Day of great jubilation on August 7, 2025, in the community of Polignac (Haute-Loire)

We have been waiting for “this happy day for a long time”, and we have been thinking about organising a thanksgiving celebration shared by all.

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart (managers of a Paradis nursing home in Espaly – very close to our community) welcome us fraternally every day for the Eucharistic celebration.

The announcement of this centenary is a source of joy for everyone. The Eucharist will be celebrated in the very modern chapel, with several resident priests and friends.

The Chapel, on the ground floor, can hold the usual managers of the house, but also, about thirty faithful. Residents, our sisters and our friends were welcome.

The Mass was concelebrated by seven of our priest friends, the families or people closest to the community participated; Sister Dominique Marie Sert representing Retournac, Sister Jeannine Ardaillon Ste Sigolène, Sister Odile Demur and Sister Marie-Thérèse Cuoq on family vacation, and Sister Marie Aimée Magnier, former pupil of Marie Jo in Soissons.

The solemn mass was quiet because of the timetable of the nursing home; the meal etcetera. We had chosen, for the occasion, the texts and songs dear to Marie Jo.

Ephesians 1 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Christ.” ... » 

Jn 15;12 “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Abide in my Love.”

At Communion “Only grant me to love you.”

The accessible car park and a beautiful spacious entertainment room, glazed on two sides and opening onto the outside, were available to us to share a glass of friendship (residents, guests, priests, staff...)  It was up to us to make it festive and enjoyable.

The wine of the region, Rosé, and the varied buffet composed of toasts, cold cuts of meat, biscuits, canopies and raw vegetables were widely appreciated by the participants.

The Mayor of Polignac, who was unable to come, delegated a deputy in charge of social affairs, who knew the community. He presented the wishes of the municipality and gave Sr. Marie Jo a booklet on Polignac.

With exact timing, the guests then went to the IBIS restaurant.

So here we were, 24 people close to Marie Jo, priests and a brother of the Sacred Heart, a nephew of Marie Jo and his wife, an associate -a great old friend of Bar-le-Duc-, a couple who are friends of the community, all seated at two parallel tables. Marie Jo designed the table plan and above all she hand-painted the individualized place cards. They showed a great deal of precision work but above all attention to each person.

Finally, the time came to share the birthday cake made by the restaurant, with its three central candles (100) that Marie Jo blew out without any problem.  It was served with champagne offered by Yves Gérard, a Meuse priest and long-time friend.

100 YEARS

"I thank the Lord for my long life with Him."

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank those who have shown me friendship."

Marie Jo