Marie-Rose School in St. Sauveur Village Celebrates 50 years

On May 25th, 2009, Marie-Rose School opened its doors to the public to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its founding.
 
In 1959, as the school population was exploding, the School Commission decided to build this school which was to be administered by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, who would also live in a separate section of the building. It was not the Order’s first initiative in St-Sauveur because, in 1921, they had already established a house in Lac Millette and another in the Village in 1927.
 
Sr. Elisabeth Gravel, the last Sister living in St-Sauveur, attended the celebration and shared many fond memories: her arrival there in 1962, the establishment of a choir in 1971, etc. She was quoted in an article of the local newspaper, "Accès", which was covering the event, "What is special about Marie-Rose School is that the tradition of excellence instilled by the Sisters still continues today, as seen in the balance given to the arts and sports as well as to teaching.
 
A happy coincidence: When the director of pastoral ministry in the school called Marie-Rose Centre for information on the Order’s foundress, she spoke to Sr. Simone Perras.  Upon recognizing her, the woman exclaimed, "Oh! You taught me when I was at St. Lambert!"  Then, she was very proud to give a tour of the historical sites to her three teenagers.
 
                                                    Information provided by Jacqueline Longtin, snjm