The event that occurred first since I last wrote this column is the death of Mary Pennefather, whom we called, "Mary P.". Each of our MH dyings and deaths has had its own quality, and what struck me most about Mary P.’s was its gentleness and peace. A nurse, not a member of MH, who was with her said that it was the most beautiful death she has ever experienced, and she has accompanied 280 people during their time of dying.

Mary P.’s wake and funeral, attended by many including several members of her family, was filled with a quiet joy and with light. There was about it more a feel of life than of death.

Yes, there is so much life here.

The harvest is still coming in, and whoever could, men, women, and priests; staff, applicants, and guests, helped gather the potatoes.

It is now the height of the food-processing season—of preserving the harvest and a few sizeable food donations, for the winter. This is a major undertaking. Just about anyone transferred back to Combermere at this time of year is assigned to this work, and every available woman, whenever she is available, is at the farm washing, chopping, hauling, and canning.

What a joy to see the abundance of fruit and vegetables that God in his goodness has given us through the work of the farmers.

In early fall, we had what we often have at this time of year: a staff meeting to look at the summer. In asking ourselves what the guests received from being here, we shared some of what we’d heard them say. One guest, for example, said, "I discovered that Madonna House was a place where people can talk about God at table—in public, without alcohol!"

On September 8th, five of these many guests who have shared our lives for a time, took the first step towards joining our community—three women and two men (one a priest and one a layman). They are: Lisa Diniz, Alex (Alexandra) Do, Mary Frances Henderson, Fr. Murray Kuemper, and Neil Patterson.

The ceremony for receiving applicants was, as always, very simple, and it occurred in the dining room at the end of supper on the feast of Our Lady’s birthday, on an ordinary workday.

The new applicants were presented with two things. The first was an iced cake decorated with a simple cross—a symbol of this Madonna House life, which is the sweetness of the cross. The second was what we call "the brown folder" containing essential writings of Catherine Doherty, which will tell them something about the spirituality of the life on which they are embarking.

After supper, the applicants went to Catherine’s cabin where the directors general spoke to them about another aspect of our life—as "pilgrims of the absolute." Then the women spent the evening with Susanne Stubbs, director general of women to get "better acquainted." The next day the men applicants also had a get-together.

In some ways, the lives of the new applicants are not very different from when they were guests. But now they live with their directors of training and have additional classes. They are also being taught more both of Madonna House spirituality and of practical skills in whichever department they are working in.

They have already had an afternoon of reflection and a trip to Midland, Ontario, the shrine of the Canadian martyrs.

Meanwhile preparations were being made for the next big event—the annual meeting of our associate priests and deacons. This year the theme is the same as that of the gathering in Rome of the new ecclesial communities and of our summer school: the beauty of being a Christian and the joy of communicating it.

35 attended besides our own priests: 19 associate priests, 4 priests who are guests with us now, 6 deacons, 5 wives of deacons, and one priest who came with an associate.

As always, for them, it was a time of retreat and being together, a time of drinking in the spirituality of Catherine Doherty, a time of grace and renewal.

While they were here, five of them made promises as associates. Fr. Tom Fleming made first promises; Fr. Pierre Champoux and Fr. Tim McCauley renewed; and Fr. Blair Bernard and Fr. Paschal Breau made finals.

For us, it is, as always, a joy to be with them, and awesome to see them all together at the altar during Mass. We are also grateful to be able to serve them in this way, especially at this time when priests, like families, are so under attack.

Combermere is still cleaning up, repairing, and recovering from the tornado. One thing being done by the community is collecting money to buy trees to plant. And the fact of lives spared surely added to the joy of the recent celebration of the 75th anniversary of our parish.

Finally, here’s just one more item of news. The gift shop has converted its flea market to a Christmas shop.

As we all continue to live our ordinary lives, you are in our prayers. Please keep us in yours, too.