In Maine-et-Loire, they breathe new momentum into the parish

Parquet, large pieces bathed in light … It is there, on the floor of the presbytery of the village of Longué-Jumelles, 6,500 inhabitants, that Camille welcomes us. It has been more than two years that the family has been a tenant of the premises, succeeding two priests. Objective: “Being a presence” at the heart of this parish center of 49 bell towers, located east of Maine-et-Loire. An unristentianized territory. This mission was calibrated for the couple: “Since our marriage, we wanted to put ourselves at the service of Christ”, specifies Camille, 32, before evoking death at the birth of their second child, Alexandre, who “recovered the things in perspective ”.

A family presence

It is in Spain, with the Community of Chemin Neuf, that she and her husband live a first mission of a year and a half. Then, feeling called elsewhere, “but still in the service of the church”, they send their candidacy to different bishops. The family poses their suitcases in Anjou in 2022. To the great joy of Father Luke, parish priest of the parish pole, who felt the need to continue to “bring the place to life”. A family presence that has not escaped the residents of the neighborhood, happy to see the shutters of the presbytery open. Nor to the parishioners, who have gotten used to seeing the eldest, Roch, coming to greet them from the age of 7, when they pass for a meeting.

Member of the parish animation team (EAP), Enguerran takes care of altar servants. On his initiative, a group of men prays the Laudes every Friday morning. For this full -time wealth management advisor, the mission remains “priority”. As for Camille, pregnant with their sixth child, she manages the website and the parish bulletin. Their common commitments? Catechesis, the animation of a “tandem team” intended for young couples, and preparation for baptism.

Races, conduct at school, meetings … It is not always easy to articulate family and parish requirements. “One weekend a month, we try to leave to preserve our family life,” says the couple with one voice. And the first fruits of the mission appear: thanks to the help of volunteers who came to strengthen the catechesis team, Enguerran was able to get time to invest in the local Catholic school. “We are actors in the mission, but it is God who is at work,” says the young dad. And Camille to add: “The Lord shows us that we are in our place by lots of winks. Like these beautiful exchanges in truth with parishioners. »»