Créteil Community, in the District of France, has a new look for a few months. Sister Marie Bernadette Delpierre, Superior of the District of France, makes us discover it.
Since 2016, the Spiritan Sisters have a community in Créteil, a small apartment in a popular area of this city of about 90,000 inhabitants.
During a visit, Bishop Dominique Blanchet, new Bishop of the Diocese of Créteil, judged the housing of the Sisters somewhat cramped. The Diocese then proposed another apartment in the same neighborhood and on the same parish. A new place of life located 200 meters from Saint Michel’s church, on the third floor of a building. Some painting and landscaping work was necessary. It took a lot of patience and finally the new Bethany of the Sisters was ready.
Meanwhile, Sister Bernadette Gadan joined the Retirement Home ‘Africa’ in Nogent, and the Sisters Luísa Nancali Tchombe and Eldy Maryland Baziétassa, who had received their obedience for Créteil, were on vacation. Advent 2023, for Sister Maria Gloria da Silva Lopes, was marked by the expectation of the new community. Moving in and moving out followed, Christmas arrived, and so did Eldy and Luísa. The development of a new community gives a lot of work and worries, but also a lot of joy for the Missionaries that we are.
Interior of the Chapel of the Spiritan Sisters in Créteil. From left to right, Sisters Luisa Nancali Tchombe, Eldy Maryland Baziétassa and Maria Glória da Silva Lopes, Father Marc Lulle and Bishop Dominique Blanchet.
On January 5th 2024, Bishop Dominique Blanchet, accompanied by Father Marc Lulle, Parish Priest of Saint Michel de Mont-Mesly, (the parish for our Sisters of Créteil Community), came to celebrate the first mass, place Jesus Eucharist in the tabernacle and bless the new house. Bishop Blanchet reminds the Sisters that we are in the time of Christmas and, since they are called to live communion with the People in whose midst they are, they will be witnesses of the Incarnation by praying and sharing with all.
Notre-Dame de Créteil Cathedral
Indeed, the neighbors are many, young people, families and students. From different religions and origins, these neighbors are at the heart of personal and community prayer. The Sisters team up with the priests of the parish. Together, they carry the mission through the celebration oj Mass, and they come to pray Lauds with the Sisters Community, twice a week. Sisters Eldy and Luísa are already well engaged in youth ministry, with the Chaplaincy and diocesan and inter-diocesan gatherings. Father Marc entrusted them with the preparation of children for the First Communion. The Sisters are involved in parish ministry, without abandoning social ministry. They participate in the Secours Populaire and visit isolated or elderly people.
Sister Marie-Bernadette Delpierre