Closing of the 125th anniversary celebrations
A word from Sister Denise LaBarre, superior general

Religious members and lay associates are invited to the Mother House for a last activity of the 125^th anniversary of founding.
A photo display, a fraternal meal, a celebration to the theme “All sing and shout with joy” marked this memorable day.

A future opens on hope

Dear Sisters, dear associates,

When you think of the Lord?s promise in Isaiah ?Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already ? can?t you see it now!? (Is 43, 18), how do you see this?

Is it already there or not yet there?

Or maybe both: already there and not yet?as the Kingdom of God?

A memory to celebrate

During our centennial celebrations, we recalled the marvels of God in the work daringly begun on September 12, 1877. We have lived proudly and gratefully large gatherings that were all meaningful. I believe we have not forgotten anyone. We received precious testimonies and our exultation was communicated to those dear to us ? both near and far.

Yes, a memory was celebrated.

Together, we reaffirmed our convictions, we consolidated our family traits, and we have drawn from the initial energy to assure the present we are called to live. We experimented, tasted, I believe, a real communal spirituality. We are more aware of the presence and incessant intervention of God through the weak instruments that we are. We thank Him, we are grateful for He has bent over us and has taken us under His wing.

A future to invent

There remains a future to invent. It is up to us to give wings to our hope, our confidence. A future beckons with hope. Our present mission is rooted in a world shaken up, suffering, but longing for more liberty and more real, enduring love.

As the celebration of this day invites us, shall we offer ourselves, propose a meaning to human existence, form new bonds, and weave amid the workplace of the actual world, a fabric with the threads of Elisabeth and Bishop Moreau? We have received this gift of the initial charisma to pass it on. We have a heritage to share.

Let us ask God to give us that invincible faith, that serene trust, that fullness of mysterious and strong joy. Let us implore Him to grant us the folly and the beauty of the Pascal mystery. May His Spirit inspire our initiatives in our work amongst His people. Let us beg Him to give us the will to risk new commitments.

Again today, in order to invent our future, let us heed the cry of Lamentations, ?The children beg for food that no one will give them? (Lam. IV, 4). Today, each of us takes this call unto himself/herself:

You are responsible for the bread of the future.

A future is offered to our hope; it is up to us to give it wings. Together, let us seek for the essential, let us be firmer in faith, and let us be filled with gratefulness.

We are responsible for the bread of the future.

Mindful of His Presence in us, let us pray together:

«Lord, teach us to face the future without fearing its coming, without shutting it into disastrous forecasts or illusions, without forcing destiny, but, by being open to the breath of the Spirit of life and love that is always offered to our world.» (Mgr Bertrand Blanchet, bishop of Rimouski)

«Holy Spirit,
You who are always the master of the impossible,
Come and realize in us all that is possible for you:
Bring life to what is dying,
Cause what is germinating to sprout,
Bring to ripening what has fallen to earth »
Amen.
Mgr Claude Dagens, bishop of Angoulême

Diaporama de la clôture des fêtes (only in French)