It is with sadness that The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie announce the death of Sister Jacqueline O’Brien on February 25, 2019 at St. Joseph’s Motherhouse, North Bay, Ontario. Rest in Peace Sister Jackie!
During the THIRD week of February we listen to the heart of the world and hold the Sisters of St. Joseph and the people of BURKINA FASO in our prayer. Our 2018 stats indicated that 19 sisters serve there from the Lyon Congregation France, Springfield U.S.A., and Aosta Italy.
This week we pray for the Sisters of St. Joseph and the people of Brazil. The Chambery CSJ’s completed a provincial Chapter in January, and we are mindful of the disaster of the mining dam collapse. Mining firm Vale (a Brazilian company) said it has moved 500 people living close to Gongo Soco dam in Barão de Cocais in Minas Gerais. A further 200 near Serra Azul dam in Itatiaiuçu were moved by ArcelorMittal, which runs both dams with Vale. They are used to store waste from mining. It follows the collapse last month of another Vale-run dam, leaving over 150 people dead and almost 200 missing. Residents have been moved into temporary accommodation. Vale said Brazil's National Mining Agency (ANM) had ordered the evacuations as a precaution after it was discovered that a certificate guaranteeing stable conditions had not been issued for Gongo Soco dam.
Beginning February 4, 2019 we listen to the heart of the world and hold the Sisters of St. Joseph and the people of BOLIVIA in our prayer. We also share a few photos of the ministry of The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie in Bolivia.