Rossbrook House workers receive Order of Canada
Two women who spent four decades helping youth in Winnipeg have received Canada’s highest civilian honour.
Sisters Margaret Hughes and Bernadette O’Reilly, both members of the Sisters of Sion, were made Members of the Order of Canada during a special ceremony in Saskatoon Tuesday evening. The event was attended by Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor Russell Mirasty.
The pair were recognized for their 40 years of service with Rossbrook House in Winnipeg.
“I receive it humbly, celebrating the number of courageous children who gave school another chance at Wi Wabigooni Alternative Program, which translates as 'The Flower' and just beginning to open,” Hughes said during the ceremony, which was streamed on YouTube.
“It was my privilege and joy to walk with them, to share their joy in learning, their laughter, their humour and their love of life.”
“To be receiving this award is an amazing experience, and one that Margaret and I never imagined,” O’Reilly said. “It’s so clear to us that the youth and the young adults at Rossbrook House share deeply in this recognition.
“The success of Rossbrook House belongs to the youth and the staff who created and continue to create a place of community, of safety, of learning, of growth, and of very deep friendships.”
O’Reilly and Hughes arrived at Rossbrook House in 1979, to create a community in Winnipeg’s inner city. Rossbrook House was created by Sister Geraldine MacNamara as a drop-in centre for youth in Winnipeg. It includes education programs, Indigenous teachings, a young mother’s group, and other programs. The pair moved to Saskatchewan in 2019.
“The motto was ‘No child who doesn't want to be alone ever should have to be,’” said Paul Bavington, the brother of Bernadette O’Reilly, during a phone interview.
During their time at Rossbrook, Hughes helped start the elementary alternative education program while O’Reilly started a program for high schoolers.
“They were instrumental in keeping Rossbrook House going and expanding and establishing their school offerings,” Bavington said, adding that children who have graduated through the programs are now helping run the house.
Bavington said he is proud of his sister and Hughes for their work and the honour.
“I remember I was at a celebration when my sister celebrated the 25th anniversary of entering the order. One of the celebrants there said, ‘If it weren't for Bernie and Margaret, I would not be alive today,’” he said. “So that's the kind of impact that they had in the community.”
The pair, who were appointed to the Order in June 2022, received their awards in Saskatoon rather than Ottawa as they were unable to travel.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Boeing is on the verge of launching astronauts aboard new capsule, the newest entry to space travel
It’s the first flight of Boeing’s Starliner capsule with a crew on board, a pair of NASA pilots who will check out the spacecraft during the test drive and a weeklong stay at the space station.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.