Rockin’ like only nuns can
Sisters of the Holy Rock seek new members, including men
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/01/2020 (2419 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
If you’ve wanted to sing in a choir, now’s the time to get into the habit.
The Sisters of the Holy Rock, a non-profit entertainment group that helps Manitoba organizations raise money, is looking for new members.
Dressed in traditional nun habits, the group’s performances last 90 minutes and are loaded with harmony, rhythm, choreography, humour and energy.
Lynn Ohlson joined the choir 10 years ago after seeing a performance.
“They looked so much like a family and they were having so much fun together,” Ohlson says. “That translated to the audience. You just walked away feeling good.”
Lori Nelson had a similar experience.
“The first time I saw the Sisters in action, I turned to my husband and said, ‘I want to join that group,’” says Nelson, who is now in her 16th year with the choir.
“Everyone looked like they were having such a good time.”
The choir — which, contrary to its name, includes both women and men — has been around for more than 25 years.
Carole Stone put the group together in the fall of 1992 to provide entertainment for a fundraising dinner at Grey Street United Church, where she was the choir director at the time.
Stone modelled the group’s performance after the movie Sister Act, which hit theatres earlier that year.
In the comedy musical, actress Whoopi Goldberg plays a lounge singer in a witness protection program whose placement is at a convent. She goes on to revitalize the convent’s choir.
“We went, we did our little schtick and we got another booking that night,” Stone recalls. “It just mushroomed from there.”
What was supposed to be a one-off gig has turned into more than 500 concerts. In the process, the choir has entertained more than 200,000 people and helped numerous organizations raise in excess of $3 million.
All of the choir members, as well as the people who work on the choir’s support crew, are volunteers.
In exchange for their services, the choir asks for an honorarium.
After covering operating costs, the choir gives away the rest of the money it receives. The donation typically goes to a family in need who has a connection to a choir member.
One recent donation helped two parents take time off from work so they could spend time with their son, who has a brain tumour.
Performing with the choir, which an audience member once described as “talented and teasing, serious and silly, faithful and frolicking, holy and hilarious,” is a great stress-reliever, Ohlson says.
“You can’t be sad, stressed or worried when you’re singing,” she says. “It’s just so uplifting for your soul.”
Watching the audience enjoying themselves is the best part for Nelson.
“You see the smiles in the audience and the appreciation for what we’re doing,” she says.
Stone is trying to recruit men to join the choir. The only requirements are a love of music and the ability to carry a tune.
The group performs six months of the year: March to May and September to November.
Anyone interested in getting involved can visit sistersoftheholyrock.com for details.
“It’s the best volunteer job you’ll ever have,” Ohlson says.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.
The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba through our Religion in the News project. This reporting continues because readers like you step forward to fund it.
Donate now to support our reporting on religion.
Your donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Volunteer opportunities
● When disaster strikes, you can help, and we can show you how. Volunteer with the Red Cross today! Phone 1-844-818-2155, email volunteer@redcross.ca, or visit our website at redcross.ca/volunteer
● Youth Employment Services (Y.E.S. Manitoba Inc.) provides free employment services to youth ages 16 to 29. We provide a safe and supportive environment for youth to learn new skills, develop confidence and feel supported during their transition to employment. We are currently recruiting individuals for our Board of Directors, who is responsible for the overall leadership and direction of Y.E.S., developing its strategic plans and assisting in setting goals and objectives. Y.E.S. invites applications from qualified individuals from a wide variety of experience backgrounds, representing the diversity of Manitoba residents. If you are interested, please submit your resume, a cover letter indicating why you are interested in a Board Member position with YES, and a minimum of two references to work@yesmb.ca
● Be part of a fun, positive environment working with youth and horses helping youth unbridle their potential. Urban Stable is seeking volunteers (18 or over), available weekdays and have access to transportation to our facilities as Horse Handlers and Youth Assistants. For more information or to apply contact hayley@urbanstable.ca. We are also seeking 2-3 volunteers to join our Board of Directors with expertise in marketing, financial literacy, education, social work or psychology. For more info or to apply send a resume and brief letter of interest highlighting how you can contribute to the board to board@urbanstable.ca
● Calling All Accountants! Active Aging in Manitoba (AAIM) a non-profit organization is looking for a volunteer with experience in good financial management and reporting practices to join its Board of Directors and Executive Committee to fill a vacancy of Treasurer. To express interest email: jevanchuk@sogh.mb.ca or phone: 204-632-3947. Visit website at www.activeagingmb.ca
● Bishop Grandin Greenway Inc. is now recruiting for two new Board of Directors positions (Community Relations; Fund Development) as well as Community Volunteers (e.g. gardeners/arborists; historians; general maintenance; writers etc). Our ideal candidates enjoy sharing their skills to help our community appreciate urban green spaces. To apply or for more info www.bishopgrandingreenway.com
● Recreation Connections Manitoba Annual Conference, March 10-13, has been held for over 24 years. During that time, volunteers have played a key role in guaranteeing its success. Whether they assist in setting up the trade show and social events, or helping at the registration desk, the volunteers contribute in making our annual event a tremendous hit. Volunteers are warmly welcomed and encouraged to take part in activities and attend events. You will be able to network with individuals from the industry and connect with potential employers. To register please visit: https://rcm23.wildapricot.org/Volunteers/ or call 204-477-5180 ext. 225.
● Winnipeg School Division. The Adult EAL Program of the Winnipeg School Division is looking for classroom volunteers, to assist English as an Additional Language students. The Adult EAL Program is located at 275 Portage Avenue. Duties include work in an adult EAL classroom, assist a classroom teacher by working one-on-one or with small groups of students, helping students with classroom activities. Please contact Bushra ALRaimi to schedule an appointment: By email: balraimi@wsd1.org or by phone: 204-953-1070, ext. 8.
The Free Press is committed to covering faith in Manitoba through our Religion in the News project. This reporting continues because readers like you step forward to fund it.
Donate now to support our reporting on religion.
Your donation is eligible for a charitable tax receipt.
BECOME A FAITH JOURNALISM SUPPORTER
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. Read more about Aaron.
Every piece of reporting Aaron produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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The Free Press acknowledges the financial support it receives from members of the city’s faith community, which makes our coverage of religion possible.
