Resource destined for the Spanish speakers of the region
The Marist Brothers have had their provincial house in Drummondville for almost a dozen years, following the complete restructuring of theProvinces of Québec and Iberville. Now the provincial administration is going to leave Drummondville and the Brothers will move to Iberville. But they generously proposed to the parishes of the region to keep their Drummondville house open if they could come up with a project. The parishes have suggested some involvement with the Spanish speaking community, which numbers more than a thousand people. Faithful to their word, the Marists have invited 3 Brothers from their international community to move to Drummondville with the aim of providing a presence for these new arrivals who have taken up residence there.
The Brothers will work with youth, families, the elderly, according to the needs. The Committee forLatino family ministry (COPAFAL) will, therefore, be well accompanied in its mission. Brother Félix Roldán, of Spanish origin but having almost always worked in Latin America, joins the team with Brothers Hugo Rivera of Mexico and Denis Croteau. In the course of their careers, the Brothers have been animators or directors of schools, colleges, universities. Each has a very rich experience. They will help with the integration of the new arrivals, on the social level as much as through more pastoral contacts.
COPAFAL is composed of persons with various roots: Québec, Colombia, Mexico… Father Luc Lafond is a member and he presides as well at the Eucharistic celebration in Spanish every last Sunday of the month at 4 pm in the chapel of the Church of St-Frédéric. The Committee also counts on the support of the diocese of Nicolet in the person of Catherine Lindenberger, who succeeds Guy Lebel.
Since their arrival, the Brothers have been becoming familiar with the resources of the milieu and with the new inhabitants of the city.
The Marist residence is situated in the former St-Jean-Baptiste presbytery at 100 11th Avenue
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Contact: Yves Grondin – Pastoral worker
N.B Yves Grondin, as municipal councillor, is also president of the Committee of Arts, Culture and Immigration for the City of Drummondville