The French Institute sisters spent time around many tables over the weekend of November 8-10. One of the most important tables was the 90th birthday celebration of Sr. Odile.
The party began with an aperitif of champagne and tapanade.
The main dish was tartiflette (potatoes and cheese), baked squash, and osso buco, followed by a cheese course, and birthday cake for dessert.
Osso buco and baked squash.
The sisters asked Sr. Odile to give a summary of each decade of her life. Among them was her service as a teacher and 18 years in leadership.
Crossing generations, Sr. Anne, novice, presents Sr. Odile with a birthday cake as Sr. Bernadette, another former Superior General, looks on.
Sr. Marie Claire brought another birthday cake as Sr. Odile showed her appreciation for these loving gestures.
Sr. Odile read a poem she wrote about a simple word that helps create relationships: merci (thank you). She then passed out copies of the poem to everyone present.
As an act of community bonds, Sr. Marie Claire tied ribbons around the sisters' wrists while Sr. Bernadette offered everyone chocolate with their after-dinner coffee.
The sisters extended birthday greetings to Sr. Odile, one of their favorites.
The meal ended in prayer around a painting and St. Joseph statue (by Sr. Mary Southard), a simple candle, and the plant the sisters had given Sr. Odile.
After dinner and prayer, the sisters met in the reception room for a "French salon" while the younger sisters climbed St. Michel.
Novices
The weekend also allowed the Institut's two novices to become acquainted with the International Centre, the Kitchen and Living History Centre, and Le Puy itself.
On Friday night, Olga made Sicilian pasta and eggplant parmesan. The meal also included salad, cheese, and a tart de pomme dessert.
On Saturday afternoon the sisters "gathered around the table" and offered prayers in the Kitchen.
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| Geneviève plays the flute at the Kitchen |
On Saturday night, we all gathered around the table to play a French card game called "Gare de Vacheries." It was great fun!!
The sisters all pitched in to clear the tables, sweep the floor, put away the leftovers, and wash the dishes.
