
Written by Madonna House staff, Restoration is an essential part of our witness to the Gospel. Here we share our personal stories and reflections on the Gospel challenges of today, along with writings from Catherine Doherty and the Catholic Church.
by Catherine Doherty.
The river flows around me, silently, waiting for something to happen, listening for someone to come. Silence surrounds me on all sides and leads me to meditate.
Continue reading "Beginnings of Poustinia"...
by Catherine Doherty.
Do we realize how utterly, tragically lonely man is, especially in our Western world? The only way we can begin to assuage this loneliness which cries out for help at the top of its voice in a most profound silence is to use the key of love.
Continue reading "Loneliness and Love"...
Blessings on you, dear friends, as we begin another year of faith. As for us, we are confident that God will work powerfully in us and in the world as we go about our everyday life doing little things with great love.
Continue reading "One Man’s Scrap, Another Man’s Gold (January 2012)"...
Assignments: Maureen Ray, Combermere; Peggy Cartmell, England; Gudrun Schultz, Vancouver; Tina Tan, Winslow; Veronica Ferri, Regina
Death of Associate: Fr. Robert Kanka
New Associate: Fr. James McSharry
Continue reading "Milestones (January 2012)"...
by Paulette Curran.
One of the wonderful things, about being Catholic, at least for me, is the liturgical cycle. And the feasts, both the great ones like Christmas and the smaller ones that spring up like flowers in the green of Ordinary Time.
Continue reading "Combermere Diary (January 2012)"...
by Pope Benedict XVI.
On whom can I rely? To whom shall I entrust myself? Where is the One who can satisfy the deepest desires of my heart?
The Magi heard the answer: In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it is written by the prophet (Mt 2:5) .…These words were also spoken for us….
Continue reading "Whom Shall I Trust?"...
by Helen Porthouse.
This story is adapted from the narration for a puppet show in our 2010 summer program.
Once there was a pile of puppets, all arms, legs, and heads, and all wrapped up in string. They were bound together and could not get free. They had not been treated well.
Continue reading "The Puppets Who Were All Bound Up"...
by Gerard Lesage.
It all started with Nicholas (not his real name). Nicholas is an aboriginal man who comes to our soup kitchen fairly regularly, and he and I have become friends. Nicholas is very tall and handsome, and he has long, black hair. He is often intoxicated when he comes to the dining room.
Continue reading "Soup Kitchen School"...
by David Guzman.
It has been just over a year since I arrived in Edmonton. Although I have resisted and have failed in previous attempts to put down in words my "first impressions," I shall nevertheless forge onward, under obedience and with a deadline given to me by the director of this house, Gerard Lesage.
Continue reading "My First Year in Edmonton"...
by Aliz Trombitas.
I was born and raised in Hungary and had studied English in high school and university. I thought I understood and spoke English fairly well. However when I came to Canada, I soon realized that I did not.
Continue reading "God and the English Language"...
by Catherine Doherty.
All through my childhood and early youth, I was indoctrinated with the fact that the duty of the moment was the duty of God.
Continue reading "The Duty of the Moment"...
by Fr. Denis Lemieux.
Blessed are you poor, for the kingdom of heaven is yours (Lk 6:20).
I have learned that there is only one place where I grow in faith, one place where I encounter the living God. That is the place of my own personal poverty.
Continue reading "The Blessing of Poverty"...
by Fr. Pat McNulty.
The first time it happened it was so outside my experience, so eerie, I just stood there in shock, immobilized. Then I realized that the ground under my feet was undulating as if I were standing on the back of some huge slithery creature come alive.
Continue reading "Epiphany of Baptism: Who-o-o-a!"...