Today will be my last post from France. Bear with me I am using a French keyboard. On the last day in Le Mans we visited the Grande Trappe Abbey for the day and we allowed to celebrate mass with the monks in their cloister. It xas very exciting.
Yesterday I visited the Orsay Museum and Notre Dame. I also visited the Eiffel Tower and took a boat tour. Today there is a flea market on my street and I hope to get to the Lourve.
I am ready to come home and leave tomorrow. See you soon.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Latest Update
Well it has been a while but internet access is hard to come by. I am with a group in McDonalds drinking COLD Coca Cola and using wifi.
Yesterday we traveled to Chartes to tour the cathedral. We celebrated mass in the Crypt of our Lady of the Underground. It was quite emotional and moving. Following mass we had time for lunch and shopping. Lunch was french onion soup--yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
In the afternoon we had a guided tour of the cathedral--what a story I will tell when I return.
When we returned to Le Mans the lay participants met with the organizers for a review of how things are going. We were given our charge to spread Holy Cross througout our lives.
Today we spent the day at the Centre learning about the mission of Holy Cross and about other leaders in Holy Cross including Sister Madaleva. It was a long day.
Early in the morning the priests, brothers and sisters from Bangladesh celebrated mass for us at the tomb of Fr. Moreau. Another moving experience.
While I am not taking pictures I have access to many and will certainly share with you when I return., I have made great friends and feel very close to the group here.
Tomorrow we travel to the Solemens and on Thursday to the Grand Trappe Abbey.
I will try to get on line at least one more time.
Yesterday we traveled to Chartes to tour the cathedral. We celebrated mass in the Crypt of our Lady of the Underground. It was quite emotional and moving. Following mass we had time for lunch and shopping. Lunch was french onion soup--yummmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
In the afternoon we had a guided tour of the cathedral--what a story I will tell when I return.
When we returned to Le Mans the lay participants met with the organizers for a review of how things are going. We were given our charge to spread Holy Cross througout our lives.
Today we spent the day at the Centre learning about the mission of Holy Cross and about other leaders in Holy Cross including Sister Madaleva. It was a long day.
Early in the morning the priests, brothers and sisters from Bangladesh celebrated mass for us at the tomb of Fr. Moreau. Another moving experience.
While I am not taking pictures I have access to many and will certainly share with you when I return., I have made great friends and feel very close to the group here.
Tomorrow we travel to the Solemens and on Thursday to the Grand Trappe Abbey.
I will try to get on line at least one more time.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sunday In Le Mans
Sorry-no message yesterday--we traveled all day and did not have access to the internet. We visited Fr. DuJarie's home, chapels where Fr. Moreau said mass and a variety of other places. We also had great naps on the bus. We had mass in the church where Mother Mary of the Seven Dolores was baptized.
Today we started with the story of Fr. Moreau's resignation and then celebrated a prayer at his crypt. After mass in the church we visited the cemetary where sisters, brothers and priests are buried and then headed to the Solitude for a great noon meal. After a filling meal we had a tour of the Solitude. The lay people knew their way around since we stayed here prior to the session beginning.
We have the rest of the afternoon off (laundry time) and then tomorrow leave for Chartes. I hope to be able to get a message off on Tuesday.
Today we started with the story of Fr. Moreau's resignation and then celebrated a prayer at his crypt. After mass in the church we visited the cemetary where sisters, brothers and priests are buried and then headed to the Solitude for a great noon meal. After a filling meal we had a tour of the Solitude. The lay people knew their way around since we stayed here prior to the session beginning.
We have the rest of the afternoon off (laundry time) and then tomorrow leave for Chartes. I hope to be able to get a message off on Tuesday.
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Foundations of the Holy Cross in Indiana and Canada
Today we learned lots about Fr. Sorin, Sr. Angela and the founders of the Holy Cross in Canada. How scary to be called to a mission at 14 or 15 years of age and to leave your home, travel across the world and end up in the deep snow and cold. We are hosting the French Holy Cross for dinner tonight and then have a long travel day tomorrow.
Since there is a line for the computer I will be short today.
More information after we travel.
Since there is a line for the computer I will be short today.
More information after we travel.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Visits to Laigne-En-Belin and Ruille-Sur-Loir
Wow what a day--we boarded a bus this morning to head out the the towns in the title. Laigne-En-Belin is the birthplace of Fr. Moreau and his home parish. We visited his home church and had mass there this morning. After mass we were treated to an aperitif hosted by the parishoners and the mayors office. Let me describe this cultural activity. When welcoming guests you are offered a beverage--here it's been champagne and cassis or beer or wine or juice and a snack. So we started off with champagne and cassis this morning. Following our welcome we visited what was part of Fr. Moreau's home (we couldn't get in as it is privately owned) and then proceeded to the bakery. Now it is important to know that this is a little town and it was announced in the church bulletin that we would be there. Yummmmm
Following our visit to Fr. Moreau's home we moved on to Ruille-Su-Loir where Fr. Dujarie was ordained, served and established the Sisters of Providence and the Brothers of Joseph. We had lunch at the Grande Providence which is the mother house for the Sisters of Providence (cousins to the Holy Cross). More wine and beer!
We traveled from the Grande Providence to the Petite Providence. This is the original novitiate and chapel for the sisters.
From the Petite Providence we went on to Fosse Garnier, the farm where Fr. Dujarie said his first mass and hid from the police. The owners of the farm welcomed us in and showed us the room where the first mass was held. Quite a moment!
From Fosse Garnier we moved on to Fr. Dujaries parish church--a beautiful church. This is also the church where Fr. Dujarie gave the leadership of the brothers and sisters to Fr. Moreau.
We returned to La Grande Providence for prayer at the tomb of Fr. Dujarie--it was quite moving and we learned about his first sermon and the letter the brothers wrote to him when Fr. Moreau took over leadership of the brothers. Very emotional and heartbreaking.
We returned to Le Mans in time for a quick nap or refresher (oh did I mentioned we had another snack at La Grande Providence). Dinner was at 7-omelets and we will all have an early evening I guess.
More to come tomorrow.
Karen
Following our visit to Fr. Moreau's home we moved on to Ruille-Su-Loir where Fr. Dujarie was ordained, served and established the Sisters of Providence and the Brothers of Joseph. We had lunch at the Grande Providence which is the mother house for the Sisters of Providence (cousins to the Holy Cross). More wine and beer!
We traveled from the Grande Providence to the Petite Providence. This is the original novitiate and chapel for the sisters.
From the Petite Providence we went on to Fosse Garnier, the farm where Fr. Dujarie said his first mass and hid from the police. The owners of the farm welcomed us in and showed us the room where the first mass was held. Quite a moment!
From Fosse Garnier we moved on to Fr. Dujaries parish church--a beautiful church. This is also the church where Fr. Dujarie gave the leadership of the brothers and sisters to Fr. Moreau.
We returned to La Grande Providence for prayer at the tomb of Fr. Dujarie--it was quite moving and we learned about his first sermon and the letter the brothers wrote to him when Fr. Moreau took over leadership of the brothers. Very emotional and heartbreaking.
We returned to Le Mans in time for a quick nap or refresher (oh did I mentioned we had another snack at La Grande Providence). Dinner was at 7-omelets and we will all have an early evening I guess.
More to come tomorrow.
Karen
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Wednesday Afternoonop
Well this has been a busy day so far. After a light breakfast (right!) I am loving the bread here!!, we started our sessions in earnest. This morning we learned about the history in France durning the time of Fr. Dujarie and Fr. Moreau. We also learned more about Fr. Dujarie and his associates. We had a filling lunch and then headed downtown for a walk and a little window shopping.
I was wrong this morning--Mono Prixe is the French Target (sorry). We are getting ready to begin the afternoon session soon.
There are 6 lay people here:
Gail who is a campus minister at Notre Dame High School in Westhaven CN
Margaret who is a family minister at St. Gregory School in Chile
Mark who is a member of the history faculty at Holy Cross College in New Orleans
Chris who is the director of Alumni Relations at Holy Cross College in New Orleans
Marco who is the principal at Bishop MacNamara High School in DC
and
me!
We have bonded well and are meeting Holy Cross from around the world. The group is very interesting.
Last night we were treated to an aperitif before dinner hosted by the vicar of the parish here. It was fun--champagne and treats.
We are getting ready to start again. I will update you as I have time.
I was wrong this morning--Mono Prixe is the French Target (sorry). We are getting ready to begin the afternoon session soon.
There are 6 lay people here:
Gail who is a campus minister at Notre Dame High School in Westhaven CN
Margaret who is a family minister at St. Gregory School in Chile
Mark who is a member of the history faculty at Holy Cross College in New Orleans
Chris who is the director of Alumni Relations at Holy Cross College in New Orleans
Marco who is the principal at Bishop MacNamara High School in DC
and
me!
We have bonded well and are meeting Holy Cross from around the world. The group is very interesting.
Last night we were treated to an aperitif before dinner hosted by the vicar of the parish here. It was fun--champagne and treats.
We are getting ready to start again. I will update you as I have time.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Let's Try Again
while we were in the city we found the Mono Prix which is sort of the French Walmart. Had a great lunch at a cafe and then returned to get ready for the opening session. It appears that many workers were on strike on Tuesday so the railroad is slow.
The opening session was great and we are learning to pray in French as well as English. We start today in earnest with Mass and a day of learning about Fr. Moreau and his family as well as France at the time he was alive.
Watch for more later.
Karen
The opening session was great and we are learning to pray in French as well as English. We start today in earnest with Mass and a day of learning about Fr. Moreau and his family as well as France at the time he was alive.
Watch for more later.
Karen
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hello from France. Yes I got here just fine. The plane trip was pretty nice--great weather not bumpy and I had a great seat partner. TV's at every seat to lots of movies to watch. Arrived in Paris at about 7:15 am and met some Sisters from Canada waiting for the train. Yes I found the train with no problem. Had a great ride to Le Mans and after a lunch of steak and many other courses went to sleep. Am well rested.
On Monday we had an orientation session for the lay persons. There are six of us here this year and it is a great group. We discussed Fr. Moreau's call the the laity and the Church's call to the laity. After more spectular food went for a long walk on the grounds of the Solitude where we have been staying.
Today we move to the City Center after breakfast and will have the afternoon off to explore. I am really looking forward to the rest of the session.
More later--weather is great--cool and sunny.
Karen
On Monday we had an orientation session for the lay persons. There are six of us here this year and it is a great group. We discussed Fr. Moreau's call the the laity and the Church's call to the laity. After more spectular food went for a long walk on the grounds of the Solitude where we have been staying.
Today we move to the City Center after breakfast and will have the afternoon off to explore. I am really looking forward to the rest of the session.
More later--weather is great--cool and sunny.
Karen