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FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT OF MGR YVES LE SAUX
IN SAMOËNS
SUNDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2023
The preparation for the visit began about three months earlier, with boxes made available to the different communities in order to put in their questions. A group of leaders met with Father Bruno (Parish Priest) to outline the programme of the day and submitted it to the CPP (Parish Pastoral Council).
As planned, on the 1st of October, the bishop was welcomed by the CPP, during which the life of the different communities in the parish was shared. At 10.30am, Mgr Le Saux and Father Bruno celebrated the Eucharist.
The local civil authorities were present for the whole day.
We met other people from the neighbouring parishes and tourists. The songs were well chosen for the occasion, with the children leading the crowd.
At the offertory, representatives from each of the seven different church communities that make up the parish, brought an item which represents the life of the people living in these : cheese, sausages, skis, climbing belts, rope, cowbells, baskets of apples, clothes from a child care home, etc. Then a basket with the products of the Valley was offered to Mgr Yves Le Saux.
At the end of the mass, Dominique, who is in charge of the catechumens, invited Sister Tessy to come forward in front of the crowd. He thanked Sister for the six years she has been in Samoëns, and underlined her loving and smiling presence in accompanying the lay people. Then Sr. Tessy addressed the congregation, thanking the parishioners for having trusted her with the mission entrusted to her by Father Bruno.
The six form children gave a present to Sr Tessy.
Dominique also called on Sr Raymonde and Sr Monique to come forward and welcomed them on behalf of the whole parish.
At the end of the mass, the festivities continued with drinks and socialising, which was well attended. Then the whole crowd made their way to the community hall for the meal. Everyone had brought plenty of food, drinks, cheese, and cakes to share. The catechism children sang the blessing. The participants were so many so to make sure everyone had a place, the youth went to get more tables.
This shared meal created a friendly, fraternal atmosphere of trust and camaraderie. This simple atmosphere continued right through to coffee. Then Carline (the person responsible for preparation for baptism) addressed the bishop with the questions from the boxes prepared earlier. With simplicity and accuracy, Bishop Yves answered all the questions, even those that came from the civil authorities.
It was a full and pleasant day for everyone who was present. Everyone was filled with joy and gratitude. To conclude, the children and the adults sang: "Jesus, You are here, You are with us, and I thank You."