“Everything is for a time and in God’s time, and when it has seen its completion, we give thanks to God for it all. And that is what we do today,” said Father Daniel Greenleaf, pastor.

Sister Marie May Lausier, PM, and Sister Cecile Mondor, PM, were the last two Sisters of the Presentation of Mary serving in Lewiston, but they have now moved out of state. With the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford having closed in 2023, their departure ends their congregation’s ministry in Maine.

“In a special way, we thank Sister Cecile and Sister Marie May because they gave tirelessly during their many years of service,” said Father Greenleaf during a Mass celebrated at Holy Family Church in Lewiston. “No one would have faulted them for retiring years ago, but they continually gave of themselves to the parish many more years than we deserve.”

 “Sister Cecile and I are going to retire. I think we are of age. But we will pray for this parish and for the Church,” says Sister Marie May, age 92. “We never retire from bringing Jesus closer to people.”
 

Embracing the mission of their foundress, St. Marie Rivier, Sister Marie May and Sister Cecile have worked to bring Jesus to people, both young and old, for decades. Sister Cecile, who grew up in the Biddeford-Saco area, spent 57 years in teaching, including 24 years as a third-grade teacher at Holy Cross School in Lewiston.

“I loved every minute. And I’d come back if I could. But I have to move on,” she says.

 Sister Marie May, who is originally from northern Maine, first served as a teacher, but following Vatican II, she went to Rome to assist in the congregation’s Special Chapter, which sent her in a new direction, focused on spirituality. Her ministry has included opening the Rivier House of Prayer in Westbrook, leading a spiritual renewal program for sisters, offering spiritual direction, and presenting retreats. 

“I’ve given retreats in Cameroon. I went to the Philippines. I went to Canada. I lived in Rome for three or four years,” she says. “We have sisters in Ireland and England, and because my field was spirituality, I gave sessions there.”

For the past 20 years, Sister Marie May has served in Lewiston, work that recently included the establishment of a Widows of Divine Mercy ministry at Prince of Peace Parish.

“There’s no pastoral program for widows in the Church, and it’s a need,” she says.

Parishioners say they are grateful to have had the sisters’ presence these many years. During a reception in the sisters’ honor, people signed giant thank you cards, expressing their gratitude and promising their prayers. 

“This is a beautiful celebration, and the sisters deserve every bit of it. They taught our children, and they are so special. We will always hold them close to our heart, and we wish them the best,” says Claire Therriault, a parishioner from Lewiston.

“I’m going to miss her spiritual guidance,” says Suzanne Sullivan, speaking of Sister Marie May. 

“My own experience of the Presentation Sisters included my discernment for becoming a priest, so I owe a lot of gratitude to the sisters,” says Father Greenleaf, recalling his days growing up in Biddeford. “I joined St. André’s Youth Ministry, and the Presentation Sisters were there and at the Marie Joseph Spiritual Center in Biddeford Pool. I think of the retreats I went to and the sisters who met with me to talk about the priesthood. I think of playing cards with the sisters and doing faith sharing with the high school kids. I worked out my vocation there on the beach.”

 Father Greenleaf says while the impact of the sisters won’t soon be forgotten, the Lewiston community is certainly a little less now that they have left.

 In saying goodbye to the parishioners, Sister Marie May urged them to continue to pray for the intercession of St. Marie Rivier, calling her “a maker of miracles.”

 Although their time in Maine has ended, the congregation is still active in 18 countries and, according to Sister Marie May, there are currently 30 novices and 29 postulants in formation.