Par
Jean-Claude Bonnemère
Published on
Jan 19, 2025 at 7:00 a.m.
“To think that the priest, Father Jean-Baptiste Digeon, feared that there would be no people for this mass organized on a Saturday in the middle of the afternoon! » exclaims this parishioner, while benches and chairs had to be added and the last arrivals had to go up to the platform, which was also filled shortly after the opening of the celebration. Another element which did not fail to surprise this Saturday January 11, 2025, upon entering the church “ Saint Joseph Worker » of the parish group of Biars-sur-Cère – Bretenouxit was joy that lit up the faces!
Joy of Mr. the priest, happy to welcome the parishioners in front of the church, joy of Mgr Laurent Camiade recently arrived from Cahors, joy of the elected officials to take part in this celebration and joy again for all those who participated in one way or another to the completion of the work and the organization of the ceremony.
At the first notes given by Geoffrey, a brilliant organist, Vincent sang in full voice the opening song “People of God, city of Emmanuel” taken up by an enthusiastic assembly, the choir and the musicians. Altar boys, priests (Father Digeon, Father Christian Durand and Father François Gerfaud), preceding the bishop, went up the nave in procession to the altar, where Father René Rougié awaited them. In the front rows were elected officials from the two communes, including Mme Angèle Préville mayor of Biars and Pierre Moles mayor of Bretenoux.
Three women pillars of renovation
At the end of the celebration, Father Jean-Baptiste Digeon took the floor to recall the main points of this adventure which constituted the design, financing and scheduling of the renovation work of the church; a project started almost two years ago and brought to fruition thanks to the conjunction of a large number of people of good will. Not without humor, the abbot began by declaring: “After the renovation of ND of Paris, here is the renovation of Saint Joseph the Worker for Biars”. Bursts of laughter!
Father Digeon then launched into a vast overview of thanks, citing by name the people involved in the parish and the locality, who have made a contribution in one way or another. It begins with the team responsible for monitoring the work; three ladies, the kingpins of this project. “I would like to thank them for their great involvement, which made it possible to achieve the result we are looking at today. Thank you, Cécile, Marie-Christine and Maryline”
-Many people participated in the development of this project, according to their talent, their material generosity, as well as in terms of availability and energy. Father Digeon also does not forget those who died without having seen the result of the work undertaken.
In addition to the designers, advisors and financiers, Father Digeon solemnly salutes the companies that intervened. His remarks are punctuated by asides; so many opportunities for him to talk about a family event. The priest cultivates relationships with his flock. To each and every one, he extends his warm thanks. The overall cost of this renovation amounts to more than 70,000 euros. He ends:
“Thank you all, thank you to each of you for your presence on this parish feast day. This Saint-Joseph-Ouvrier church has a history anchored in the region and continues to live through our religious celebrations where everyone can use the grace necessary to root themselves in faith and hope. »
“The beauty of churches, reflection of a living faith”
In his homily, Mgr Camiade exalted the importance of the beauty of churches as a reflection of a living faith and the spirituality of believers. He highlighted the role of craftsmen and volunteers in the beautification of churches, the spiritual significance of building churches, and the importance of the altar in the Eucharistic life.
He specifies: “I note that all those who have the opportunity to work to make a church more beautiful, whether they are building craftsmen, decorators, artists, or even volunteers, who do the cleaning, who put flowers, or prepare the celebrations, those who make liturgical music, or so many other things, all… give us the joy of having the opportunity to put their talent at the service of God. »
Beauty is presented as a way of opening hearts to the mystery of God and of manifesting the holiness of Catholic rites. It is a means of attracting the faithful to a deeper spiritual experience. “The church must be well maintained and welcoming; the care that is taken to make it more beautiful is a sign of the living faith of those who gather there” further affirmed the Bishop of Cahors. Taking the example of the body composed of several members, he evokes the church whose construction is the assembly of numerous stones constituting the building. The Bishop of Cahors indicates: “The church building is an image of what we must be, living stones. As a Christian community, we are called to become a construction founded on Christ”, before adding: “We should never forget that one day, we are called to live together in fraternal love with God , in the kingdom of heaven. Our life on earth is designed to prepare us for it. The churches are a beautiful sign of this. »
Contact Parish group of Bretenoux – Biars-sur-Cère, 34 rue Pasteur in Biars: Sarah Traoré: 05 65 38 43 87
Secretariat hours: Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Thursday 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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