I Need Some Guidance

[savvy]

I just spent a month with the Monastic community of Jerusalem in Montreal. I loved it and have been invited for a longer stay for about three months, since the community does not want to rush things. Here's the issue though, I have to learn French. I want to take classes in Montreal, but need a place to stay while I take classes, because I would not be able to stay with the community during this time. I currently live in Ontario. My parents are not letting me go and live on my own in Montreal even though, I know I can manage. They are very overprotective. The only way that this would work is if I could find another religious community to live with that rents a room etc.

I just want your prayers and some guidance would help too.

[TheresaThoma]

I'll definitely be praying for you.
Is there maybe a local community college or rec center nearby you that would offer French classes? That might be a good place to start while you get things sorted out for going to Montreal.

[i<3franciscans]

Be assured of my prayers!

Have you tried Rosetta Stone? It worked for me.

[emmaberry101]

[quote name='savvy' timestamp='1349642368' post='2490995']
I just spent a month with the Monastic community of Jerusalem in Montreal. I loved it and have been invited for a longer stay for about three months, since the community does not want to rush things. Here's the issue though, I have to learn French. I want to take classes in Montreal, but need a place to stay while I take classes, because I would not be able to stay with the community during this time. I currently live in Ontario. My parents are not letting me go and live on my own in Montreal even though, I know I can manage. They are very overprotective. The only way that this would work is if I could find another religious community to live with that rents a room etc.

I just want your prayers and some guidance would help too.
[/quote]

If your future Superiors would be willing, you could ask them to contact any communities in the area. I know from my experience with the Missionaries of Charity that when a Superior speaks or makes a request to another Superior, more things happen than, say, if you just called the community yourself. So the Superiors in the Monastic community of Jerusalem could call other Montreal communities and explain the situation, and the communities may be more open to letting you stay if you come stamped with 'Superior approval.'

Praying!

[savvy]

Thanks for all the suggestions VSer's (if that is a word). I did take a class in French for beginners, but that is not enough. I have heard of Rosetta Stone but, it's expensive, since in Montreal you could take an entire course for $40. I think immersion is the best way to learn a language, since I do not have the opportunity to practise here.

The issue is the place to say. I do think asking them to contact other communities is a good idea. My Mum is also slowly opening up to the idea, if I can find a rental place that is close to the sisters and is within my budget. So I just have to keep praying! Thanks for the prayers too.

Edited October 8, 2012 by savvy

[Theresita Nerita]

[size=3][b]Résidence Maria Goretti [/b][color=#000000][font=Times New Roman](à quelques minutes de marche de l’[/font][/color][b]Université de Montréal[/b][color=#000000][font=Times New Roman])[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]3333, Chemin de la Côte-Ste-Catherine[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]Montréal, QC [/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]Téléphone: (514) 731-1161[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]Tarif: 40 ou 45 $ la nuitée sans le petit déjeuner (selon la dimension de la chambre; paiement en argent comptant seulement)[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]Autres informations: [/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]Possibilité d’hébergement à plus long terme : 280 ou 320 $ par mois[/font][/color][b] lorsque le séjour dure trois mois ou plus [/b][color=#000000][font=Times New Roman](selon la dimension de la chambre, femmes de 18-45 ans).[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Times New Roman]Possibilité d’utiliser une cuisine commune, mais aucun repas n’est servi sur place.[/font][/color]
[b]Ouvert aux femmes seulement.[/b][/size]

[size=4]The above basically is a listing for a "foyer religieuse." I stayed at one when studying abroad in Paris - my VERY overprotective parents were very happy with it. Basically it's nuns who run a "dorm" (breakfast included sometimes!) only for female students and young working women.
Advantages: Cheap! As it says above, $280-320/month if you stay for at least 3 months. And that's usually (in my experience) for a private room. Also these places are often in great safe neighborhoods in the city. (I didn't map this one yet)[/size]

[size=4]Another advantage is that you really learn French fast. You are literally immersed, because English-speakers generally don't know about these places.

The only disadvantage in my opinion is that there are often pretty strict rules and curfews. Like, you can't bring boys inside the residence, even your brother. Or an 11pm curfew. [/size]

[size=4]But hey, your parents will probably consider the curfew an advantage. And besides, it'll be good practice for religious life. [/size]

[savvy]

Theresita Nerita,

I did visit residence Maria Goretti when I was in Montreal. It's not run by nuns and is just nominally Catholic. Most places in Quebec have Catholic names. It is very safe however and very reasonable. My beef was that they do not have an actual kitchen or storage area, when I want to do my own cooking. Laundary costs are not included either. The waiting list is also long for 3 months or more. It's also not close to the sisters or the French classes. I can commute, but am still looking for something closer and one with a proper kitchen and a washer and dryer in the house. I am looking for a place for six months, so I do not want something I would not be comfortable with. My budget is within $500, maybe $600 if it covers all costs.

[savvy]

Okay it looks like Residence Maria Goretti is the only affordable place I can find right now. This is what I get for being too picky. God probably wants me here too, because its safe.

[Mary's Child]

Ill be praying for you. God does have a way of guiding us in the right direction and he can become quite persistant when you resist. I just recently experienced this going in was very scared and worried that things could go very wrong. God knows best it hasnt been easy but there have been so many blessings. God bless you