2019 - 2020
GATHERING (AUGUST 2019)
This year we visited the Outaouais region. The participating members were lodged at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Gatineau.
On a cool and cloudy Saturday morning, our group of 24 participated in a guided tour of the city of Ottawa. The journey described by the tour guide covered tourist attractions, historical buildings and monuments and panoramic views. The tour which lasted 1 hour 30 minutes was most appreciated by our group. What architectural treasures were observed in our national capital!
Following lunch at our leisure, our group joined other Perron cousins and boarded the Paula D. A cruise on the Ottawa River culminated our day of activities. The cruise ended at approximately 2:30 p.m. and the participants made plans to meet again at the banquet due at 6 p.m.
Linda Perron (943)
The group that toured the city of Ottawa finally arrives at the Hull Marina.
The group joins the other participants waiting on the dock.
All aboard the Paula D. for the cruise on the Ottawa River!
The AFPA banner is clearly displayed on the side of the boat.
Picture by Carole Dany and Pierre Genesse
Mass
A number of AFPA members attended Mass at the church of Notre-Dame-du-Très-Saint-Rosaire, in Gatineau, on Aug.10. It started to rain at the time of our arrival for 5 p.m. Mass. The Rev. Abbé Henri Abena, pastor of l’Unité pastorale de la Pointe, presided. Father Abena told me he immigrated from west Africa 10 years ago and that he was ordained as a priest in the Diocese of Ottawa three years ago.
In his homily, Abbé Abena summarized the week’s second reading, by St. Paul, about faith: “Faith is a way of possessing that which we hope for, a way to know the realities which we do not see.” Abbé Abena says that an internal voice invites us to love God.
After communion, Abbé Abena recognized parishioner Madame Thérèse Dufresne who was retiring after having served 21 years in various ministries at Notre-Dame Church.
The pastor greeted people as they were leaving Mass.
Upon leaving Notre-Dame Church, the sun was shining again.
Richard Lyness (755)
Saturday Evening Festivities
The theme of the evening was the celebration of country and western music. Upon seeing the members and their guests, it was evident that they had embraced the spirit of the evening.
Mmes Micheline (393), Jeannine (293) and Bertha (869) Perron. These ladies are ready to party!
These participants
wore their finest country outfits!
We were lucky to have a sheriff (Mr.
Oswald Perron) on the premises. With handcuffs at the ready, he was
watching over the evening to make sure there were no shenanigans.
The evening started with greetings from Mme Manon Perron (719) and Gabrielle Perron-Newman (313) followed by a cocktail and a hearty hot
and cold buffet. Throughout the evening, several door prizes were drawn.
The 50/50 draw was won by Mme Louise Perron (217).
This year the organizing committee offered our members and guests a real surprise. From 9:15 to 9:45 p.m., fireworks lit up the skies and, from the large windows in the room, we had front row seats! This was the first night of the International Fireworks Competition Sound of Light Show in Gatineau.
As the evening drew to a close, the members awaited the last draw. Given by M. Jean-Claude Perron (547)
each year, the beautifully crafted Perron family coat of arms is a fund
raiser (tickets are sold during the evening) for the association. This year
the lucky winner was Mme Nicole
Perron (195). On behalf of the organizing committee, the Board of directors and all the members of the AFPA, I wish to thank Jean-Claude
for his continued support of the association. The gift of this beautiful sculpture is much appreciated and the
work of this talented artist much admired.
On behalf of the Board of directors and the members
of the AFPA, I wish to thank Manon and Martine and
all who worked with them to make the 2019 gathering another success.
Happy cowgirl, Louise, accepts her cash award from Martine
Hallé (1015).
Roland Perron, cousin of Manon (719)
Make way for the music of Roland Perron and his group!
While some people danced, others were singing or humming along to familiar tunes.
Gabrielle Perron-Newman, Nicole Perron, the happy winner, Manon Perron, coordinator of the 2019 gathering and Martine Hallé who works tirelessly by Manon’s side.
Bertha and her husband, Jean-Luc, share tender moments on the dance floor.
Text by Gabrielle Perron-Newman (313)
Pictures by Douglas Newman (994)