Go forth to a land that I will show you… And I will bless you! (Genesis 12)

 

One ordinary day in mid-September, 2019, the 38 sisters living in Methuen were called to gather together after lunch for a meeting with Sister Helene Cote, the Provincial, who had an announcement to make that was quite extraordinary. After more than 60 years, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary would be leaving Methuen and the property of the former Searles Estate would then be put up for sale. In addition, because two residences were discovered by the hard work of Sister Helene and her Council, the move for the majority of the sisters would occur between the months of October and November. The “fingerprints of God” were all over the discovery of these two residences where the sisters could live in large groups, and so the “journey of faith” began.

The 10 sisters in need of skilled nursing care living at the infirmary found a very comfortable and welcoming new home at Saint Joseph Convent in Biddeford Maine, a residence and infirmary for the Good Shepherd Sisters (SCIM). The sisters left in pairs every two weeks, much like the disciples and our first founding sisters. The first two sisters left on October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the final group arrived at their new residence in the middle of the novena to the feast of the Presentation of Mary. The entire transition seemed to be wrapped in the mantle of the presence of Mary, the guardian of our Congregation.

To everyone’s delight, it was soon discovered that the atmosphere and the routine in this new residence was very similar to what the sisters have always lived. Every day but Saturday, the sisters gathered together for prayer and daily Eucharist as well as evening prayer. Since there are six different Congregations represented in the sisters who live here, there are many days of celebrating foundresses and foundation days, jubilees and feast days, all with special prayers, Eucharist, banquets, and decorations! The charism of each is highlighted and honored. Every holiday and holy day were marked by special events and gatherings, forming everyone into one, joy-filled family!

And then came the coronavirus… By mid-March, the facility was closed to visitors including the three priests who celebrated Eucharist for us. The need to limit the numbers and gatherings, though the schedule remains the same, most sisters followed prayer and Mass (CatholicTV online) over the intercom in their rooms. The community is fortunate to still have the distribution of Communion on a daily basis. Fewer sisters eat in the main dining room, while some sisters take their meals in smaller dining rooms or in their rooms. At the beginning, no activities were held but in the last few months, activities were held for some of the sisters: bingo, adult coloring, movies…The care given to all during this time has provided safety and a virus free environment! And for that, all are grateful and willing to cooperate.

Like Sarah and Abraham in their advanced age, the sisters heard God’s call: “Go forth to a land I will show you… And I will bless you!” And in this time of Congregational aging, the sisters have journeyed in great faith and continue daily to experience God’s blessing.

 

Go forth to a land that I will show you… And I will bless you! (Genesis 12)

 

One ordinary day in mid-September, 2019, the 38 sisters living in Methuen were called to gather together after lunch for a meeting with Sister Helene Cote, the Provincial, who had an announcement to make that was quite extraordinary. After more than 60 years, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary would be leaving Methuen and the property of the former Searles Estate would then be put up for sale. In addition, because two residences were discovered by the hard work of Sister Helene and her Council, the move for the majority of the sisters would occur between the months of October and November. The “fingerprints of God” were all over the discovery of these two residences where the sisters could live in large groups, and so the “journey of faith” began.

The 10 sisters in need of skilled nursing care living at the infirmary found a very comfortable and welcoming new home at Saint Joseph Convent in Biddeford Maine, a residence and infirmary for the Good Shepherd Sisters (SCIM). The sisters left in pairs every two weeks, much like the disciples and our first founding sisters. The first two sisters left on October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the final group arrived at their new residence in the middle of the novena to the feast of the Presentation of Mary. The entire transition seemed to be wrapped in the mantle of the presence of Mary, the guardian of our Congregation.

To everyone’s delight, it was soon discovered that the atmosphere and the routine in this new residence was very similar to what the sisters have always lived. Every day but Saturday, the sisters gathered together for prayer and daily Eucharist as well as evening prayer. Since there are six different Congregations represented in the sisters who live here, there are many days of celebrating foundresses and foundation days, jubilees and feast days, all with special prayers, Eucharist, banquets, and decorations! The charism of each is highlighted and honored. Every holiday and holy day were marked by special events and gatherings, forming everyone into one, joy-filled family!

And then came the coronavirus… By mid-March, the facility was closed to visitors including the three priests who celebrated Eucharist for us. The need to limit the numbers and gatherings, though the schedule remains the same, most sisters followed prayer and Mass (CatholicTV online) over the intercom in their rooms. The community is fortunate to still have the distribution of Communion on a daily basis. Fewer sisters eat in the main dining room, while some sisters take their meals in smaller dining rooms or in their rooms. At the beginning, no activities were held but in the last few months, activities were held for some of the sisters: bingo, adult coloring, movies…The care given to all during this time has provided safety and a virus free environment! And for that, all are grateful and willing to cooperate.

Like Sarah and Abraham in their advanced age, the sisters heard God’s call: “Go forth to a land I will show you… And I will bless you!” And in this time of Congregational aging, the sisters have journeyed in great faith and continue daily to experience God’s blessing.

 

Go forth to a land that I will show you… And I will bless you! (Genesis 12)

 

One ordinary day in mid-September, 2019, the 38 sisters living in Methuen were called to gather together after lunch for a meeting with Sister Helene Cote, the Provincial, who had an announcement to make that was quite extraordinary. After more than 60 years, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary would be leaving Methuen and the property of the former Searles Estate would then be put up for sale. In addition, because two residences were discovered by the hard work of Sister Helene and her Council, the move for the majority of the sisters would occur between the months of October and November. The “fingerprints of God” were all over the discovery of these two residences where the sisters could live in large groups, and so the “journey of faith” began.

The 10 sisters in need of skilled nursing care living at the infirmary found a very comfortable and welcoming new home at Saint Joseph Convent in Biddeford Maine, a residence and infirmary for the Good Shepherd Sisters (SCIM). The sisters left in pairs every two weeks, much like the disciples and our first founding sisters. The first two sisters left on October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the final group arrived at their new residence in the middle of the novena to the feast of the Presentation of Mary. The entire transition seemed to be wrapped in the mantle of the presence of Mary, the guardian of our Congregation.

To everyone’s delight, it was soon discovered that the atmosphere and the routine in this new residence was very similar to what the sisters have always lived. Every day but Saturday, the sisters gathered together for prayer and daily Eucharist as well as evening prayer. Since there are six different Congregations represented in the sisters who live here, there are many days of celebrating foundresses and foundation days, jubilees and feast days, all with special prayers, Eucharist, banquets, and decorations! The charism of each is highlighted and honored. Every holiday and holy day were marked by special events and gatherings, forming everyone into one, joy-filled family!

And then came the coronavirus… By mid-March, the facility was closed to visitors including the three priests who celebrated Eucharist for us. The need to limit the numbers and gatherings, though the schedule remains the same, most sisters followed prayer and Mass (CatholicTV online) over the intercom in their rooms. The community is fortunate to still have the distribution of Communion on a daily basis. Fewer sisters eat in the main dining room, while some sisters take their meals in smaller dining rooms or in their rooms. At the beginning, no activities were held but in the last few months, activities were held for some of the sisters: bingo, adult coloring, movies…The care given to all during this time has provided safety and a virus free environment! And for that, all are grateful and willing to cooperate.

Like Sarah and Abraham in their advanced age, the sisters heard God’s call: “Go forth to a land I will show you… And I will bless you!” And in this time of Congregational aging, the sisters have journeyed in great faith and continue daily to experience God’s blessing.

 

Go forth to a land that I will show you… And I will bless you! (Genesis 12)

 

One ordinary day in mid-September, 2019, the 38 sisters living in Methuen were called to gather together after lunch for a meeting with Sister Helene Cote, the Provincial, who had an announcement to make that was quite extraordinary. After more than 60 years, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary would be leaving Methuen and the property of the former Searles Estate would then be put up for sale. In addition, because two residences were discovered by the hard work of Sister Helene and her Council, the move for the majority of the sisters would occur between the months of October and November. The “fingerprints of God” were all over the discovery of these two residences where the sisters could live in large groups, and so the “journey of faith” began.

The 10 sisters in need of skilled nursing care living at the infirmary found a very comfortable and welcoming new home at Saint Joseph Convent in Biddeford Maine, a residence and infirmary for the Good Shepherd Sisters (SCIM). The sisters left in pairs every two weeks, much like the disciples and our first founding sisters. The first two sisters left on October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and the final group arrived at their new residence in the middle of the novena to the feast of the Presentation of Mary. The entire transition seemed to be wrapped in the mantle of the presence of Mary, the guardian of our Congregation.

To everyone’s delight, it was soon discovered that the atmosphere and the routine in this new residence was very similar to what the sisters have always lived. Every day but Saturday, the sisters gathered together for prayer and daily Eucharist as well as evening prayer. Since there are six different Congregations represented in the sisters who live here, there are many days of celebrating foundresses and foundation days, jubilees and feast days, all with special prayers, Eucharist, banquets, and decorations! The charism of each is highlighted and honored. Every holiday and holy day were marked by special events and gatherings, forming everyone into one, joy-filled family!

And then came the coronavirus… By mid-March, the facility was closed to visitors including the three priests who celebrated Eucharist for us. The need to limit the numbers and gatherings, though the schedule remains the same, most sisters followed prayer and Mass (CatholicTV online) over the intercom in their rooms. The community is fortunate to still have the distribution of Communion on a daily basis. Fewer sisters eat in the main dining room, while some sisters take their meals in smaller dining rooms or in their rooms. At the beginning, no activities were held but in the last few months, activities were held for some of the sisters: bingo, adult coloring, movies…The care given to all during this time has provided safety and a virus free environment! And for that, all are grateful and willing to cooperate.

Like Sarah and Abraham in their advanced age, the sisters heard God’s call: “Go forth to a land I will show you… And I will bless you!” And in this time of Congregational aging, the sisters have journeyed in great faith and continue daily to experience God’s blessing.