SOEUR BERENICE BEGIN (S. MADELEINE DE PAZZI)

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SOEUR BERENICE BEGIN (S. MADELEINE DE PAZZI) Le 9 aout a 20h45, Soeur Berenice Begin rendait sa vie a son Createur a lage de 88 ans dont 62 de vie religieuse. Apres avoir participe, le 7 aout, a la celebration du Centenaire de la fondation de notre Congregation, les Missionnaires Oblates, elle fit une chute et se fractura une jambe. Son etat de sante compliqua la situation quelle ne put vaincre. Son bonheur est maintenant complet. Berenice est nee a St-Isidore de Dorchester, QC, le 4 avril 1916 et fut baptisee le lendemain. Son pere, Joseph Begin et sa mere Exilia Gagne setablirent a St-Isidore ou ils furent cultivateurs et commercants. Ils firent a notre monde le cadeau de 16 enfants : 4 garcons et 12 filles dont Berenice qui est la huitieme. En plus de sa Congregation, les Missionnaires Oblates, elle laisse dans le deuil six soeurs, un frere, quatre beaux-freres, une belle-soeur, de nombreux neuveux, nieces et ami.e.s. Berenice entra chez les Missionnaires Oblates le 1er septembre 1939. Durant la majeure partie de sa vie, elle fut preposee a la garde des enfants dans nos pensionnats. Elle etait aimee des enfants a qui elle prodiguait des attentions maternelles. Elle etait de nature pieuse et tres devouee, rayonnant la joie et la paix. Dans tous les cas de mesententes, elle aidait a faire la reconciliation avant le coucher du soleil. Chere Berenice, tu continues detre des notres de la-haut. Ta memoire reste gravee dans nos coeurs et nous rappellerons souvent ton souvenir entre nous. Avec toi nous continuons de chanter ce refrain que tu faisais tien: "Nous te louons, Splendeur du Pere, Jesus, Fils de Dieu." Et ce pain que tu aurais eu le gout de petrir encore, petrie-le chez le Pere et nourris-en nous! Adieu! Au revoir. Les prieres auront lieu le samedi 14 aout 2004, a 10 h en la chapelle des Missionnaires Oblates au 601 rue Aulneau. Les funerailles suivront au meme endroit a 10 h 30. Le Pere Albert Bouffard, omi, presidera la celebration. Les arrangements funebres sont confies au salon Cropo. Linhumation aura lieu au cimetiere de la rue Archibald, a St-Boniface. SISTER BERENICE BEGIN (S. MADELEINE DE PAZZI) On August 9 2004, at 8:45 p.m., Sister Berenice Begin went back to her Creator at the age of 88 after 62 years of religious life. On August 7, after having participated in the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the founding of our Congregation, the Missionary Oblate Sisters, she had a fall and fractured a leg. Her poor state of health complicated the situation, which she was unable to overcome. Berenice was born in St. Isidore, Dorchester, QC on April 4, 1916 and was baptized the following day. Her father, Joseph Begin and her mother, Exilia Gagne earned their living on the farm and as merchants. They gave to our world the wonderful gift of 16 children: 4 boys and 12 girls, of which Berenice was the eighth. Besides her religious Congregation, she leaves to mourn her passing six sisters, one brother, one sister-in-law, four brothers-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Berenice joined the Missionary Oblates on September 1, 1939. During most of her life as an Oblate she was affected to the care of the young children in our boarding schools. She was loved by the children on whom she lavished her maternal attention. By nature she was prayerful and devoted, always radiating peace and joy. In every instance of misunderstanding she would take the first step towards reconciliation before the days end. Dear Berenice, you are still one of ours from where you are in Gods embrace. Your memory is engraved in our hearts. With you, we will continue to sing your favourite prayer to God: "We praise you, Splendour of the Father, Jesus, Son of God." And that bread that you wished you could still knead - Knead it in the Fathers House and nurture us with it! Adieu! Au revoir! Prayers will be recited on Saturday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of the Missionary Oblate Sisters, 601 Aulneau St. Funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m. at the same address. Fr. Albert Bouffard, omi, will preside the celebration. Interment will take place in the cemetery on Archibald Street. The Cropo Funeral Chapel are in charge of the funeral arrangements, phone number 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 13, 2004