USA Vice Province Assembly and Farewell to Bay Shore
[FR]
BAY SHORE, USA - On 30th April, 2026, members of the Vice Province of USA gathered in Bay Shore for an assembly. Since the property is being sold, this was a great opportunity to celebrate the presence of the SMM on the property and express gratitude to God for all who taught, grew and shared in the mission within Bay Shore, New York area for 100 years (from 1926-2026).
During the assembly, members spent time exploring multiple possibilities of where the provincial house and community would be. After looking at several properties we settled on two possible locations; one to be rented and another to be bought. The former is a rectory within the diocese of Rockville Centre, where the Montfortians have been in mission since 1903. The latter, unexpectedly available to be bought, is the present provincial house of Daughters of wisdom, also located in the Diocese of Rockville Centre. Led by Fr. Thom, the Provincial, the members entered into a lively discussion on what should be a new Provincial House and community home.
After a fruitful discussion on the new provincial house, we went for Mass in the small chapel on the third floor of our building. In his homily, the provincial, talked about risks that the disciples took in bearing witness to the risen Lord. He went on to say, any decision that is made is a risk that we take but we count on God to lead us.
Then, all the members shared a delicious meal and fellowship. Members who had their formation in Bay Shore shared their experiences of how great and impactful the place was in their lives.
After the meal we gathered in the second-floor chapel of the incarnation. This is the chapel that Montfort missionaries since 1963 have used in celebrating Mass. This is the chapel that minor seminarians gathered to listen and talk to God, it is the chapel that we said goodbye to confreres who died. It is the chapel where many retreatants over the years have come to offer their prayers to God. This space has become empty because the pews and statues have found a new home, and all that is left is the altar. Around this altar we gathered. Around this altar, we recited the Holy Rosary focusing on the mystery of the Pentecost. Around this sacred altar, the provincial led the reflection, recalling all the experiences that we had. Then he led this prayer:
I Leave you in peace, O Holy Altar, and I hope to return to you in peace. May the offering I have received from you be for the forgiveness of my faults and the remission of my sins, that I may stand without shame or fear before the throne of Christ. I do not know if I shall be able to return to you again to offer another sacrifice. I leave you in peace. (This is a Prayer of bidding Farewell to the altar from Maronite Tradition)
Then Fr. Thom invited us to come to the altar to reverence it as we do at the beginning of the liturgy and the ending of the liturgy. After this moment, we paused for a moment of silence. And the evening concluded with the singing of Salve Regina.
Edited by Fr. Berna, SMM
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