Jean-Paul Morin, a priest and Oblate of Mary Immaculate, served as a pastoral animator and social worker at the Collège de Rouyn-Noranda. Yet, Jean-Paul longed to be a chaplain in a correctional environment. His desire was to dedicate his life to a ministry serving the excluded and the marginalized.

A man with a big heart, full of faith and simplicity, he was a natural at welcoming others and paying attention to their needs. He treated everyone with respect and was deeply sensitive to those most in need. Jean-Paul had a way of making the people he encountered better. His availability was limitless; wherever a helping hand was needed, he was there. You never felt like you were inconveniencing him. And how often, during the night or on weekends, would he rush to help young people in distress who reached out to him! Jean-Paul, a truly positive individual, was also pragmatic. He had trust in people and easily saw the good and admirable qualities in those he assisted. His capacity for genuine friendship and open camaraderie was widely recognized.

Jean-Paul Morin carried out his mission with great love and generosity, as well as with recognized competence. His preference naturally leaned towards the most vulnerable and the most destitute. Faithful to his Oblate vocation, he was a true missionary to the poor. In 1980, the year of his death, some time before his fatal car accident, he had agreed to write exams to join the civil service and work full time as a chaplain. His sudden and premature departure left a great void, but he remains very much alive through the testimony of his very unique life. He became our spiritual mentor. The choice of the name "Jean-Paul Morin" to identify our Corporation is meaningful and entirely in line with our mission.