BI CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS IN NODDFA
Eleanor Dalton
The front hall was buzzing when we arrived from Liverpool for the celebration of the Bi Centenary of Mere St. Jean's birth. Warm croissants were being passed around and ground coffee was brewing -the beginning of a very French celebration.
Hot croissants - a warm welcome
Warm croissants ready to welcome all the visitors.
Pierre led the opening prayer: 'Rooted in Love 'and André shared a well researched Powerpoint presentation which filled in many details and painted a rich picture of our foundress in the three stages of her life, as a single woman, a married woman and foundress. A courageous woman emerged from the story, a woman who had suffered the loss of parents and siblings, the unexpected death of her husband and ten days later the death of her only remaining brother. A generous woman presented herself and her fortune to Fr. Gailhac to help him realize the dream he had to found an institute. Despite her fragile health and the newness of the life she had embraced Mere St. Jean applied herself well and faced her difficulties with courage. The wealth of material and insights that Andre offered deserve more time and attention and maybe this can be done at another gathering.
Bernadette and Patricia
Great care and attention to detail went into the planning and preparation of a very French meal which everyone welcomed.
Bernadette and Patricia folding serviettes in preparation for the celebration.
Pierre in her presentation in the afternoon brought the characters of the first community alive. She highlighted the character of Mere St. Jean with quotations and enlivened her talk with illustrations and examples from her own teaching experience. A short time for reflection followed and then we gathered in chapel for prayer: 'Called to be the fire and the Flame.'
Members of the extended family and friends will share their thoughts on the day in the next newsletter.Thank you André and Pierre and thank you to Noddfa Community for the warm welcome and hospitality we all enjoyed.
BI-CENTENARY Nuala Mullins
Gathering of the sisters
“We came from Liverpool, London, Preston, Barrow, York, Carlisle, Castleoaks and Castlemilk to Noddfa. We joined with Members of the Extended Family and Friends to celebrate and listen to the Story of the Life and Work of Mother St Jean, ably researched for us by André and Pierre. This was set in the context of being invited to tell our own story. It was a most enriching and enjoyable experience.”
Great care and attention to detail went into the planning and preparation of a very French meal which everyone welcomed.
“We came from