Beaulieu sisters to return to France after 94 years of "love, care and devotion"

Monday 11 June 2018

Beaulieu Convent School is getting prepared to say goodbye to its Sisters who are due to return to their Mother House in Méen, near Rennes.

The Sisters of the Immaculate Conception first came to Jersey in 1924 and helped set up Beaulieu Convent School in 1951.

The Sisters were originally based at St. Matthew's Church in St. Lawrence. Their convent was located across the road from the Church and the Sisters were heavily involved in Parish work and helped the priest, Bernadette Cooper, Deputy Head at Beaulieu told Express.

"They set up a school and then joined forces with Mrs Du Feu, who had her own school, and came to Beaulieu in January 1951, when the school started. Sister Agnes was the head header until 1958 until Marie-Louise Serveau came from England and took on the headship. She stayed for 31 years, until 1989, so she had quite an influence and the school grew significantly under her leadership."

Pictured: Sister Marie Louise was headteacher at Beaulieu for 31 years.

Over the years many of the sisters were involved in teaching, administration or housekeeping around Beaulieu. There were at least 10 to 15 of them at one stage. Today, they are only four of them remaining, Sister Marie Louise, Sister Aline, Sister Marie-Thérèse and Sister Marie. "They will be returning to their Mother House in France," explained Ms Cooper. "They are elderly now and have come to the stage where they need to be cared for.

"They will still be involved with the school however. The school is now run by lay people and the sisters donated the school to the island for the continuation of Catholic education. It is a significant gift and the sisters are still represented on the board of trustees. They will keep that representation and their influence on the school. Although the Sisters haven't been teaching recently, Sister Marie Louise still visits the school three or four times a week and also attends activities to support the school."

Pictured: An old photo of the Sisters at Beaulieu.

The school expressed sadness when they announced the news of the Sisters' return to France. Chris Beirne, Beaulieu's Headmaster, said: "We are very sad that the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception in Jersey, our Beaulieu Sisters, will be leaving the Island this summer to join the community in St. Meen in France, where the Mother House of the order is situated. They have always been a huge part of our School and will be sadly missed on a daily basis.

"We are, however, delighted that they will remain in constant contact with Beaulieu through their representatives on the School's Board of Trustees and also through regular visits. We are forever grateful for the wonderful gift of Beaulieu, its ethos and all the love, care and devotion that the sisters have showed us over the years. Beaulieu is a very special place as a result of their dedication."

Pictured: Many former students praised Sister Marie Louise for being an inspiration.

Former students shared messages for the Sisters on Facebook, recalling the times they were teaching at Beaulieu. Some of them lauded Sister Marie Louise for her ability to remember every child that came to the school and for being an inspiration to many. Sarah Jones (née Breen) wrote: "Such fond memories of Sister Marie Louise and the other sisters. She even telephoned me after our first daughter was born (nearly 17 years ago!) to tell me she shared the same birthday as her. Beaulieu will never be the same. Please pass on my best wishes."

Tracy Mourant (Audrain) added: "Sister Marie Louise sent me a postcard when I was living in Hong Kong. It said: ‘Nul peut vivre at vie a ta place.’ When I got home I met the sisters who grilled me about my travels. They were thrilled by my adventures and it made me feel amazing. I still have the postcard and some inspiring letters in her beautiful handwriting. Wishing all the sisters a very happy, well-deserved retirement."

Carmen Rodriguez also shared some memories. "This beautiful school shaped the person I am today, time and time again I am asked ‘Were you convent schooled?’ And I never understood the question till I grew into a fully fledged adult and a mother myself. I am so grateful to all the sisters in particular Darling Sister Agnes, Sister (Marie-Christine) Bubbles, Sister Marie Louise and Sister Helen, a wonderful discoverer of fakers in sick bay, along with so many teachers that had their ethos at heart. I believe I am blessed to have been educated at Beaulieu - always loved and always remembered." 

As Ms Cooper explained, the sisters were not only involved with the school but also with the parish, the local churches and the Hospice, as they frequently visited the sick and elderly. 

Past pupils and islanders will be able to give the Sisters a proper send-off as the school has planned a series of celebrations at the end of the month. On 29 June, in the presence of members of the Immaculate Conception order, the school will hold a mass for the Sisters, followed by a concert, a staff tea party and a trustee event.

On 30 June, they are welcoming all past pupils, past parents, current parents, past staff members and friends of Beaulieu to a service to "celebrate the Beaulieu Sisters' time in Jersey and all they have done for the School" at St. Mary's and St. Peter's Church.