Sister Claire Ménard
Claire-du-Crucifix
entered Eternal Life on October 4, 2010
at age 74 years
in religious life 51 years
+ 2933
1894
Live your daily life fully,
God is forever calling!
The Lorenzo Ménard household is rejoicing on this November 17 in 1935. His spouse, Delisca Myre has given birth to a healthy little girl, the sixth of the family. Christened on the same day at the St. Alphonse parish in Hawkesbury, she is given the names of Marie Emma Claire.
In a home filled with Christian faith and love, life is peaceful and filled with love. The father, a carpenter-architect, must work hard to make ends meet during the depression of the early 1930s. The mother also works hard at developing qualities of the heart in her children, and sees to their education. Soon, a seventh child will complete the family.
For the energetic and joyful little Claire the time has finally come to go to school. How happy she was to meet little friends and learn so many things at the Sacred Heart Academy.
Much too soon, this 7 year old child must experience the loss of her beloved mother who died much too early in life. The courageous father and the oldest daughter assume the care of the family. It was also at this time that the charming young daughter was seriously preparing to receive the sacraments of Penance, Holy Communion and Confirmation, but the absence of her mother was deeply felt at this time when she would have needed to share her thoughts with her. Soon after, the family goes through another difficult period as the youngest son, Maurice, is killed by a truck that went out of control, jumped the curb and hit the child who was playing on the sidewalk. Young Claire is deeply affected by the loss of her beloved brother and regular playmate.
Her studies at the Secondary School in Hawkesbury reveal a very intelligent and studious young girl, and also keep her in contact with the Grey Nuns of the Cross. Very young, Claire had an attraction for religious life; while studying at the Normal School of the University of Ottawa, the call becomes very precise; she will be a missionary in Africa. After one year of teaching in her own hometown, she enters the novitiate of the Grey Nuns of the Cross on August 1, 1957 and takes her first vows in 1959 under the name of Sister Claire-du-Crucifix.
Her professional life begins at the École Genest in Ottawa where, for three years, she forms the hearts and spirit of very young students. Then, her dream becomes reality. On August 7, 1962, the day following her Profession of perpetual vows, she leaves for Malawi-Zambia in Central Africa where she will spend 17 years. To begin with, she makes it a duty to learn the language, which is Chichewa. Her first appointment is that of Principal of the Elementary School in Ludzi (Malawi). In 1968 she returns to Canada to follow the program in Missiology at the University of Ottawa. Between 1969-1974, she teaches in Ludzi (Malawi), then in Kasiya (Zambia) where she gives the Commercial courses. Finally, it is in Chipata (Zambia) at the St. Monica Boarding School that she dispenses her knowledge to the 500 students.
Returning to Canada in 1974, she is given the opportunity to follow a year of spiritual renewal. This was followed by two years of teaching at the Notre-Dame College in Sudbury, Ontario, and 5 years with her little “cream puffs” in Carlsbad Springs. During this period, precisely, on September 16, 1980, a horrible event strikes this close-knit family. Sister Claire is advised that her brother, who had a restaurant in Hawkesbury, was assassinated during the night, in his restaurant. Fortunately, Divine Providence had permitted that she was present to be with and comfort her family during this very difficult period…and until her death, she prayed for the conversion of the murderer.
In 1982, she returns to Africa, at the St. Monica School where, for 2 years she will be Superior and Bookkeeper for the convent. During the next 3 years, she will be Secretary at the White Fathers Seminary in Kachebere, Malawi. One of the Sisters who worked with Sister Claire in Africa said that she always aimed at perfection in her work. She never expressed fatigue or calculated the hours put in; she made herself available when needed. She loved her students and the people in general, and was also loved in return.
The same traits of her personality are equally seen in Canada. Proud of her Congregation and proud to be one of its members, she lives her commitment with enthusiasm and fidelity. Her companions enjoy her jovial presence, her cascading laugh, and her interesting conversations. Very intelligent, she quickly adapted to all the new technology, and she was happy to share that knowledge. She was very sensitive to the least bit of kindness on her behalf, but could also be deeply hurt by small things.
In 1987, she definitely returns to Canada. Her talents are put to good use, serving the Congregation in the General Secretariat for 11 years. Simultaneously, she becomes the first Director of the Associates of the Sacred Heart Province. She will responsible for the secretariat during the General Chapters of 1992 and 1998. In 1998, she is named secretary and counsellor for the Notre-Dame Province in Hull.
Sister Claire was always very close to her family, as was her family toward her. Her annual visit always coincides with her oldest sister’s birthday, for Cécile always remained her “petite mère” (little mother).
Sister Claire considers herself a privileged daughter of Mother Bruyère when, in 1989, she is chosen to act as vice-notary of the Diocesan tribunal for the beatification of Mother Bruyère. For her, this experience was a spiritual booster that made her want to give more of herself to the service of the Church and the Congregation. This will lead her to her ultimate obedience, that of working at the Centre for the Cause of Beatification of Elisabeth Bruyère, responsible for correspondence, research, printing of the quarterly Echoes, in fact, a constant contact with the heart of her Mother.
Sister Claire’s spiritual life is based on one solid conviction: LIVE EVERY DAY TO ITS FULLEST for it is planned by God himself for her. Her personal notes are filled with allusions to her desire to remain close to her God, constantly listening to His wishes. Her spirituality is the foundation of her prayer, especially the daily Mass, but also explains her desire for perfection in her work and the quality of her relationship with others.
Shortly after she became ill, the fatal verdict was upon her; cancer had begun its destructive work. Valiantly, Sister went through the treatments and their side-effects. While in the infirmary, she also goes through the loss of the two brothers she had left. Her last weeks on earth were a period of extreme weakness, but she remained perfectly lucid and well aware that the end was near.
On the eve of her death, she reached for the host being presented as if she were seizing the Lord that was coming to her. On Monday, October 4, after about an hour of semi-coma, she left this earth to go the Lord where she would begin to live her ETERNAL LIFE.
Obituary Notice