Printed in the SSA Newsletter, March 2010
Mar. 10, 2010
By Stefan Jonsson
Programs & Marketing Coordinator
Queenswood
After a relaxing Christmas break, the Queenswood staff came back to work in January with a full schedule of programs and initiatives that really speak to the living SSA, legacy of Queenswood. This legacy – to embody the mission and spirit of the Sisters who founded Queenswood – is always on our hearts and minds. And so it was fitting that our first retreat of the year was a partnership with Sister Joyce Harris, ssa, and the St. Vincent de Paul women’s outreach program for which she works.
This program, which was generously funded by The Esther’s Dream Fund, was designed for marginalized women who are recovering from experiences of homelessness, poverty, prostitution, and various forms of abuse. Edwina Gateley, a theologian and activist, led the retreat, offering them insight, guidance, and support. The women also had the opportunity to learn some artwork and yoga, and were treated to dips in the therapeutic pool, and a Reiki and massage session. The retreat was a beautiful gift and a valuable, empowering tool for their healing journeys.
But January was also a very heartbreaking month after the earthquake in Haiti. Our thoughts were constantly with the Sisters of Saint Ann who were injured and left homeless by the disaster. We knew we needed to do something for the Sisters who are our extended family, and Phillip Le Ross, who led the Christmas concert at Queenswood in December, suggested we hold a benefit concert. The idea quickly took off and before we knew it, we had 4 other well-known musical artists eager to take part. UVic, the Times Colonist, Monday Magazine and other media were very helpful in getting the word out, and the Chapel was full for the concert. To date, we’ve received $8,549.47 in donations toward the Sisters’ rebuilding efforts in Haiti, approximately $8,000 of which was matched by the federal government.
As a final note, last week Queenswood hosted the annual South Island Training Institute (SITI) Conference for healthcare and social-service providers. The theme for this year was “Mental Health and Wellness”. We were honoured to be involved with every aspect of the conference planning, including hosting delegates, contributing to the workshops, and offering wellness classes. Sister Dorothy Bob, ssa, opened the conference with a First Nations blessing and also led a sold-out workshop on the Medicine Wheel.
Queenswood is really developing an impressive reputation for offering stellar service and support for men and women who serve others through healthcare, education, and social services. In fact, we’ve even just agreed to host another similar conference in November. But in a lot of ways, we have to admit that that’s not really all that surprising, considering the inspiring legacy that we strive to live by every day.
