Mary Ellen Holland, Associate
“The Lord has given me ears to hear, to listen like a disciple.” Is. 50:5
Mary Ellen Holland, wife of Basil (deceased ten years ago), mother of Christine,
Matthew and Melissa and grandmother of four children, is a faith-filled, wise and
practical woman who has a great sense of humour.
She, along with 6 other women, made her initial commitment as an SNJM Associate on
December 8, 1984 in the Motherhouse chapel in Outremont. “Being an Associate gives
meaning to what I do.” Mary Ellen has a strong connection with Mother Marie-Rose and
her mission of education in the Faith, a ministry that she does in a myriad of ways,
connected by a common thread in which the community is very important.
Since her early thirties, Mary Ellen has been involved in various ministries at Saint
Ignatius of Loyola Parish in the Notre Dame-de Grâce area of Montreal: lector,
communion distributor, member of the pastoral council, minister of hospitality, the
Renew Program in the late 1980’s which introduced groups to faith-sharing and putting
the Gospel message into action, St. Vincent de Paul society, as well as welcoming and
supporting refugees as they integrated into our society.
She is currently a minister of hospitality at the 9:00 Sunday Eucharist and oversees the
home-schooling part of the Faith First Religious Education Program. She is readily
available to listen to the parents. She continues to lead a faith-sharing group every two
weeks. Mary Ellen describes herself as a behind-the-scenes type of person
During the past 5 years, Mary Ellen and three other Associates have been meeting
regularly with Sister Helen Kilimnik. She refers to these gatherings as “tapping into the
wisdom of the age.” They pray, share their stories and discuss material prepared by
Sister Helen, on topics that deal with women and society in general such as: embryonic
implants, sperm donation, changes in society and the impact on family and the inherent
dangers.
Mary Ellen has been involved for many years at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre in many
capacities as a volunteer at the reception desk, research for Father John Wickham SJ
when he was writing his book “The Real Presence of the Future Kingdom”. She
composed and narrated the history of the Ignatian Spirituality Centre for a DVD photo
presentation during the 30th Anniversary of the Centre in Montreal in September 2006,
Mary Ellen is also a spiritual director and supervisor of several students in the formation
programs at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre: the Prayer Companion Program (teaching
people to pray with Scripture and to review their experience.), the Spiritual Exercises of
St. Ignatius and On-going spiritual direction (for those who already have a committed
prayer life and want to deepen their relationship with God.
She is periodically invited to be one of the retreat directors for the MDR (Montreal
Directed Retreat,) weekends, which are held either at Villa Marguerite or the Cistercian
Monastery in Rougemont.
Her life, deeply rooted in Christ, is committed to her family, her Parish and her ministry
of spiritual direction and supervision. We are blessed to have her as an Associate of the
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary.
Website: www.ignatiancentremtl.ca