On March 5, a group of monks of the Grace Mercy Order (GMO), one of the 22 affiliates of the Fraternity-International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), was warmly received by AnnMarie Marcolin, Director of the Mustard Seed Program of the Fontbonne Ministries – Sisters of St. Joseph of Toronto.
Since their foundation in France in 1648, the Sisters of St. Joseph have offered food, shelter, and companionship to those in need.
Sister Delphine Fontbonne and three other Sisters arrived in Toronto in 1851 and maintain this legacy of compassion.
AnnMarie presented the activities, mission, and values of the Fontbonne Ministries followed by the monks’ presentation of both the GMO and the Humanitarian Fraternity (FIHF) mission, operation, and services, as well as their future foundation in Canada.
Also present was Chef Elizabeth, who supports AnnMarie at “Mustard Seed”, which offers a welcoming environment and a safe space for socialization, creativity, well-being, spiritual enrichment, access to food and the development of life skills. Sealing, for now, and promoting this happy encounter and communion of values, Liza Schott, Property Administrator at Crestview Group of Companies, and a volunteer of the Mustard Seed program, and a long-time friend of one of the Humanitarian Fraternity (FIHF) collaborators, who lived in Brazil in the city where the GMO and thus, the Humanitarian Fraternity (FFHI) headquarters is located, on an internship with a renowned Brazilian artist, Elisa Lobo, who has also had her artwork exhibited in Toronto who has trained and employs women from poor communities, from whom Liza learned a very demanding technique in record time to Elisa’s amazement.
Very grateful to Liza and her partner John De Freitas, for planting this seed and building this bridge between Brazil and Canada, the Fontbonne Ministries, the GMO and the Humanitarian Fraternity (FIHF), and thus planting this seed for future and mutual cooperation.
We look forward to their visit to Brazil and remain united in Canada.
