Mary Louis Academy of New York City Lands in Le Puy

Every group that comes to the Centre brings with it a different spirit from all the other groups. It is an amazing and beautiful thing to witness, and as staff we are especially privileged to do so. The alumni group from Mary Louis Academy of New York City (Jamaica Estates in Queens) is a good example. Perhaps it was their bonds from school over the years. Perhaps it was their connection and appreciation of their education. Perhaps it was just the make-up of individuals in the group at this particular time and space. 

This was the school's first international alumni trip and, of course, they wanted it to be in Le Puy. The development office headed by Sean Belon, Director of Academy Advancement, and Judy Belon, Assistant Director of Advancement, worked to make the trip a reality together with Principal Ann O’Hagan-Cordes.


At the Centre

The alumni of Mary Louis Academy arrived at the Centre in the afternoon where they took a tour of the building, had some refreshments, and then conducted an amazing spontaneous discussion about their quality of their experience at the school. Principal Ann O’Hagan-Cordes started the conversation with a short talk about the Academy, then the group took it from there. It engaged in "state of the heart" sharing, which was emotional and appreciative of the education they received and the relationships they had with the Brentwood sisters who served at the school.

Principal Ann O’Hagan-Cordes

Sean and Frank, guide of the group

Le Puy

On Saturday, the group visited the city. They climbed the Notre Dame statue as well as St. Michel. They visited the exhibitions at the Crozatier Museum. They ate in local restaurants, and sipped coffee or cold drinks at various cafés. At night, they checked out the luminaries (light shows projected onto various city buildings.)

Rebecca and Sr. Joan were asked to bring up the gifts at the Cathedral Mass.

Sunday began with a tour of Notre Dame Cathedral of Le Puy followed by 10:30 Mass. The group climbed 134 steps to the Cathedral, but stopped along the way to marvel at the view. 


Frank served as the group's guide throughout their pilgrimage in France. Frank is originally from Paris but now lives in Nice with his Italian wife. He has been a guide for over 20 years. 

Walking through the city on the same streets as our early sisters was a very enriching experience for the group. 

Kitchen and Scenography

Sisters Elizabeth, Joan, and Kathy

After a brief "tour" of the Kitchen regarding the lifestyle and history of the founding sisters, the group asked the three sisters to tell the story of what made them enter the Sisters of St. Joseph. The visit ended with silent prayer and the Brentwood sisters' song.

Members of the group listened intently to each other's experience of the Kitchen.

The group visited the Living History Centre and learned about the historical context of the foundation of the Sisters of St. Joseph starting from 1550, one hundred years before the founding of the Congregation. They were better able to understand how the sisters came to help form the Apostolic Movement of the Church as well as to get a sense of how the Congregation evolved after the French Revolution. Before coming to Le Puy, the group had visited Lyon where Mother St. John Fontbonne lived and worked. They visited the Lyon sisters' Living History Centre and Mother St. John's gravesite. They also visited Old Lyon and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.

 

Closing

The last stop of the tour was the Église du College, the Jesuit-founded church where Father Medaille once preached. After a brief explanation of the prominent features of the church, the group sat in the first few pews for silent prayer. Maureen sang "Ave Maria" a cappella and moved the group with her beautiful voice. Maureen describes herself as a semi-professional singer who does religious music and jazz. The music was a fitting end to the group's three days in Le Puy. 

The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, New York, is a Catholic college preparatory school for young women founded in 1936 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York. The academic philosophy—rooted in the Sisters’ charism of unity, reconciliation, and all-inclusive love—emphasizes intellectual, social, and spiritual growth.  Dedicated teachers, academic quality, outstanding facilities, and committed students create an unparalleled school spirit.