Sr. Rhea Lachapelle (Sr. Louisa Marie) Eulogy
Delivered by Sr. Rose Clarisse Gadoury SSA
Marlborough, Massachusetts
May 1, 2014
Marlborough, Massachusetts
May 1, 2014
In the fourth "I AM" saying in the Gospel of John [9:11] Jesus says "I am the good Shepherd," and the psalmist completes the thought with the promise, " ... and nothing I shall want." This invitation became more than a metaphor for our Sister Rhea Lachapelle. She wrote, that it would describe and summarize her life. As we gather to remember the gift she was to us and to so many and to thank the Lord for her generous ninety-two years of life, seventy-one of which were lived in devoted consecration, we affirm that the saying that moved Rhea's heart, mind, and will is thoroughly fitting.
"Children become what they see," is a familiar psychological principle. Shepherding was firmly modeled by Rhea's beloved parents, Omer and Gertrude Dean-Lachapelle. In memories recalled from youthful and adolescent years, Rhea noted the most significant qualities that brought her Dad to mind. He was patient and kind, a good organizer with the willingness to give others credit for success, rather than to himself. Her Mother, Rhea remembered, possessed similar qualities of organization: she was helpful to anyone in need. She was generous and hospitable. Rhea's parents' solid relational and spiritual qualities, principles, and commitments governed their own Christian lives, and formed the heart, mind and soul of their only beloved child. We thank you, Lord, for the mystery of each individual's formation in the development of spirit created in your own image and likeness.
The Sisters of St. Anne taught and guided Rhea throughout her elementary and secondary years of study. They formed her inquisitive mind, and challenged her strong will. They impressed upon her the beauty of their own charism as teachers and shepherds. Enthusiasm and generosity soon awakened within Rhea's heart the possibility of a divine Call to follow Jesus in the footsteps of Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin. Thus, at age nineteen, motivated by the desire to "serve the Lord through service to His people, to save souls, and to seek her own path to sanctification," Rhea entered our novitiate in Lachine, Quebec. On July 24, 1942, her desires and anticipations were sealed through vows that would sustain her long and effective career. We thank you, Lord, for Your presence and grace that sustained Rhea's life and efforts throughout many long years of fidelity and service.
After five years of teaching at Luke Callahan School in Montreal, Rhea returned to the United States, her country of origin. A shepherding spirit, energized a long career of service, in various fields. Sister Rhea taught on elementary, junior high, and high school levels; she served as administrator and principal in her beloved Notre Dame School in Central Falls, R.1. as well as associate admissions officer and counselor at Anna Maria College. Her ardent professional life developed into a passionate engagement in numerable civic and professional associations: American Red Cross in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapters; Blackstone Valley Community Action Program; R.1. Association of Directors of Programs for the Elderly; Diocese of Providence Task Force for Elderly Programs; Alliance for Better Nursing Home Care; Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, in which she was a member of the national board of directors. In 1979, Rhea planted a small seed that blossomed into the Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program that soon grew to comprise close to five-hundred devoted volunteers, who, in time visited over 52,000 elderly and home-bound persons. In 1979, the cities of Central Falls and Providence issued a Sister Rhea Lachapelle Day Proclamation. In 1989, she was listed in "Who's Who of American Women." We thank you, Lord, for the talents, the generosity, and the passion that energized Sister Rhea's shepherding heart.
Sister Rhea demonstrated equal interest and commitment in our religious community life. Always thoroughly involved in our "life together," one could easily see her as "poster child" for our recent Chapter goal: "On Fire For Life" Her shepherding spirit was alive within communal settings; she served as local community coordinator, and on various committees. She was the contact person for a program she initiated as Leisure and Learning that provided organized programs for our own retired sisters and the sisters of various other Congregations. We can never forget the tireless efforts of Rhea and Sister Rita in shaping Camp Claire into a place of recreation and sabbath-rest during days of vacation, leisure and or retreat. Always the ardent learner, Sister Rhea, never stopped studying. She attended and participated in numerous programs of enhancement and gladly shared the knowledge and skills she gleaned from them.
Above all, Sister Rhea Lachapelle was a woman of God and a faithful Sister of St. Anne. Shepherding qualities marked her life of prayer and community participation. She was a strong believer in what was good, what could serve, what could enhance, and what could enliven our life together. Her commitment to the end of her life was energized and motivated by love and trust in Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd. In retirement years, Sister Rhea reveled in a visitor's presence and interests. Being an only child, Rhea was blessed in her relationship to Sister Rita DeRoy, a close collaborator in ministry, who became Rhea's life-long "soul friend." Throughout the challenge of Rhea's final years of diminishing health, Sister Rita's daily visits and support expressed the loyal and supportive affection of a true sister. We thank you, Lord, as you challenge us to "love one another as you have loved us. "
For every life, the test of familiar lyrics become reality: "Day is done, but Love unfailing dwells ever near. Shadows fall, but hope prevailing, calms ever fear." The Good Shepherd was moving in to lead His loved one back to the fold to enjoy the embrace of her beloved parents and all her sisters in Christ who awaited her home-coming with eagerness. Thus, on Sunday, April 27, the anticipated Province Jubilee Celebration took on an even more awesome meaning for Sister Rhea Lachapelle, as Jesus led her heart of Love's own making into an eternal jubilee. We pray: O Shepherd of souls, grant our Sister Rhea Lachapelle eternal rest and the fullness of your life and love forever.
Amen.
"Children become what they see," is a familiar psychological principle. Shepherding was firmly modeled by Rhea's beloved parents, Omer and Gertrude Dean-Lachapelle. In memories recalled from youthful and adolescent years, Rhea noted the most significant qualities that brought her Dad to mind. He was patient and kind, a good organizer with the willingness to give others credit for success, rather than to himself. Her Mother, Rhea remembered, possessed similar qualities of organization: she was helpful to anyone in need. She was generous and hospitable. Rhea's parents' solid relational and spiritual qualities, principles, and commitments governed their own Christian lives, and formed the heart, mind and soul of their only beloved child. We thank you, Lord, for the mystery of each individual's formation in the development of spirit created in your own image and likeness.
The Sisters of St. Anne taught and guided Rhea throughout her elementary and secondary years of study. They formed her inquisitive mind, and challenged her strong will. They impressed upon her the beauty of their own charism as teachers and shepherds. Enthusiasm and generosity soon awakened within Rhea's heart the possibility of a divine Call to follow Jesus in the footsteps of Blessed Marie-Anne Blondin. Thus, at age nineteen, motivated by the desire to "serve the Lord through service to His people, to save souls, and to seek her own path to sanctification," Rhea entered our novitiate in Lachine, Quebec. On July 24, 1942, her desires and anticipations were sealed through vows that would sustain her long and effective career. We thank you, Lord, for Your presence and grace that sustained Rhea's life and efforts throughout many long years of fidelity and service.
After five years of teaching at Luke Callahan School in Montreal, Rhea returned to the United States, her country of origin. A shepherding spirit, energized a long career of service, in various fields. Sister Rhea taught on elementary, junior high, and high school levels; she served as administrator and principal in her beloved Notre Dame School in Central Falls, R.1. as well as associate admissions officer and counselor at Anna Maria College. Her ardent professional life developed into a passionate engagement in numerable civic and professional associations: American Red Cross in the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Chapters; Blackstone Valley Community Action Program; R.1. Association of Directors of Programs for the Elderly; Diocese of Providence Task Force for Elderly Programs; Alliance for Better Nursing Home Care; Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, in which she was a member of the national board of directors. In 1979, Rhea planted a small seed that blossomed into the Neighborhood Friendly Visitor Program that soon grew to comprise close to five-hundred devoted volunteers, who, in time visited over 52,000 elderly and home-bound persons. In 1979, the cities of Central Falls and Providence issued a Sister Rhea Lachapelle Day Proclamation. In 1989, she was listed in "Who's Who of American Women." We thank you, Lord, for the talents, the generosity, and the passion that energized Sister Rhea's shepherding heart.
Sister Rhea demonstrated equal interest and commitment in our religious community life. Always thoroughly involved in our "life together," one could easily see her as "poster child" for our recent Chapter goal: "On Fire For Life" Her shepherding spirit was alive within communal settings; she served as local community coordinator, and on various committees. She was the contact person for a program she initiated as Leisure and Learning that provided organized programs for our own retired sisters and the sisters of various other Congregations. We can never forget the tireless efforts of Rhea and Sister Rita in shaping Camp Claire into a place of recreation and sabbath-rest during days of vacation, leisure and or retreat. Always the ardent learner, Sister Rhea, never stopped studying. She attended and participated in numerous programs of enhancement and gladly shared the knowledge and skills she gleaned from them.
Above all, Sister Rhea Lachapelle was a woman of God and a faithful Sister of St. Anne. Shepherding qualities marked her life of prayer and community participation. She was a strong believer in what was good, what could serve, what could enhance, and what could enliven our life together. Her commitment to the end of her life was energized and motivated by love and trust in Jesus, the ultimate Good Shepherd. In retirement years, Sister Rhea reveled in a visitor's presence and interests. Being an only child, Rhea was blessed in her relationship to Sister Rita DeRoy, a close collaborator in ministry, who became Rhea's life-long "soul friend." Throughout the challenge of Rhea's final years of diminishing health, Sister Rita's daily visits and support expressed the loyal and supportive affection of a true sister. We thank you, Lord, as you challenge us to "love one another as you have loved us. "
For every life, the test of familiar lyrics become reality: "Day is done, but Love unfailing dwells ever near. Shadows fall, but hope prevailing, calms ever fear." The Good Shepherd was moving in to lead His loved one back to the fold to enjoy the embrace of her beloved parents and all her sisters in Christ who awaited her home-coming with eagerness. Thus, on Sunday, April 27, the anticipated Province Jubilee Celebration took on an even more awesome meaning for Sister Rhea Lachapelle, as Jesus led her heart of Love's own making into an eternal jubilee. We pray: O Shepherd of souls, grant our Sister Rhea Lachapelle eternal rest and the fullness of your life and love forever.
Amen.