Report from the heart of a Christmas Eve offered to lonely souls by a parish in Orne

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Christiane is alone this Christmas Eve. His five children all live far from L'Aigle (Orne), each has a family, children, a job, that's how life goes. At 72 years old, Christiane does not remain alone on this particular evening. It found its place within the parish of Saint Martin de L'Aigle church. She is practicing, even fervent. She says “I like everything religious”.

This Christmas Eve evening, she will spend it with other people who responded to the invitation of father Loïc Gicquel des Touches. Single people or people wishing to share a New Year's Eve meal are welcomed at the parish house.

A moment for lonely people

At 8:30 p.m., after mass, they arrive. Everyone brought what they could for the meal. Bread, cheeses, aperitifs, a bottle of sparkling wine. The idea is to share a moment together by pooling so that everyone has a real festive meal. Father Loïc Gicquel des Touches celebrates his first Christmas at The Eagle. He arrived in the parish in September, and he happily took up his predecessor's idea

A meal to give single people the opportunity to share a fraternal moment on Christmas Eve, a very important time for the faithful

A desire to speak

Thierry is 60 years old, and has an eventful life to tell. Placed in a foster family at the age of three, in Gacé, he had to leave this family at the age of 21. He did all the jobs, in industryIn logisticshe was handyman in hospitals, in schools. He spent three years in the army.

Everyone talks about their story

Thierry is alone this evening. So he decided to come here to find some warmth, and to be able to talk. He didn't want to stay alone in the house he just bought, because everything is under construction there. It’s a big house, but everything needs to be renovated, all the rooms need to be redone.” We suspect that for a Christmas Eve, there are warmer places.

New Year's Eve is a special time

Christelle takes care of her father, but tonight she decided to make an exception, and think of herself. Her father encouraged her to go out. This evening she decided to come here to see people and not think about her illness anymore. She came with Christiane, whom she met at the choir.

Christelle was saleswoman in stores of clothes on L'Aigle, but she has been on disability for almost ten years now. So of course, she sees fewer people. Here she rediscovers the pleasure of sharing a meal, without thinking about everyday life. Everyone has their worries but no one came to complain, no.

A moment of communion and pleasure.

The children of Jean are in Paris, he is also alone this evening of December 24. He came to live in L'Aigle since Covid. This evening he rediscovers the pleasure of a large table, the pleasure of chatting and letting people taste what he brought, chicken and fragrant rice. Everyone helps prepare the meal.

Everyone does according to their possibilities

In the kitchen or in the dining room, everything is installed in the blink of an eye. Edith et Michel are regulars at the parish house, they are both active around the table. It feels like with family.

Xavier also lends a helping hand while laughing. There is also Jean-Marie Zoromthe priest of Burkina Faso who is in France for 5 years, serving the diocese.

A moment of exchange more than a meal

The conversation is lively this evening. We talk politics, we talk about familyof the past year, of his projects, of mutual friends. Everyone wants to talk to their neighbor. Everything is an opportunity for discussion, that's the most important thing. Regardless of the menu, we will remember this moment of sharing.

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