in recognition of his decades of service
to others, particularly in Lowell’s Franco-American community, was named the
2011 Franco-American of the Year. He received the honor on June 19 at a
breakfast held at Ste. Marguerite D’Youville Parish in Dracut, MA, the
beginning of Franco-American Week, celebrating the community’s contributions to
Lowell.
The honor has
been awarded since 1975 to an individual who has demonstrated integrity, high
moral standards and dedication toward the fostering of Franco-American culture,
heritage, and the French language. In addition, the city of Lowell presented
him with a special citation, signed by Mayor James L. Milinazzo, recognizing
his being named the 2011 Franco- American of the Year, and citing his
dedication and hard work as well as outstanding contributions to the community.
Notre-Dame-du-Cap - “Doctor of Souls”: Fr. Jean Monbourquette
An Oblate who
wanted to be known as the “Doctor of Souls,” Fr. Jean MONBOURQUETTE, died in
Ottawa on August 28 at the age of 77.
Fr.
Monbourquette was a best-selling author and a Saint Paul University professor. A
priest since 1958 and a Jungian psychologist, he was the author of numerous
books and co-author of many journal articles. His books sold extremely well in
Canada and abroad. His best-known work, How
to Love Again: Moving from Grief to Growth, explored the grieving process.
Since it was first published in the early 1990’s, it has sold over one million
copies in Canada and around the world. According to his publisher, Novalis, that book continues to appear
on the bestseller lists in Quebec bookstores. Today, his books are available in
twelve languages on four continents.
Throughout his
career, Jean Monbourquette dealt with the most sensitive and vital questions,
responding to real and universal issues: grief, of course; forgiveness; the search
for meaning ; male violence; death; self-esteem; and his final work, Excusez-moi je suis en deuil[Excuse me, I’m grieving].
As a priest who
was also a therapist, Jean Monbourquette developed a unique and original
approach where healing was achieved through both the psyche and spirituality.
This approach is widely known today, but 25 years ago it was viewed with much
skepticism. In this sense, Jean Monbourquette was a pioneer who made a major
contribution to the evolution of attitudes in a society that was suspicious of
the spiritual. He knew this and he was rightfully proud of it.
Jean
Monbourquettehad serious health problems over the last dozen years. But
he always bounced back, and always with new writing projects and presentations
in mind. (Thanks to St. Paul University,
Ottawa)
