JPIC Newsletter June 2023

Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Newsletter

Sr. Barbara Spears completes nearly a Decade of Ministry at UNANIMA

It is with great gratitude that the Congregational Leadership Team gives thanks to Sr. Barbara Spears, for her nine years as the NGO representative and Board member of UNANIMA International! She has given in full measure, traveling monthly to participate in United Nations (UN) activities and to participate in the gatherings of the Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN. During Barbara’s service and leadership on the Board of Directors of UNANIMA, a new and significant program on Family Homelessness, Displacement and Trauma was not only initiated, but also made a major contribution to the UN.

During Sr. Barbara’s tenure with UNANIMA, she developed a relationship with the nonprofit organization Water with Blessings, receiving training on bringing potable water to women without access to clean water. She was inspired to begin the SNJM Water Project and train women in Lesotho and Brazil on how to use a filtration system to provide clean water to families and the surrounding community.

Through the Congregational Justice and Peace Network, Sr. Barbara always worked to educate, advocate and promote justice, peace and the integrity of creation rooted in our SNJM corporate stands.

We invite you to personally express your appreciation to Sr. Barbara for almost a decade of ministry on behalf of the congregation!

UNANIMA International Woman of Courage Recipient Mary McAleese (former Ireland president) with (l-r) Srs. Ann Marie Quinn, pbvm, Jean Quinn, DW and Barbara Spears, snjm. ©Presentation Sisters North East Ireland, 2019 https://presentationsistersne.ie/women-of-courage/

Hanane Hakkou to Take on New Role as SNJM Board Representative at UNANIMA International

Hanane Hakkou has been appointed by the Congregational Leadership Team to serve as the new SNJM Board Representative on the UNANIMA International Board of Directors. Hanane will be filling the board position held by Sr. Barbara Spears for the last nine years. Hanane currently works at the SNJM General Administration offices in Longueuil, serving in the role of Comptroller and Finance Manager. She has been with the General Administration for ten years. She also serves on both the Congregational and Quebec Province’s Justice, Peace and Integrity

World Refugee Day

This week, the United Nations celebrated World Refugee Day on June 20th. As we take time to reflect on these statistics, provided by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), let us renew our commitment to our SNJM Corporate Stand on Immigrants and Refugees.

of Creation Committees (JPIC.) In 2019, Hanane represented SNJMs at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.

Hanane is a native of Morocco and is multilingual, fluently speaking French, English, and Arabic. She lives in Longueuil with her husband Mustafa and their two children, Ziyad and Dounya, who are both studying at university.

Hanane brings her commitment to justice and the SNJM corporate stands, and her passion for empowering women and children to all she does. She shared that she is honored and excited to represent the SNJMs on the Board of UNANIMA International. She will attend her first board meeting in New York City in September.