Canada
Feasting in Saint Jérôme
In order to highlight the incredible work the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa had accomplished in the diocese of Saint Jérôme, Québec Province, a gathering was held at the cathedral on November 14, 2010.
Some twenty Sisters were present, Sisters who had worked at Saint Jérôme, as well as members of the Provincial Council.
The Eucharist of thanksgiving and appreciation was presided by Bishop Donald Lapointe.
In his homily, the pastor, Father André Daoust, spoke highly of the witness of the Sisters whose presence was felt in the town of Saint Jérôme for 78 years. Here is an excerpt from his homily:
“From 1932 to 2010, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa who worked in Saint Jérôme witnessed to their love of Christ by living the Charism of compassion. Saint Paul speaks in today’s second reading of those believers who waited lazily for the return of Christ. That was not the case of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa.
In 1932, the Grey Nuns were approached for the foundation of d’Youville hospital and nursing home. For 41 years, the Sisters were responsible for the management, the administration, the nursing services and the education.
In 1970, the congregation was approached for the management and care of the elderly and the sick at Saint Jérôme Inn. For 25 years, the Sisters gave of themselves.
In 1994, Monsignor Valois approached the late Sister Lucille Gauvin to serve as coordinator at Our Lady of LaSalette parish in Bellefeuille. She was there for six years.
From 1991 to 2010, Lafontaine Academy invited the congregation to take on the leadership of the elementary school and to teach there. Six sisters responded.
In 1993, one sister assumed the administration of the new child care center of Lafontaine Academy.
In addition to these official responsibilities, the sisters became involved in the parish in liturgical ministry, in visiting the elderly, in bringing communion to the sick and elderly, in serving those in need in Saint Marcelle parish and in teaching French to immigrants.
Maurice Zundel said : ‘In our modern secular society, it is not so much a question of proving God with arguments, but of revealing him by our way of living and loving.’
For 78 years, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, through their charism of compassion, revealed God’s concrete love for the poor, the sick, the child, the immigrant. They witnessed through their untiring dedication. I thank God and I am grateful to the congregation, to all who worked at Saint Jérôme, and in particular, to all who could be present today.
Their departure is a loss for our diocese, even if competent lay persons have taken up the task …
May the members of this congregation which has sown the seed in eleven countries of the world continue to serve Christ in the poor, the sick, those who are abandoned, with the same zeal, the same ardour and the same disinterested love as did Saint Marguerite d’Youville so that in all the town and villages where there are blatant needs that are not being met, we can say as was said in the 18th century: ‘ Go to the Grey Nuns, they never refuse anything!’ “
At the time of the Offertory procession, the Sisters who worked at Saint Jérôme brought a symbol of their work.
After communion, Sister Rachelle Watier, Provincial Animator, thanked the parish and the diocese in the name of the congregation, in the following words:
“Thank you, Excellency, for allowing me to express a few words of gratitude and to allow memories to surface of those good years our Sisters spent at Saint Jérôme, and in particular in this beautiful parish of Saint Marcelle. It is a joy for me to serve as the spokesperson for the congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa and for the hundreds of sisters who had the privilege of working closely with you … We are old friends, since we arrived in Saint Jérôme in 1932.
If our Sisters found much joy in their mission in Saint Jérôme it is due in large measure to the sympathetic and welcoming persons they met on their path. Whether it was at the Hospice in 1932, or later at d’Youville hospital or at Saint Jérôme Inn with the sick and elderly, or at Lafontaine Academy with the youth, or the education workshops for the little Stars from 3 to 5 years of age, or at the child care center of the little Lafontaine Academy, or in social service, or with the immigrants or the different homes of the region, or in parish pastoral ministry, the Sisters always found among you friends and collaborators who supported their mission. Fortunately, neither distances, nor the years can erase the memories of those wonderful years lived among all of you at Saint Jerôme. The author Barrie said: ‘God gifts us with memories so that we can have roses in December.’ Roses of all colours adorn our rooms! We have harvested them here by the armful!
When one has known much joy in a place - as is the case here – it is even more difficult to leave. We do leave with our hearts filled with friendships, our spirits filled with memories. Strangely enough, we are not really leaving. Through you, Mother Bruyère continues to live the charism of compassion among the poor, the sick, the elderly and the young. Everywhere, there are those who seek loving hearts and listening ears. We hand the torch of our foundress over to you so that you can take our place. Thank you for organising such a wonderful celebration… a kindness along with so many others which will warm our hearts for 78 more winters. In my sisters’ name and in my own, please accept our heartfelt gratitude and the assurance of our prayer. This is only an ‘au revoir’ “
After the recessional, there was time for a wine toast and sharing with those present for the celebration.
An excellent meal extended the festivities.
A feast day cake with ice cream crowned the meal.
Many memories were shared …
And the Sisters returned with the joy of having had the opportunity to visit once again with dear friends and having shared in this wonderful celebration!
Updated 28-11-2010
© Sisters of Charity of Ottawa
