News - Press Center - English RSS Feed

The International Centre Board met on September 17-19 with five members in person and three members on Zoom who were unable to be present in Le Puy.

At its September meeting, the Board thanked Sr. Ieda for her service as president and member of the Executive Committee for several years.

For over the 12 months, Novitiate Community of the Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph had tried numerous times to visit the Centre. Their plans, however, were dashed by coronavirus restrictions and lock-downs. In May, they were finally able to travel from Lyon to Le Puy—and they even brought a picnic lunch of sandwiches, salad, cheese, dessert, and Muscat wine.

Flowers are popping out all over and the garden is growing: tomatoes, pumpkins, and cabbage.

Last spring, France began vaccinating millions of people to protect them from the coronavirus. Eluiza and Olga received their shots in May and June.

At its April meeting, the International Centre Board decided to close the Centre for the 2021 season. Concerns and uncertainty about the health and safety of visitors traveling to France from many parts of the world during the coronavirus pandemic made this decision necessary. The Board, however, is already looking to the future and wants to use this year to advance new initiatives at the Centre.

The Living History Centre is now posted in Powerpoint.

Nineteen sheep arrived in small groups starting on April 9 to munch grass in the backyard of the International Centre. By April 24, they had eaten all the grass and moved on to a 15-hectare (37 acres) pasture.

Last June’s flood damaged the ceiling and walls of the Community Room. This made it necessary to repair the leaks and to paint and re-paper the room. For 7 days, Philippe and his apprentice, Enzo, worked diligently to produce a beautiful result. The nature-oriented theme of the room provides a warm, bright, and welcoming feel. We look forward to the days when we can share this room with you.

Here is a collage of our celebrations

We are mindful that across the globe, many will be mourning loved ones lost to COVID–19 and many will be without family and friends, due to COVID–19 restrictions. This Christmas, many hundreds of thousands will be homeless, without food, shelter, comfort and safety, due to devastating natural disasters, warfare, political injustice and unrest. We hope that the video and music resources below will offer some comfort, real hope and a spark of joy. More than that, we pray that these resources will make a world of difference, in as much as they might draw people into the warm loving presence of Emmanuel, God who is with us, in and through it all.

The Advent cry from the Prophet Isaiah holds new meaning for our times and greater urgency because of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of such extreme suffering and heartache as a result of COVID-19, as well as the economic, political, social unrest and uncertainty across our world, together with the devastating impact of climate change on our planet and our lives, we hope and pray these video and music resources will comfort you and your communities in your waiting, hoping and longing!

On Friday, October 30, France reluctantly went back into lock-down due to the coronavirus.

The Institute of the Sisters of St. Joseph (France) brought health care leaders of their senior citizens’ residences to the Centre for a day-long meeting and a meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Sr. Monique Vallon, president of the Institute (third from left) was present as well.

Every three years the Centre changes its leased car. In May 2020, we were expecting our new car, however, the coronavirus delayed our order until August. This new car, a Renault Captur, is similar to our old car only it is more technological.

We launched our new website on August 18. Cindy Russell from e-Catholic was our consultant and all our work was accomplished through Zoom.

One of our “past-times” during this season without guests or visitors has been the testing of interesting new recipes. We have experimented with many international dishes including Chinese, Thai, Moroccan, Middle Eastern, Italian, Mexican, French, and American. Click to see examples of our best attempts.

We had a little excitement one sunny Friday afternoon in June when the sheep escaped their pasture due to a weakness of the fence that encloses them. We had to chase the sheep back into pasture.

See the video

Last fall we almost lost the magazine table that sits in the foyer of the Centre.