It was a joyful occasion when, for the first time since the beginning of COVID-19, I gathered my team of Volunteers for a picnic. We brought our lunches, respected social distancing and shared our lived experiences of the pandemic.

Several have committed to phoning 2 or 3 people a day, others enjoyed quiet time with their spouse or helping out their children while others made virtual visits to family using Face Time or Messenger. One member worked at the parish from time to time. All appreciated the assistance of younger friends or neighbors who helped with grocery shopping. Acts of unforgettable solidarity were witnessed.

We all grew in awareness that we could live more simply, with less and focus on the essential which included a realization of the importance of our spirituality in the present circumstances. Having had to sacrifice team meetings due to the present situation we came to appreciate them more. We recognized the need to support each other and nurture our relationship more consciously.

In closing I wish to thank God for each of you who are witnesses in your respective milieus:
Aline B. / Jacqueline C. / Françine M. / Ghyslaine L / Jocelyne B. / Louise F. / Marie-Jeanne F. / Jacqueline B.

Paulette C.
Leader of the Volunteer team in Drummondville

I have the pleasure of presenting you my refreshed website. I thank my technician, Mr. André Martimbault, for his good work.

You can now download the songs you want as well as my 5 albums with the song scores. The prices are listed.

Something new: you can subscribe to on-line biblical meetings, two hours every two weeks, AUX QUATRE SENS DES ÉCRITURES (The Four Meanings of Scripture), with live groups of 5 to 10 on the Webex platform.

Subscribers receive a link to the platform to click on at the time of the meeting.

Aux Quatre Sens des Écritures is a dynamic way of giving and receiving the Word by sharing on the various meanings in a specific biblical text. Visit the website for more information. The meetings will begin September 16, 2020.

Here is your link to the website: violainecouture.com.

View a short video explaining the content of the website and of the Aux Quatre Sens des Écritures meetings.

	Vidéo promo Site Web 16 juillet 2020 (Website video Promo July 16, 2020) To view a short video presentation of my own website, go to  violainecouture.com  It explains: -  how to download the songs, song scores and complete albums -  how to subscribe… Visit my YouTube channel

Looking forward to hearing from you one way or another.

Violaine C.

For years, as part of my professional function, I used crafts with many children of 4, 5, and 6 years of age to develop their manual dexterity and as a means to awaken their artistic creativity.

Over the years, much to my surprise, I have adopted the creative objectives, first, having evolved to joyful moments of creating greeting cards and, secondly, to donate the financial proceeds to our Oblate missions in need.

I am grateful to my companions who, over the past years, have supported me by ordering my cards, original and exclusive in design, for the pleasure of those to whom they were to be given.

Yes, warm THANKS to all who have made it possible for me to fulfill my two-fold objective of having established Handicraft Creations that, in turn, allows me to donate to social and humanitarian causes!

Claire T.

I use various techniques in creating my cards

Permagano	Flowers soft	Iris Folding
Quilling	Embroidery	Decoupage

I live my mission every day and at all times as a consecrated layperson with the peoplewho are my work colleagues. All shoulder their share of responsibility and working together is a pleasure. The parish priest has confidence in me as an Oblate concerning pastoral work and in the promotion of the faith in the parish and in the diocese of Nakhone Rajsasima.

I strive to live my oblate commitment by my daily witnessing. I manifest the unconditional love of Christ to others who live around me. I renewmy vows of chastity, poverty and obedience every year according to the Constitution of the Institute of Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

As an Oblate, living the 5 attitudes has helped to shape my life. For example, when I make mistakes in relation others close to me, I acknowledge those mistakes with simplicity and apologize. I am becoming more attentive to others and more open to them. That teaches me to serve with joy and happiness.

The above photo shows a group of seniors who meet with the purpose of maintaining the magnificent traditions of Thailandin order to pass theseon to future generations. It is through their generous communication and commitment of their time that activities for the children of the parish areorganized by these parish elders to transmit their traditions, like learning to celebrate and greet the New Year in Thai fashion.

I was invited to the bishop’s table for lunch. Father Malser who sat across from me asked me a question, “In comparison, which is the holiest, the Institute of the Oblates or the religious group of Mary?”
At that moment the bishop paid attention, waiting for my answer. I replied that all areequally holy since all pronounce the same vows. And Father said: Oh!That’strue.

I was pleased with this opportunity to explain my commitment as a consecrated lay person, a path to holiness for all the members of the Institute.

The above photo was taken in front of the residence of the bishop of Nakhone Rajsasima.

Netnalith W.

Our activities, including two regional meetings, have been cancelled in the past three months due to home-confinement following the COVID-19 pandemic. All team meetings have been put on hold and the house at de la Pépinière has been shut down with rigorous home surveillance in place. We hope to reopen the house in June.

Each of us is mindful of staying in close contact with other companions, preferably by phone. The exchange of e-mails is being used as a means of sharing entertaining videos as well as pertinent reflection material.

Three of our companions contracted the COVID-19; two have recovered and the third, although asymptomatic, is still in hospital. We have suffered two deaths. One oblate, having lost her live-in companion, was relocated to assure her security. Through divine grace, she was well prepared for this outcome; she is doing well.

As Father Parent has said, “Seeking the positive in the present moment embellishes day-to-day life and is essential in our life.”

Adriana D.

Experience shows that the closer one is to christ, the more liberated, peaceful, fulfilled and radiant one is.        
Louis-Marie Parent, O.M.I.