Several “strong” sisters have long surpassed these milestones. The retirement community at Froyennes, Belgium recently joined Sisters Marie Roseline Joostens and Anne Marguerite Menu to celebrate their 100th birthdays. At the retirement community, Shalom, in Bexley Heath, England Sister Rita Philomena Rafferty celebrated her 102nd birthday in February.
Sister Laurette DeChamplain of the United States Province celebrated her 100th birthday in September, while her cousin, Sister Adrienne DeChamplain turned 101 in May 2022.
Here is further information about these sisters.
Sr. Marie Roseline taught for many years as well as served as an administrator in a junior school. In her 70’s she went to Haiti where she continued to teach French to secondary school students and seminarians. After retiring to Froyennes, she led the sisters in different activities.
Sr. Anne Marguerite spent her religious life in Belgium. She cared for the boys who were boarding students at the junior school in Kain. She served as a cook in the community in Tournai. Later she moved to the retirement community at Froyennes where she continued to assist with meal preparation.
Sister Rita Philomena was a native of Ireland who spent all her religious life in England. A math teacher for many years, she also served as superior at Highgate Road in London. Queen Elizabeth sent greetings on her 100th birthday two years ago. She continues to write to sisters of her province who are living in different areas of the Congregation.
Sister Adrienne DeChamplain spent her early years as a teacher in Holy Union primary schools and gave violin lessons to students after school. After advanced studies in Scripture, she taught and lectured to adult group on the Bible.
Sister Laurette DeChamplain was a gifted French teacher who conducted her classes entirely in French. She studied in France and brought her students there where they could put their language skills to good use. One summer she traveled to Cameroon to teach French to the young Holy Union Sisters.
