On June 19th, Réseau Compassion Network hosted the annual general meetings of our Network organizations and year-end banquet to thank outgoing Board Directors and welcome incoming Board Directors. As part of the celebrations, Daniel Lussier, CEO of Réseau Compassion Network, shared a few thoughts on the launch of Réseau Compassion Network’s 25th anniversary. His thoughts on the importance of this quarter century milestone are shared below in an excerpt from his speech.
“Reflecting on our history and our accomplishments, what strikes me is that we are still quite new. We’re still learning and finding our way in a much bigger story. A story that stretches back to the Grey Nuns and their presence in our community since 1844, and the presence of the Missionary Oblate Sisters of Saint-Boniface, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and the Sisters of St. Benedict…and to all our Network organizations that have a much longer history and story of serving in community than RCN.
The Grey Nuns have been serving Manitobans for 181 years. The Missionary Oblate Sisters of Saint-Boniface and the Sisters of St. Benedict’s have been working in Manitoba for over 120 years. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd, 114 years.
Then we look to our network organizations with most providing service to people 24 hours a day, seven days a week since their beginnings. St. Boniface Hospital has been serving our community for 154 years, Marymound for 114 years, St.Amant has operated for 94 years. Our friends in Ste. Rose-du-Lac have been caring for their community for over 86 years.
If you were to total up all the collective years of services from the Sisters to our Network organizations today, it totals over 1,300 years of dedication, compassion and hard work.
This is a significant footprint in our community, with so many years of service to others in support of their well-being, their flourishing, to allow people to reach their full potential, of teaching and research, of learning, and unlearning, of acknowledging Truth.
Imagine if you can, the stories of all those people: patients, residents, families, friends, employees and volunteers, over all that time. There have been moments of relief, of deep sorrow, of worry, of apprehension, of deep questioning, of joy, of gratitude. There have also been stories of healing, of hope, of recovery, of compassion. Thousands and thousands of people, and each one having their own unique story.
So much has happened over all those years and encounters in the service of people and today we hold all of that as we continue to move forward. Réseau Compassion Network is just 25 years into this story, among the youngest in this journey. We are the new ones to this movement. But we know we can make a difference. And we thank you all for saying yes to this mission, and to walking alongside us.”
•••
The 25th anniversary celebrations of Réseau Compassion Network have officially begun, including a travelling exhibition that will make the rounds of network organizations. There is also a special insert scheduled for La Liberté newspaper in the Fall, a commemorative printed booklet and a new website portal that explores the stories, the successes, the hard working devoted people and the organizations of the network that are leaders within their area of expertise and that every day provide support to the people who walk through their doors. Click here to access this virtual exhibit!