Restoration 2012-02-03T11:00:01Z 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. tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1 Movable Type Copyright 2012 Madonna House, Inc. Beginnings of Poustinia 2012-02-03T11:00:01Z 2012-02-03T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1132 2012-02-03T11:00:00Z 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.... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/

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.

]]>... Loneliness and Love 2012-02-01T11:00:01Z 2012-02-01T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1131 2012-02-01T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ My Dear Family

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.

]]>... One Man's Scrap, Another Man's Gold (January 2012) 2012-01-30T11:00:01Z 2012-01-30T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1129 2012-01-30T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ One Man's Scrap

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.

]]>... Milestones (January 2012) 2012-01-27T11:00:01Z 2012-01-27T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1128 2012-01-27T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ Milestones

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

]]>... Combermere Diary (January 2012) 2012-01-25T11:00:02Z 2012-01-25T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1127 2012-01-25T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ Combermere Diary

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.

]]>... Whom Shall I Trust? 2012-01-23T11:00:01Z 2012-01-23T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1126 2012-01-23T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ The Pope's Corner

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….

]]>... The Puppets Who Were All Bound Up 2012-01-20T11:00:01Z 2012-01-20T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1125 2012-01-20T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/

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.

]]>... Soup Kitchen School 2012-01-18T11:00:01Z 2012-01-18T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1124 2012-01-18T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ MH Edmonton AB 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.

]]>... My First Year in Edmonton 2012-01-16T11:00:01Z 2012-01-16T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1123 2012-01-16T11:00:00Z Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ MH Edmonton AB

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.

]]>... God and the English Language 2012-01-13T11:00:01Z 2012-01-13T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1122 2012-01-13T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ 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.

]]>... The Duty of the Moment 2012-01-11T11:00:01Z 2012-01-11T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1121 2012-01-11T11:00:00Z 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.... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ My Dear Family 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.

]]>... The Blessing of Poverty 2012-01-09T11:00:01Z 2012-01-09T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1120 2012-01-09T11:00:00Z 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.... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ My Story

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.

]]>... Epiphany of Baptism: Who-o-o-a! 2012-01-08T20:09:32Z 2012-01-06T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1119 2012-01-06T11:00:00Z 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... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ Word Made Flesh 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.

]]>... Finding the Joy of the Ordinary 2012-01-04T17:42:45Z 2012-01-04T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2012:/restoration/1.1118 2012-01-04T11:00:00Z by Fr. David May. The spirituality of Nazareth has many ramifications, but these do not take us very far unless we get to the Source of things: the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.... Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ New Millennium

by Fr. David May.

The spirituality of Nazareth has many ramifications, but these do not take us very far unless we get to the Source of things: the love of God revealed to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Only when we live from this source and return constantly to him, do we begin to see Nazareth for what it really is: a glorious offering filled with the joy of the Kingdom.

]]>... One Man's Scrap, Another Man's Gold (December 2011) 2011-12-28T11:00:01Z 2011-12-28T11:00:00Z tag:www.madonnahouse.org,2011:/restoration/1.1117 2011-12-28T11:00:00Z Madonna House http://www.madonnahouse.org/ One Man's Scrap

"Come, thou long-expected Jesus … Dear Desired of every nation, joy of every longing heart." These lines from one of our Advent hymns express well the song of our hearts. As we go about the ordinary tasks of our daily life, we have much to be grateful for.

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