NEWS

Retirement celebration of the Director

….And that brings us to the concrete reason why we’re celebrating the feast of Saint Justin today, June 1: the departure of Marco Cattaneo as Director of the Œuvre Saint-Justin. Of course, I can’t say much about what Marco has achieved in his almost 20 years of service – those who will be giving their speeches at the reception later after mass will do that a hundred times better than I can. I can only say how I’ve come to know Marco Cattaneo in the ten years I’ve spent here: kind, attentive, helpful. Yes, especially helpful. A true comrade. And here we are again, with the work of the Holy Spirit creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Comrades are people who live in the same room, the same “camera” as we say in Latin and Italian… (excerpt from Father Joachim’s homily at the June 1st mass).

Every time I think about it, a super-popular song in Germany comes to mind – maybe some of you know it. It’s by the poet- singer Reinhard Mey and it’s called “Gute Nacht, Freunde” (Good Night, Friends). Reinhard Mey also sings in French under the name Frédérik Mey…

….Il simply describes the well-being he feels under the roof of these friends, the obviousness with which they add an extra plate to the table when someone arrives unexpectedly, the patience and kindness of these people…

Good evening, my friends,
It’s time for me to go.
What’s left to say
Lasts only a cigarette
And the time of a last drinkFor this day, this night under your roof, thank you
For the place at your table and the wine in my glass
For the extra place setting that you set for me
As if nothing in the world was more normal

For these hours spent chatting, thank you
For your patience when our opinions were contrary
For not having tried to find out where I came from
Nor for where I’m going, nor when, nor why

Thank you for the goodness that shelters in your home
Behind this door that I have to go through
Perhaps it’s through it that through your windows
The light seems warmer than elsewhere.