The "Phare de Longueuil" highlighted the quality of Sr. Suzanne Leclaire’s commitment
Sr. Suzanne Leclaire SNJM, President of the Board of Le Phare de Longueuil, was visibly moved as she completed her mandate.
The leaders of the organization were eager to highlight the significant contribution by Sister Suzanne during her six years of commitment.
One person wrote: “Thank you for your joyful, unassuming and faithful service. Others emphasized “her compassionate presence and gentle but firm leadership”
Graciously accepting these words of gratitude, Sr. Suzanne said how greatly she appreciated with these wonderful people with whom she had shared the mission of this organization albeit with the many challenges they had faced during those years. Bishop Lionel Gendron, of the Diocese of Saint Jean-Longueuil and auxiliary Bishop Claude Hamelin along with several members of the Phare de Longueuil attended this farewell event.
The Phare de Longueuil was founded in 1999 by a group of students at Cégep Édouard-Montpetit with the help of the pastoral animator. The organization is geared to youth 16 to 35 years of age.
It offers young adults the opportunity of “spending time with marginalized people in a safe and educational environment.” They can “face their own social prejudices…play a preventative role in the face of various social problems that young people are confronted with…be an inspiring presence, promote the awakening integral development of these people so that they can become better citizens.”
With such a mission focused on the integral development of the person, we understand why Sr. Suzanne Leclaire was so enthusiastically committed to the work of Le Phare de Longueuil. Her quality of commitment was appreciated in many ways, as evidenced by this testimony: "I will always remember your smile during your years of service”.
