Beyond their respective daily apostolic ministries – Blandine as a library technician in elementary schools and Claire in the corporate world of capital projects and public transportation – Blandine and Claire volunteer at their parish, in the Sunday 10 am choir of the St Joan of Arc parish in Bloor West, Toronto (ON). They share below what led them to do it and what makes them tick.
From Blandine
I’ve been singing with the St Joan of Arc choir for about ten years now. When I discovered how much this choir brought life to the celebrations and helped the congregation to pray, it gave me the desire to get involved as a mere chorister, but also to continue in the long run, especially during the pandemic. For several months the church was closed, and we continued to record the songs remotely for the online Masses. Since the arrival of Claire, who has brought her talents as a violinist, we have been able to share more as part of the same religious community and we are now better identified as Xaviere sisters.
From Claire
When I arrived in Toronto six years ago, English hymn lyrics and melodies were foreign to me. I had lost all that was familiar and loved in the French liturgical singing I had known in France and Quebec. At our parish though, the choir was vibrant, with piano, bass, guitars, and polyphony singing, with people of all ages and origins. I decided to join from time to time with the violin, as the instrument was way more bilingual than me! Adding to the beauty of the liturgy and supporting the congregation in reaching a place of praise, quietness, adoration gives me joy. Being able to do this as a group where we, sisters, are among the other parishioners fueling a similar movement of self-giving and praise sustains my commitment now almost every Sunday.