Rocheleau, Janine | Sisters of the Holy Names

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Janine Rocheleau, SNJM

I was born the youngest of three girls to Lucia and Eugene Rocheleau in River Canard, Ontario. My encounter with the Sisters of the Holy Names began at a very early age since my great-aunt, Sister Ernestine, was a member of the SNJM Community. She was a very holy woman who genuinely loved God and was extremely peaceful, gentle and happy. I was very fond of her.

SNJMs taught me at our parish school, St. Joseph’s, as well as at St. Mary’s Academy in high school. They taught me piano from age eight and supported my playing Hawaiian guitar and Spanish guitar. The education they offered was joyful exploration and celebration of life aimed at development of the full potential of the human person. I was inspired by their genuine love of God, people and life.

My life plan had always been to marry and have a big family. However, in my senior year as I discerned my future I became drawn to religious life as a Holy Names Sister. In 1964 I entered at our Motherhouse in Montreal, Quebec. The rest is history!

I attained a BA in Social Sciences at the University of Windsor, graduating from Windsor Teacher’s College. My experience with SNJM Sister-teachers influenced me to incorporate music, art, spirit and celebration in all aspects of growth and development. Eighteen years of teaching grade 5, 6, 7 or 8 was a delightful gift.

My next ministry was in Amherstburg, Ontario, where I taught and answered the need to start a Youth Centre, the House of Shalom. I was a team member for youth retreats called COR (Christ in Others) in Windsor and Essex County and also served as music director of Faith Unlimited, a high school youth choir. Asked by the Community, I left teaching to do vocation ministry. I gladly accepted and did that for nine years, developing a series of weekend retreats for young adults.

After getting an MA in Pastoral Ministry at St. Joseph College in Hartford, Connecticut, I worked at Chelsea House which offered day retreats for mid-life people and seniors and weekend retreats for young adults. While there I refined my skills in clay sculpting and promoted pottery as an artistic and spiritual expression. All these experiences truly gave witness that faith can transform our lives.

I was also asked by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to chair the Spirituality Committee for the Windsor-Essex Central Council as well as the Ontario Region Spirituality Committee. I willingly accepted, encouraging spiritual growth, awareness of justice issues and work for systemic change. I did this until returning to Vocation Ministry as part of the Vocation Team for the Diocese of London. It was a joy to highlight the Christian calls to single life and marriage as well as to priesthood and religious life as a Sister or Brother in community. I also worked with the Redemptorist Community offering discernment retreats. Those were extremely meaningful and enriching ministries.

I also delighted in spending a summer on a SNJM team for “A Call to Vietnam.” What a beautiful experience it was to live with the Sisters of the Lovers of the Holy Cross, to teach them English and to learn about their cultural riches and needs.

Another aspect of ministry I pursued was massage therapy at the Windsor Institute of Health, Science and Technology, incorporating it into my spiritual accompaniment of clients. I also volunteered at Hospice of Windsor, where I took therapeutic touch courses becoming a qualified member of the Therapeutic Touch Network of Ontario.

My present great grace was the call to co-direct Marie-Rose Place, a retreat house named in honor of Blessed Marie-Rose’s 200th anniversary. For information, about Marie-Rose Place, visit www.marieroseplace.com. I continue as its full-time director using the gifts, time and strength I have to do what I can, always thankful that all is gift!

I am infinitely grateful to God, my family, friends and SNJM Sisters and Associates for the joy of their presence and support on my life journey and 60th Jubilee!