A joyful handover
“A deep sense of gratitude and hope”
On 5th September I arrived in Paris. A great welcome awaited me from my new community in Montmartre and as I unpacked my bags, became used to a different environment I was very grateful for the Cenacle gift of hospitality.
On 5th September I arrived in Paris. A great welcome awaited me from my new community in Montmartre and as I unpacked my bags, became used to a different environment I was very grateful for the Cenacle gift of hospitality.
A very moving experience for me was the handover celebration which took place on the evening of 8th September. As Sr Veronique Fabre handed me the ‘province candle’, symbolizing the passing on of responsibility from one provincial to the next, I felt the presence and love of God with us.
A very moving experience for me was the handover celebration which took place on the evening of 8th September. As Sr Veronique Fabre handed me the ‘province candle’, symbolizing the passing on of responsibility from one provincial to the next, I felt the presence and love of God with us.
Sisters from the Parisian region, together with the members of the London community were gathered in person but we were keenly aware of the support and prayers of sisters around the province and congregation. The words of the Gospel chosen for this time of prayer (John 2: 1-11) spoke of the continued invitation to ‘listen’ more attentively to Jesus, and to stay close to Mary.
Sisters from the Parisian region, together with the members of the London community were gathered in person but we were keenly aware of the support and prayers of sisters around the province and congregation. The words of the Gospel chosen for this time of prayer (John 2: 1-11) spoke of the continued invitation to ‘listen’ more attentively to Jesus, and to stay close to Mary.
As I began my new mission it was an encouragement to pray once more a portion of the prayer to Mary written to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of our province : ‘Mary, Our Lady of the Cenacle, we bless and thank you for being present by our side, for watching over each one of us, over our communities, over our province and what is at work within it. We count of you to continue to be there in all the paths we will have to travel and to accompany us on our journey of faith.’ (26 September 2021).
As I began my new mission it was an encouragement to pray once more a portion of the prayer to Mary written to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of our province : ‘Mary, Our Lady of the Cenacle, we bless and thank you for being present by our side, for watching over each one of us, over our communities, over our province and what is at work within it. We count of you to continue to be there in all the paths we will have to travel and to accompany us on our journey of faith.’ (26 September 2021).
The greetings of the sisters, the singing and the celebrations which continued into the evening have left me with a deep sense of gratitude and hope, as I take up my new role.
The greetings of the sisters, the singing and the celebrations which continued into the evening have left me with a deep sense of gratitude and hope, as I take up my new role.
