“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15

Welcome to a two-part series with two powerful stories. This week we will look at how there is more pain around us than we realize and that this should sensitize our perspective as we go about our day with others. Next week we will think about how there is more love around us than we might realize.

The following story comes from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. When I read it in my 20s this story dramatically shifted my sensitivity to the strangers around me. It made me realize that people around me may be experiencing a lot more pain than I can imagine and my response to others matters more than I realize.

“I remember a mini-paradigm shift I experienced one Sunday morning on a subway in New York. People were sitting quietly — some reading newspapers, some lost in thought, some resting with their eyes closed. It was a calm, peaceful scene.

When people hear the word supervision, they often think of schedules, performance reviews, or workplace management. But in counselling and support services, there is another kind of supervision that plays a vital role behind the scenes: clinical supervision.

According to insights shared by Agape House clinical supervisor, Andrea Berg, clinical supervision is a regular check-in where staff can talk about their work, share their own needs, and request additional tools or support. It is a safe, supportive space where staff can reflect, ask questions, and continue learning as they navigate complex and meaningful work.

Unlike regular workplace supervision, which often focuses on tasks, attendance, scheduling, or performance, clinical supervision focuses on the care being provided to clients. It explores relationships, emotions, client goals, patterns, and any safety or ethical concerns that may arise. In short, it is less about managing work and more about supporting thoughtful, compassionate, and effective care.

This process is especially important when working in fields that support individuals impacted by trauma and violence.

The re-opening of golf courses this month got me thinking about the Steinbach Fly-In and the important role it’s played in our family’s life.

My husband took up golfing after landing a summer job on the maintenance crew of a Winnipeg course during his university years. Just two days after our wedding, he was assigned to cut the greens at 5 a.m. I rode along on the mower with him. Very romantic! One of the perks of his job was free golf rounds. He bought a second-hand set of clubs and using abandoned balls he’d find on the course, started playing the game. He quickly learned to love it almost as much as he loved me.

So when we moved to Steinbach, several years later, he immediately purchased a membership at the Fly-In. When our sons were born, one of his first acts of fatherhood was to buy them each a membership too.

I was a more reluctant recruit to the game. My husband provided plenty of well-intentioned tips when I first gave golf a try. I wasn’t always open to his advice since my reasons for golfing were slightly different than his. I was there primarily to enjoy nature, spend time with others and get exercise while he was more concerned about the arc of my swing and my attention to course etiquette.

A Dufresne woman who hoarded dozens of animals but “played a lesser role” in their care was handed a fine and animal ownership ban in a Steinbach court room.

Elizabeth Tschritter, 40, pleaded guilty to violating Manitoba’s Animal Care Act in a Steinbach courtroom on May 15. The violations don’t count as criminal charges.

The Carillon previously covered Tschritter’s husband and co-accused Albert Tschritter’s March 20 sentencing hearing. McGill, who was also the assigned Crown prosecutor for that case, read out the facts for the case.

Provincial officials received a call on June 1, 2023 about dogs kept in poor conditions on a Dawson Road property, he told the court at the time.

With session quickly coming to a close, it has been a very busy past few weeks, with much of my time spent at the legislative building in the House with my colleagues. With that being said, I have still found some time in between to be out and about in the Dawson Trail community.

Earlier this month, I hosted another Coffee with Bob. This time, the event was held at the Landmark Bistro. I always really enjoy putting on these events, and this time was no exception. Thank you to everyone who came out; it was really lovely chatting with you all. I look forward to hosting more of these events throughout the year, so stay tuned for more information. I hope to see you all at the next one!

I also had the opportunity to visit Ecole Pointe-des-Chenes school and speak to Madame Gauthier’s Grade 11 history class. The students asked some really great questions about being a member of the legislative assembly, what partisan ideology does within the legislative building, and the everyday processes involved in legislative business. It was great spending the afternoon with these students, and I’m glad I could help encourage them to learn more and become active participants in politics.

In addition to the end of session, May also brings about Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is an extremely important topic and one that is very close to my heart. During Mental Health Week, which took place from May 4 to 10 this year, I had the opportunity to deliver a statement in the House regarding the importance of mental health awareness and accessible supports and resources for individuals and families facing mental health struggles. It’s a fantastic step in the right direction that we have specific weeks and months dedicated to mental health awareness, but as Ryan Ward from Cowboys Mud Racing said, “Mental health doesn’t take a break, so why should I?” Cowboys Mud Racing is a grassroots initiative that was started by Ward to support men’s mental health through connection, adventure, and community. They run off-road ATV events that give men a space to ride, talk, and support one another without judgment. I am glad to have had the pleasure of meeting Ryan and the rest of the Cowboys Mud Racing team, and to thank them for their tremendous work in helping break down the stigma around mental health, and reminding us that it is a daily battle that affects everyone.

A southeastern Manitoba man, who was accused of sexual assaulting his 11-year-old daughter, was found not guilty on all charges after his trial ended last year.

Provincial court Judge Michael Clark delivered his decision to acquit the man on Jan. 6 in a Winnipeg courtroom. The Carillon can’t identify the victim or the accused due to a publication ban.

The three-day trial was held in 2025 from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 in a Steinbach courtroom. The 38-year-old man pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and sexual interference charges dating from March 7, 2020 to Nov. 1, 2022.

Both the 11-year-old daughter and the father testified during the trial as the only witnesses. He was accused of touching his daughter’s vagina multiple times while they both were clothed and sleeping in bed. When testifying, the daughter said her father’s hand would hover over her vagina and then rest on it while they cuddled in bed. She said the alleged incidents first happened when she was six or seven years old and the last incident happened when she was seven or eight.