On April 24, 2016, the 28th edition of the Messier family gathering took place at the Pavillon de l’Érable in St-Jude. Nearly 150 people attended this year on a beautiful, cool, and sunny day.

We had the pleasure of meeting Messier family members and friends from various regions: Sudbury (ON), Quebec City, Montreal, the Eastern Townships, Montérégie, Mauricie, Lanaudière, the Laurentians, Centre-du-Québec, and Massachusetts. Some even arrived straight from vacations in Florida.

Attendees enjoyed the excellent food served by the new management team. They also viewed an exhibition of photos and genealogical charts from several families. Outdoors, everyone indulged in delicious fresh maple taffy. Young people had a great time with the inflatable play structures and visiting the small animals. Others treated themselves to a horse-drawn wagon ride through the woods. What a wonderful day!

The Association was well represented by its president, vice-president, secretary-treasurer, and two board members.

Many people have asked me about the origins of this event. The first gathering took place in 1988 at the same location. It was organized by Jean-Marie Messier from Belœil. That was when the Michel Messier Foundation was established, bringing together the descendants of Zacharie/Azarie Messier and Catherine Lamoureux. Unfortunately, the Foundation ceased operations shortly after Jean-Marie Messier passed away on May 24, 1989. The annual sugar shack dinner continued under the guidance of Arsène Messier and his son, Louis-Aimé. After Louis-Aimé passed away, which happened during his granddaughter’s wedding in Northbridge, Massachusetts, Arsène asked me to take over his son’s role. 2016 marks my 18th year organizing the event. Over the 28 years these dinners have been held, only two took place outside of St-Jude: one in Ste-Julie and another in Ste-Madeleine.

Meanwhile, the Messier Family Association was founded in 1989, with the late Jean-Marie Messier from Laval serving as president. Occasionally, the Association organized sugar shack dinners at various locations across the Montérégie region. After a period of inactivity, I took the initiative to invite Association members to meet our family members in St-Jude. Initially, few Association members responded to the invitation. However, over the past decade, many descendants of Zacharie and Catherine have joined, and we have gotten to know one another better. It is truly becoming an extended family! Réjean Messier, the Association’s secretary-treasurer, was on hand to handle membership renewals and new sign-ups.

Well done to everyone who attended. To those who didn, we missed you.

I look forward to seeing you next year, likely on the Sunday after Easter, April 23, 2017. The date will be confirmed later. If you enjoyed the gathering, please spread the word. If not, please let me know.

You will find a few souvenir photos of the day in the attachment.

Réal Messier, Organizer