Recognition of Sr. Liette Lessard’s Commitment to Parish Ministry

During the Mass of the Nations on June 2, the St-Paul-L’Ermite and Sts-Simon-et-Jude pastoral unit took the opportunity to pay tribute to five parishioners, including Sr. Liette Lessard, snjm.

She had worked in the Charlemagne – Le Gardeur area for 51 years. She began her career as a teacher and had been involved in parish ministry ever since. Following her teaching career, she devoted all her time to active parish work, in particular taking on the responsibility for sacramental initiation classes from 2004 until her moved to Longueuil in 2021.

A reunion

Msgr. Alain Faubert, auxiliary bishop of the Montreal diocese. Source: Archdiocese of Montreal

As chance would have it, at the Confirmation ceremony, presided over by Msgr. Alain Faubert, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Montreal, she discovered among the five young people being confirmed, a girl who had been in her class a few years prior, preparing to make her first Communion.

And when the pastor Fr. Aloysius Ebonine, omv named Sr. Liette as one of the five recipients of the “Flame of Commitment” trophy, Msgr. Faubert immediately went over and embraced and congratulated her. The two had known each other for years from when Msgr. Faubert had been in charge of the catechists’ meetings. “He was very happy to see me and greet me,” says Sr. Liette, who, in the moment, forgot that the pastor had highly praised her.  

The latter recalled the quality of her commitment. He noted, “Being a woman of faith and heart, she got involved with the children. She never hesitated to make changes to please and accommodate people, so that everything ran smoothly.”

“… an unwavering and caring affinity…”

The fact that the date of this Mass of the Nations was chosen to thank all those involved in various ways in the life of the parish, is symbolically important for Fr. Ebonine.  “During this Mass, we will experience the deep meaning of walking next to each other in an unfailing and caring affinity; without looking at skin color, physiognomy, race, cultural steps and any differences visible to the eye. This will be a moment when love between us will be the ultimate point of our celebration. It’s an opportunity to say THANK YOU…”

Sr. Liette Lessard with the “Flame of Commitment” trophy.

Photos credit: Sr. Suzanne Brault