September 8th, 2022
On this very special feast day I would like to highlight a few joyful events that took place at the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, in Prince Albert, Sk.
The first event started with an annual retreat held at Queen’s house in Saskatoon while the other sisters at the infirmary followed a retreat by video conferences in P.A.
Then all the sisters came and gathered together at the infirmary, as a province. Some sisters shared their experiences of the canonization of their foundress Blessed Marie Rivier who was proclaimed a ‘Saint ‘on May 15, 2022, in Rome. One sister felt that meeting the sisters from every continent ‘was just like coming home to a family reunion.’
When Pope Francis came to Canada on July 24th, 2022, to deliver his special message of ‘Apology’, some sisters who accompanied Indigenous people to Lac St. Anne, Alberta, also shared some memories of their trip.
Following this, a ritual called ‘A Praise T.V. Olympic Team 2022’ was planned and prepared by Sr. April Mireau and Sr. Emma Rousseau helped with the acting, while Sr. Rita Bisson did the singing. An acrostic presentation was used and animated by Sr. April to express our genuine gratitude and appreciation to: our former provincial Superior, Sr. Lise Paquette, her assistant Sr. Priscilla Houde and the treasurer, Sr. Michelle Blanchette.
They were then presented with medals for their numerous years of service to the community. We are grateful and thank them sincerely for their commitment. We offer them our warm wishes for their successful future endeavours.
Then with encouraging words of hope, Sister Lise introduced the new provincial Sister Mary Woodward who will replace her, and wished her good luck in her new ministry to continue to bring the flame of love to others.
Sr. Mary then took the opportunity to have a Commissioning Ritual during a prayerful service where she called each sister by name to live obedience in a privileged manner through a ‘sending out on mission.”(C40)
‘We are grateful for the messengers of God-the people,
events written or spoken words-that came to us at just the right time and helped us to grow.’
Joyce Rupp
New Provincial Superior