Always known as associated to the education of faith, and education, the Ursulines pursue their mission in Japan, Peru and the Philippines where they assume their work as directors, teachers and pastoral in-charge.
In the Philippines they work mostly in parishes and at their Mary of the Incarnation Retreat Centre built at the request of Bishop Alo, for his diocesans’ spiritual advancement.
In Québec, on account of the social turmoil since 1960, the Ursuline schools needed to share the collaboration of lay colleagues with whom they had taught for many years. In order to pass on their pedagogy and aducation method to their colleagues, a project, called laity-Ursuline-Corporation, was adopted by both parties. The Ursulines have passed on the torch they have always upheld in faith, hope and love and at the same time they do continue to accompany these educators by formation-animation weekends. Our schools are called: Ursuline Tradition Schools.
Ursuline Schools or Ursuline Tradition Schools
Québec and Loretteville Schools Québec Merici College Trois-Rivières Laflèche College Trois-Rivières Mary of the Incarnation College Sendai - Japan Hachinohe - Japan Lima-Peru Colegio Maria de la Incarnacion Iquitos Celegio de Nuestra Senora de Fatima Aucayo Colegio
It is appropriate to add that the Ursulines continue their education mission in offering services to the population: catechesis in the parishes, personal help for home works, refresher courses, psychological advice to young adults, French courses to immigrants, retreat activities, youth pastoral, etc.
Echoes from Japan
Sister Noëlla Gaudreault
On the 2nd and 3rd days of last August, happy events led me to share the yearly meeting of the Gautreau of America. For many years I have been a registered member of this association, despite my absenteeism. How much I appreciated being part of my extended family-at-large! All those I met gave proof of our fraternity, dignity and joy, according to the words of the song composed by Fr. Jacques. With all of them, while visiting the Island of Orleans and Charlesbourg, I felt so proud of my ancestors and grateful to them for their courageous realizations.
The following lines wish to answer a question I am so often asked: ‘’What are you doing in Japan? Why Japan? Why do you live there? ‘’ Ever since 1959, I have been a missionary in Japan. Briefly, I will give you the reason why I went and why I wish to stay.
Along with their culture, our ancestors brought faith to America, and this faith has nourrished me since my childhood. At the age of 20, I chose the path of life of the Ursuline community of Québec, whom I knew for having studied with the Ursulines in Roberval. Their lives dedicated to God and youth answered my heart’s desire. At the noviciate, the sister in charge of formation newly arrived from Japan, passed on her ardent missionary spirit: the wish to go where Jesus was less known and to collaborate in His message of love. This was my way of expressing my deep gratitude to God for the gift of faith He had bestowed on me, and nurtured in my family and local Church. In 2009, I celebrated my 50 years as missionary in Japan and its fire has never burned out. Many changes have occured in my life, according to the different responsibilities I have shouldered, all linked to our mission of education in schools.
Since my adopted country has a minority of Catholics (one out of 400 persons) the Catholic schools are considered by the Church as a privileged centre for evangelization, and also an environment which recognize Jesus-Christ, ‘’ the way, the truth and the life ‘’ (Jn. 14 : 6) for every human being. Of course we depend on the Japanese Department of Education concerning the regular school programs, but the private school is entirely free to work according to its own convictions. All religions are welcome. We clearly display our school as a Catholic one, aiming at an education responding to the Catholic vision of the person and the world. All who come to our schools are fully aware of it, and choose it. Indeed, we encounter openness. No one can resist Jesus’ attraction when one really meets Him. However, it is another question to become a Christian, and the gap stays wide open.
How can we realize our aim in such a context? Living up to our values, which are universal, we invest in the formation of our staff, and prepare a religious program adapted to the age of our students: An aired morning prayer, shared all together, one hour religion course a week in every class, focusing on Jesus’ message which assures them a strong foundation for their lives.
Do we succeed? This is THE question! A group of researchers from a Catholic Jesuit University tried to measure the impact of our evangelisation. Here is their conclusion: a) about 10% of the students from Catholic schools choose to become Jesus’ disciples later on: b) 80% of the graduates may not reach baptism, but find in Jesus’ message principles to guide their lives:. c) maybe 10% keep impervious to Jesus’ message. A follow up of our graduates tells us that, every year, some of them write us to let us know about their definitive commitment to the Catholic faith, from the seed received at school. This fact, highly encouraging, keeps us sowing. We also have sufficient proofs that our sowing is not done in vain. Nevertheless, we must think a longer range, and the harvest does not belong to us.
I am not teaching presently, but collaborating in theadministration of two schools. One, a kindergarten of 80 students, 3,4,and 5 years old, and a co-education high school of 450 students, (grades 10,11, and 12 ). This year, only five of our students are Catholics. What about the staff? A slight minority is Christian. Sometimes I come to consider that all our collegues are ‘’ non-baptised disciples of Jesus‘’!!! In the International Ursuline Family atmosphere, I am happy to share and promote an environment leading to Jesus-Christ, ‘’ the road, and the truth, and the light ‘’ for each one of us on earth.
Farewell, until we meet again. If you are eager to know more about us, here is the address of our Web Site:www.ursula.ac.jp
Always known as associated to the education of faith, and education, the Ursulines pursue their mission in Japan, Peru and the Philippines where they assume their work as directors, teachers and pastoral in-charge.
Along with their culture, our ancestors brought faith to America, and this faith has nourrished me since my childhood. At the age of 20, I chose the path of life of the Ursuline community of Québec, whom I knew for having studied with the Ursulines in Roberval. Their lives dedicated to God and youth answered my heart’s desire. At the noviciate, the sister in charge of formation newly arrived from Japan, passed on her ardent missionary spirit: the wish to go where Jesus was less known and to collaborate in His message of love. This was my way of expressing my deep gratitude to God for the gift of faith He had bestowed on me, and nurtured in my family and local Church. In 2009, I celebrated my 50 years as missionary in Japan and its fire has never burned out. Many changes have occured in my life, according to the different responsibilities I have shouldered, all linked to our mission of education in schools.
Catholic schools are considered by the Church as a privileged centre for evangelization, and also an environment which recognize Jesus-Christ, ‘’ the way, the truth and the life ‘’ (Jn. 14 : 6) for every human being. Of course we depend on the Japanese Department of Education concerning the regular school programs, but the private school is entirely free to work according to its own convictions. All religions are welcome. We clearly display our school as a Catholic one, aiming at an education responding to the Catholic vision of the person and the world. All who come to our schools are fully aware of it, and choose it. Indeed, we encounter openness. No one can resist Jesus’ attraction when one really meets Him. However, it is another question to become a Christian, and the gap stays wide open.
I am not teaching presently, but collaborating in theadministration of two schools. One, a kindergarten of 80 students, 3,4,and 5 years old, and a co-education high school of 450 students, (grades 10,11, and 12 ). This year, only five of our students are Catholics. What about the staff? A slight minority is Christian. Sometimes I come to consider that all our collegues are ‘’ non-baptised disciples of Jesus‘’!!! In the International Ursuline Family atmosphere, I am happy to share and promote an environment leading to Jesus-Christ, ‘’ the road, and the truth, and the light ‘’ for each one of us on earth.
