News from Marguerite-Bourgeoys Province
Holiday Season at Résidence Bon-Secours
The holiday season gave the sisters of Résidence Bon-Secours the opportunity to get together on different occasions to celebrate, to sing and to have a good time together. Thank you to the community helpers who were so involved in making these get togethers a success.
Sister Geneviève Bouchard’s 100th Birthday on January 4 (by Sr. Louise Nicole)
Sister Geneviève Bouchard happily holds a balloon on her 100th birthday.
She was also invited to the home of one of our associates.
Members of her family also celebrated Sister Geneviève’s birthday. With her childlike heart full of wonder, Geneviève received many gifts from Santa Claus!
Two special guests for the Feast of Marguerite Bourgeoys celebration of the associates of the Montréal-Estrie sector (by Anne Le Sauteur)
On January 11, 2025, we were honored to welcome Sister Denise Lamarche who spoke to us about this Marguerite that inspired the sculpture created in the early 2000s by the Artisans sculpteurs de Lanaudière. She was accompanied by Sister Irène Archambault, who remains dear to our hearts. It was a joy to see her again!
Sister Denise told us – with great brio and a host of amusing stories – how this project came about, its realization, the contribution of the sisters of Joliette, and its installation at Maison Saint-Gabriel. This linden wood statue was so beautiful that Sister Denise could not resist the irrepressible urge to write a book, the first edition of which was published in 2007.
The meeting continued with a time of contemplative meditation, during which associates read three chapters from the book that evoke one of Marguerite’s particular virtues: “The Eyes” (her deep faith), “The Habit” (her humility and charity) and “The Well” (her desire to make God’s word known). Each reading was followed by a short sharing session.
Thank you Sister Denise, Sister Irène, and each of the associates present, for a meeting that many have described as magical!
Conveying this beauty that comes from God (by Anne Le Sauteur)
On January 12, 2025, all parishioners of Sainte-Marguerite-Bourgeoys Church (including Linda Lewis, an associate from the Montreal sector) were invited by Father Emanuel Zetino to commemorate their patron saint together, and to be inspired by her audacity in conveying the beauty of God.
In addition to leading the commemoration ceremony at his parish, Padre Zetino gave a sermon on Marguerite Bourgeoys that was televised on “La Victoire de l’amour” on January 12. His homily came towards the end, at around 10:25 p.m.