New mission in Angers
The choice of Angers for this foundation reflects our Congregation’s commitment to responding to the Church’s calls and to the human realities of our time. A city with a rich Christian tradition, Angers is also home to a young and diverse population, comprising families, students, older people and those in vulnerable circumstances. As elsewhere, many face isolation and fragile relationships, and carry within them a quest for meaning.
The Church welcomes us with both warmth and respect.
We are given many opportunities to recognise the Lord’s benevolent Providence towards us: He is there, He is waiting for us, He guides us. This is our joy and our thanksgiving.
The small number of sisters in our Apostolic Body inspires us to grow in faith, charity and hope. A third sister has been promised to us. We know she will come ‘at the right time’, but only God knows when! We, Huong and Colette, are united by our sending on mission; this helps us to transcend our differences (culture, generation, temperament). We are wholly committed to seeking ways to fulfil our calling and our mission as Little Sisters of the Assumption in Anjou.
Through our encounters and during these first few months here, we are discovering a vibrant and welcoming local Church, attentive to families, young people, the most vulnerable, and to those who are seeking God or wishing to deepen their faith.
We are struck by the richness of the Christian community here and now: lively parishes and student chaplaincy; many groups dedicated to deepening the faith (Bible study, various prayer groups). A spirit of fraternal care for the sick, the elderly and the homeless emanates from the parish. There are many catechists for children and for guiding catechumens, even though there is always a demand for their services. Many young parents attend Sunday Mass faithfully with their children; they are involved in liturgical leadership (Sunday Masses and Eucharistic adoration once a month).
Within this ecclesial context, where shall we fit in? And how?
We have been sent here in particular to serve young people within the Diocesan Church: youth ministry and vocations ministry; passing on the faith.
In conjunction with the initiatives already being led by the diocese, we wish to contribute humbly to this youth ministry through a simple and accessible presence, characterised by listening, accompaniment, fellowship and prayer.
The significant presence of young people in the area is one of the specific calls we perceive in this foundation. Students, young professionals, young people seeking direction or going through periods of self-reflection often express a need to be listened to, accompanied and supported on their journey. Many long to find places where they can freely share their questions, deepen their faith, re-examine their lives in the light of the Gospel and forge authentic fraternal relationships.
To truly become sisters to the people of this community and to nourish ourselves spiritually, we have each chosen to join a Bible study and sharing group.
In addition, we took part in a diocesan meeting on the catechumenate, where opportunities for engagement opened the doors for us to the student chaplaincy, to supporting catechumens, and to launching a small Assumption fraternity group.
In June, our Sister Ernestine joined us. She had little time before the summer break to begin forging links, but she is welcomed with joy to bring her own special touch to this emerging network of relationships.
After our holidays and individual retreats, we will come together again, filled with joy, to set out anew on this new project of the Little Sisters of the Assumption amongst a people yet to be discovered; to serve and love in the name of our Father of tenderness and mercy.
The Lord has invited us to this ‘new Galilee’. He shows us His living footprints in the very places where He awaits us. He believes in us and enables us to live out our particular charism within this local Church. Through an attentive and loving presence amongst the people we meet in daily life, we become, together with this Christian community, sisters who bear witness to the God who gives life.
Srs Huong and Colette,
Angers community