Sunday, April 12, 2009

Christ is Risen! Truly Risen!--Easter Sunday

This was my day to greet the faithful, so I was at the back of the Cathedral to wish everyone a Happy Easter or Joyeuses Paques at the biligual Mass (9AM), celebrated the 10:30 Mass in French and greeted those coming to the noon Mass in English. The cathedral overflowed with the faithful and visitors from all over Quebec, Ontario and even a few from further afield (Prince Albert, SK; Switzerland; the Hispanic world). Our choir was in great form: the Sequence was beautifully sung and the Hallelujah Chorus was the recessional. People stayed behind to wait for the conclusion of the singing and the organ.
Mgr Roger Lariviere and I posed for a photo at lunch; I'll miss his 96th birthday on Wednesday while away on retreat and would like to offer him a photo for his special day.
Popped in for a taste of the luncheon of Polish food being served at the Queenship of Mary residence next to St. Mary's Church. They are hoping that a canonical presentation of their project to establish a new religious body (sisterhood) will begin with their recognition as a pious association of Christ's faithful sometime soon.
En route home, I was able to visit with Abbe Marcel Gauthier (at the Bruyere-St. Vincent's home) who was in fine fettle today: perhaps the presence of his sister from Montreal, along with his sister from Ottawa, gave him a boost. Then, dropped in at the other Bruyere long-term care centre not far from home, to look in on Abbe Paul-Yvon Menard, who gave me the whole story of his uncle, the former Archbishop of Montreal Joseph Charbonneau (originally from Lefaive, where they intend to name the community centre in his honour when I visit next month).
I'll be flying off to retreat in Pennsylvania tomorrow at midday so the blogging may be light in coming days.

1 comment:

  1. We have a painting done by l'Abbe Marcel Gauthier in 1944 "Maison à Rosemere" where the Ducharme family lived - would be interested in confirming this.

    Would it be possible to contact l'Abbe Marcel Gauthier directly?

    I can be reached at katsjunkmale@hotmail.com

    Thank you.

    Kathy

    ReplyDelete