August 17, 2026, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary of Quebec are heading to Sherbrooke to welcome our new Provincial, Sister Gisèle Patenaude, and her Council. For many of us, it’s a real reunion! Some haven’t seen each other since leaving the Mother House in 2022-2023. Today is a time for celebration and appreciation. In the morning, we take the time to greet each other, talk about events that have happened since our last meeting, and visit our sick sisters.

At midday, we sit in the dining room where a delicious lunch waits for us. The atmosphere is cheerful, simple, and fraternal.

Around 2 p.m., we head to the chapel for a moment of gratitude and to celebrate the start of Sister Gisèle Patenaude’s term and her new Council.

At first, each local community highlights in its own way the generosity, simplicity, warmth, and dedication with which Sister Angèle Dion carried out her work during a time of major changes. Then, after invoking the Holy Spirit and praying Psalm 26, we celebrate the rite of passing on the service of authority. Sister Angèle gives Sister Gisèle the lit candle, symbolizing her new role. In turn, Sister Gisèle shares the flame with her councilors: our sisters Francine Babin, assistant, Louise Benoît, Sylvie Dubois, and Marie-Marthe Laramée.

The celebration ends with the song ‘It’s Like a Fire’ and the Salve Regina. It’s already time to say goodbye! We won’t be forgetting this wonderful community day anytime soon.