The French Associates met together in Evron on 25th March 2006.

The group welcomed a new member, Jean-Luc, who quickly felt at ease. He already knew a lot of people as he had worked with them during the summer of 2004. The associates first of all read the letter addressed to them by the Superior General of the Congregation of Our Lady of Evron announcing that the General Chapter would be taking place from 31st July to 18th August 2006. The associates from the different countries where the Congregation is present received the same letter inviting them to see how, as lay people, they can take part in the preparation of this ecclesial event. For many years these people have reflected with the sisters and have tried to make their own the inspiration of Perrine Thulard who founded the Congregation in 1682; they elaborate and put into effect practical projects to help the missions and the elderly sisters.

At this meeting the associates worked on a questionnaire similar to the one the sisters in the different countries have been working on. They also voted in a secret vote to name two spokes persons who will go to the Chapter to communicate the fruit of the reflection done by the associates in France and the other countries. There will be two more meetings before the summer to finish synthesising the work for this presentation.

The 4 points on which they reflected were: strong convictions, conversions to be realised, possible opportunities for reconciliation, ways of achieving greater solidarity. We listened to some beautiful testimonies to pardon and reconciliation within the family, in the name of their Christian faith. The possibility for sharing in depth and sincerity between lay people and religious is a great help to those taking part. Our lay friends do not hesitate to say how much the Word of God becomes alive when it is shared in this way and how much listening to others helps them to be generous in their daily lives. Truly, they "support one another" as Francis de Sales would say. As Sisters of Evron, this coming together stimulates us and we are really grateful to our lay friends.

The Associates in France intend taking practical measures to help the Congregation‚s missions and with this in mind they are going to organise a second hand sale at the beginning of July. They also intend giving a face-lift to the cemetery in the grounds of the Mother House in Evron.