July 13, 2019: "In the footsteps of Mother Claire and the first foundations to Châtelet,.
"ALL IN THE SAME BOAT"
The Chapter's communication team continues its mission to share some news with joy.
What a memorable day this July 13, 2019! While the sisters of the chapter and the sisters of
the Belgian region are preparing to live a few hours on a barge that will take us on the Sambre
, to Châtelet, here comes our sisters from Cameroon! They are welcomed with joy and relief.
First little wink of the Lord at the beginning of this day. There will be many more!
Embarked on a spacious barge in Floreffe, the sisters are invited to pray lauds in three
languages. Sister Renée then presented a reflection and some significant points of this fluvial
course: village of Mother Claire, various foundations of schools.
The slow rise of the barge as it crossed 3 sets of locks gave us several hours to admire
the green landscape, some villages, some factories of this industrial region. Time takes on a
dimension of serenity and slowness conducive to conversation, quiet observation of a lock,
strolling, playing, singing and dancing.
After the picnic, the Belgian sisters who lived and worked in these schools told their
personal stories, making these foundations come to life. Moments of testimony well
appreciated.
Before disembarking we celebrated the birthdays of those born in July and we shared
what had touched us on our trip. In Châtelet we went to the school, the first foundation where
Mother Claire resided for several years, even before the congregation was established in 1834.
A team of school officials gave us a warm welcome. While visiting, we felt that the spirit of
Saint Mary is very much alive.
Before taking the group photo as a souvenir, a moment of thanksgiving united us: we
gratefully recalled our roots. We could imagine, these young girls walking in the streets of
Châtelet in 1819, with the desire to share the gospel. Their dynamism still radiates today in
this region inhabited by simple people, descendants of these working families that worked in
the mines or factories.
A feeling dwells unanimously within us: we extend our gratitude to Sister Renée who has
prepared this original experience for us, and above all, the lived experience that we are all in
the "same boat" navigating the world with its joys and sorrows and the desire to bear the
comforting joy of the Gospel.
Sister Francoise
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