What's New !
Updates and Requests
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| Updates and Requests June 2015 |
Dear Friends of Our Lady of Guadalupe Home,
Greetings to all our friends, volunteers and supporters. It has been a long time since we sent out news letting people know what has been happening. I thought I’d better hit the keyboard and bring everyone up to date.
Since our opening in February, the biggest question has been “Has anyone moved in yet”? The quick answer is no, not yet. The long answer is that God works in mysterious ways. I think God knew better than us that there was much more to opening the home than preparing the physical structure. God has been very generous in providing this time to develop the internal workings of the home. The days are busy and quite varied.
This waiting period has allowed us time to develop our policies and procedures for running the home. While we see ourselves as a home, there is no doubt we need to have the structure of an agency for our day to day functioning. As you may know, we have modeled ourselves after Fresh Start, a maternity home in St. Thomas. Their executive director and board were kind enough to share their programing and policies as a beginning point for developing our own. This has been a big task and will be an ongoing process as we learn what works best and what doesn’t.
We interviewed and hired staff and were able to have two training days. We covered emergency first aid and were able to review policies for abuse, harassment and violence in the workplace. They were good days and helped the future staff develop a sense of what the home is hoping to achieve and how we will care for and support the residents. The future staff are very kind, generous women and motivated to help nurture the new little lives that are going to arrive.
Sr. Linda and I have also been busy making connections with other agencies in Windsor who work with women, teens, families, health matters and education. It has been exciting to see the work done by the other agencies and to know that we will be a part of serving those in need. To name a few, we have been in contact with: The Windsor Essex County Health Unit –Healthy Babies. Healthy Children Team; both the Public and Separate School Boards, The House of Sophrosyne, Street Health, The Welcome Centre, The Downtown Mission, Hiatus House and the Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society. The local agencies seemed very glad to have the home in the city as they spoke of the need to have somewhere to refer women to who are in crisis because of a pregnancy. Some workers came out and saw the home. It was nice to meet some of the specific people that we can call when a specific need arises. So much is already being done for pre and post natal care. Our role as a residence and teaching home is becoming clearer to us.
Workers from various agencies have been calling to ask about who is eligible to stay in the home. Some of the people they had in mind did not fit the mandate, but the word is getting out and recently we have had a couple of appropriate referrals. There is no set time in the woman’s pregnancy as to when she should move in. For some, the crisis might be early in the pregnancy as they can no longer stay where they were living. For others, they might need more support after the baby is born and will want to wait until the 8th or 9th month to move in. Each case will be decided based on the individual woman’s needs. I feel it won’t be long now before someone moves in.
The most recent event in the home was a House Blessing. Fr. Nichola Mauro Iko led us in a beautiful prayer service. Some of the choir members of St Alphonsus church attended and led us in song. Fr Nichola went to each room blessing it with holy water and praying for its future residents. Two reporters came and there was an article in the Windsor Star. Every little bit of publicity helps.
The Catholic Women’s League of the London Diocese had their annual general meeting in Windsor on April 30th to May 2nd. We were fortunate to have been chosen as one of the recipients of their outreach. Most of the councils had baby showers for the home and were very generous in their support. In truth, Sr. Linda and I were stunned by their generosity. We have everything a new mother could possibly need for herself and her baby. Diapers, wipes, onesies, baby powder, lotion and shampoo. We have outfits for summer, winter, bedtime, daywear, and special occasions. No baby is ever going to go cold as the number of blankets was unbelievable. So many beautiful handmade outfits and blankets. Thank you women of faith. God bless you for your generosity.
As for myself, it has been a blessing to be here preparing the home. So many people have come by, dropping off donations or just wanting to see the house. We have had volunteers in helping with sorting items, cleaning, setting up the office and computers. And each person’s offering, whether goods, service or money has been given with love and prayers. Every little bit counts. Sometimes when I am reviewing my day, my heart is broken open and I want to cry at the kindness of strangers. Most likely, you will never meet the women who come through these doors. Their babies won’t know how you helped their mother at a time when she was most vulnerable. But their lives will be better because of it. Thank you.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe surround you with her maternal love. May her words resound in our hearts. “Am I not here, who is your mother? Are you not under my protection”? And knowing this, may she lead us to the heart of her son, Jesus.
God Bless,
Elaine Paul
Program Manager/Housemother
On behalf of Sr Linda Dube and the Board of Directors of Our Lady of Guadalupe Home.
Greetings to all our friends, volunteers and supporters. It has been a long time since we sent out news letting people know what has been happening. I thought I’d better hit the keyboard and bring everyone up to date.
Since our opening in February, the biggest question has been “Has anyone moved in yet”? The quick answer is no, not yet. The long answer is that God works in mysterious ways. I think God knew better than us that there was much more to opening the home than preparing the physical structure. God has been very generous in providing this time to develop the internal workings of the home. The days are busy and quite varied.
This waiting period has allowed us time to develop our policies and procedures for running the home. While we see ourselves as a home, there is no doubt we need to have the structure of an agency for our day to day functioning. As you may know, we have modeled ourselves after Fresh Start, a maternity home in St. Thomas. Their executive director and board were kind enough to share their programing and policies as a beginning point for developing our own. This has been a big task and will be an ongoing process as we learn what works best and what doesn’t.
We interviewed and hired staff and were able to have two training days. We covered emergency first aid and were able to review policies for abuse, harassment and violence in the workplace. They were good days and helped the future staff develop a sense of what the home is hoping to achieve and how we will care for and support the residents. The future staff are very kind, generous women and motivated to help nurture the new little lives that are going to arrive.
Sr. Linda and I have also been busy making connections with other agencies in Windsor who work with women, teens, families, health matters and education. It has been exciting to see the work done by the other agencies and to know that we will be a part of serving those in need. To name a few, we have been in contact with: The Windsor Essex County Health Unit –Healthy Babies. Healthy Children Team; both the Public and Separate School Boards, The House of Sophrosyne, Street Health, The Welcome Centre, The Downtown Mission, Hiatus House and the Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society. The local agencies seemed very glad to have the home in the city as they spoke of the need to have somewhere to refer women to who are in crisis because of a pregnancy. Some workers came out and saw the home. It was nice to meet some of the specific people that we can call when a specific need arises. So much is already being done for pre and post natal care. Our role as a residence and teaching home is becoming clearer to us.
Workers from various agencies have been calling to ask about who is eligible to stay in the home. Some of the people they had in mind did not fit the mandate, but the word is getting out and recently we have had a couple of appropriate referrals. There is no set time in the woman’s pregnancy as to when she should move in. For some, the crisis might be early in the pregnancy as they can no longer stay where they were living. For others, they might need more support after the baby is born and will want to wait until the 8th or 9th month to move in. Each case will be decided based on the individual woman’s needs. I feel it won’t be long now before someone moves in.
The most recent event in the home was a House Blessing. Fr. Nichola Mauro Iko led us in a beautiful prayer service. Some of the choir members of St Alphonsus church attended and led us in song. Fr Nichola went to each room blessing it with holy water and praying for its future residents. Two reporters came and there was an article in the Windsor Star. Every little bit of publicity helps.
The Catholic Women’s League of the London Diocese had their annual general meeting in Windsor on April 30th to May 2nd. We were fortunate to have been chosen as one of the recipients of their outreach. Most of the councils had baby showers for the home and were very generous in their support. In truth, Sr. Linda and I were stunned by their generosity. We have everything a new mother could possibly need for herself and her baby. Diapers, wipes, onesies, baby powder, lotion and shampoo. We have outfits for summer, winter, bedtime, daywear, and special occasions. No baby is ever going to go cold as the number of blankets was unbelievable. So many beautiful handmade outfits and blankets. Thank you women of faith. God bless you for your generosity.
As for myself, it has been a blessing to be here preparing the home. So many people have come by, dropping off donations or just wanting to see the house. We have had volunteers in helping with sorting items, cleaning, setting up the office and computers. And each person’s offering, whether goods, service or money has been given with love and prayers. Every little bit counts. Sometimes when I am reviewing my day, my heart is broken open and I want to cry at the kindness of strangers. Most likely, you will never meet the women who come through these doors. Their babies won’t know how you helped their mother at a time when she was most vulnerable. But their lives will be better because of it. Thank you.
May Our Lady of Guadalupe surround you with her maternal love. May her words resound in our hearts. “Am I not here, who is your mother? Are you not under my protection”? And knowing this, may she lead us to the heart of her son, Jesus.
God Bless,
Elaine Paul
Program Manager/Housemother
On behalf of Sr Linda Dube and the Board of Directors of Our Lady of Guadalupe Home.
Welcome to the Grand Opening of Our Lady of Guadalupe Home
|
Thank you Windsor Essex Right to Life, once again for offering space in your Newsletter to update people on the progress of Our Lady of Guadalupe Home. Thanks to your prayer and encouragement, we have good news to share: Our Lady of Guadalupe Home is completely (and beautifully) built now. Check it out at 591 Alexandrine (just a block east of Remark’s at the corner of Alexandrine and Remington). It’s a brick raised ranch with 7 bedrooms and 4 full bathrooms for residents, a deck, attached 2 car garage for storage and an upstairs suite for our live-in House Mother/Program Manager. The inside has beautiful, dark hardwood floors, a large kitchen/dining area, living area and multi-purpose room. It’s more than a dream come true. How did we receive such a beautiful home? It was an answer to prayer: After 3 years of work raising money, we realized that we would not be able to realize this Call from God on our own, so we asked God for a house. Our prayers were answered in marvellous ways far beyond our wildest dreams 2 days after we completed our Novena prayer (9 days of prayer). The Lord inspired a very generous person to come forward with the offer to provide a house. Not only did he offer to build a house, he will provide it with furniture, too. When you pray for us, be sure to pray for him and his family as well! |
Many generous people have offered to donate baby items and materials needed to run a home, but we had to ask them to hold off until we had a place to store donations. We can store things now, and were asked for a “Wish List” of items needed before we open our doors and receive women into the program. To see the list, check out our website at www.ologhome.com. Kathy Gallagher (website developer) has made this list interactive, so when you check something off the list, it is deleted from the list and we are automatically notified (so we don’t receive more than we need of any one item). You can also see the list on Facebook at ologhomewindsor. If you use that list, please notify us immediately so we can have Charles Silinskas keep it updated, too.
In the meantime, we are developing partnerships with other facilities that are involved with women in crisis pregnancy, working on the list of qualifications and responsibilities for assistant staff (we plan to hire 6 part time workers), working out a schedule for volunteers, and working on our program. We hope to begin operation early in February, 2014. |
The Grand Opening
Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home of Windsor: February 1, 2014 from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. 591 Alexandrine, Windor, ON N8X 3B8 All Are Welcome ! So, we are planning a Grand Opening for Saturday, February 1, 2014 from 2 pm until 6 pm. We’re looking for donations of finger food and people to help us prepare for this event (house clean, set up, greet guests, clean up etc.) on that day. Please contact us if you can help and are on our list of volunteers. We do hope to see you there!
Sr. Linda Dube, on behalf of the Board of Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home of Windsor |
Greetings!
Many Thanks to every volunteer who showed up last Saturday! You gave a day to consider offering your services and to learn more about our program. I pray that the Lord will direct you as to what His will is for you in regards to Our Lady of Guadalupe Home. Let’s continue to pray for each other: “Thy will be done.”
Sincerely,
Sr. Linda Dube
Results of the Fish Fry are in!
Unofficial count (tickets sold): 275
BJ (Chancellor, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name of Jesus Council 3305 in Essex), and Patti Harrison brought a cheque today in the amount of $1,000.
50/50 Draw to Our Lady of Guadalupe: $120
Raffle sales came to $108.10
Extra donations: $165
Total donation to Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home: $1,393.10
We are so very grateful to BJ and Patti, and to Council 3305, the first Council to do an official fundraiser for Our Lady of Gaudalupe Home. Be assured of our prayers and the gratitude of mothers and babies-to-be.
Sr. Linda Dube
Unofficial count (tickets sold): 275
BJ (Chancellor, Knights of Columbus, Holy Name of Jesus Council 3305 in Essex), and Patti Harrison brought a cheque today in the amount of $1,000.
50/50 Draw to Our Lady of Guadalupe: $120
Raffle sales came to $108.10
Extra donations: $165
Total donation to Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home: $1,393.10
We are so very grateful to BJ and Patti, and to Council 3305, the first Council to do an official fundraiser for Our Lady of Gaudalupe Home. Be assured of our prayers and the gratitude of mothers and babies-to-be.
Sr. Linda Dube
Fish Fry September 27,2013
Many thanks to BJ Harrison, Chancellor, and the Knights of Columbus, Holy Name of Jesus Council 3305 in Essex, and to the wives and family members of that Council for all the work they did in putting on a Fish Fry, proceeds to Our Lady of Guadalupe Home. It was fun, the food was plentiful, hot and absolutely delicious (pickerel, roast potatoes, carrots, cole slaw, buns and desserts, for those of you who missed it!)
There was a 50/50 draw, won by Kathy Martin ($120) and a raffle that brought in an extra $108.10. Many thanks to all who contributed items for the raffle, and for all who helped set up (and especially to the two wonderful women from Leamington who helped pack up at the end of the night!) Special thanks to Carolyn Cole for helping with the set up and display of the raffle and to Megan Carlone for attending to important details of the raffle (like selling tickets etc). Thank you also to Kathy Gallagher for taking photos for our website (which she designed) and to Charles Silinskas for taking photos for the Facebook page (which he designed). And of course, thanks to the 275 (unofficial count) who attended this gala affair! It would not have been a success without you.
And the best news is, BJ tells me that Council 3305 have offered to make this an annual event.
Thank you,one and all!!
Sr. Linda, on behalf of Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home
There was a 50/50 draw, won by Kathy Martin ($120) and a raffle that brought in an extra $108.10. Many thanks to all who contributed items for the raffle, and for all who helped set up (and especially to the two wonderful women from Leamington who helped pack up at the end of the night!) Special thanks to Carolyn Cole for helping with the set up and display of the raffle and to Megan Carlone for attending to important details of the raffle (like selling tickets etc). Thank you also to Kathy Gallagher for taking photos for our website (which she designed) and to Charles Silinskas for taking photos for the Facebook page (which he designed). And of course, thanks to the 275 (unofficial count) who attended this gala affair! It would not have been a success without you.
And the best news is, BJ tells me that Council 3305 have offered to make this an annual event.
Thank you,one and all!!
Sr. Linda, on behalf of Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home
Forty Days for Life
“Forty Days for Life” will begin on September 27, 2013 this year. It takes place from 7 am until 8 pm Monday to Friday, inclusive in front of Metropolitan Hospital. We encourage parishioners to choose a time and day (days) to participate to pray for an end to abortion. If you wish to carry a sign, it should read “Pray to end abortion”. Please come and pray for a change of heart for all those involved in the killing of the unborn. Call 519-734-8031 to register the time and day(s) you choose if possible; otherwise come with a friend whenever you can.
August, 2013 Update
Greetings and Good News:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home of Windsor is now under construction! This miracle is an answer to prayer.
We were very like the Apostles in the Gospel who worked hard all night, but caught nothing. (The Gospels tell us that, at the Lord’s direction, they dropped the nets again anyway – and made a catch that was overwhelming.) We worked hard for almost 3 years. Although we did raise quite a lot of money, (thanks to the generosity of many parishes and other worshiping congregations, as well as other good people of Windsor and Essex County), it was nowhere near enough to obtain a house and run a program for even one year. So we made a novena (9 days of prayer of petition) to Our Lady of Lourdes, specifically asking for a house. Two days after finishing the novena, the Lord inspired a very generous man to offer to finance the building of a house for this project. The 7 + 1 bedroom house is now being built on the corner of Alexandrine and Remington.
Many joined us in thanking Our Lord and Our Lady for this miracle, and in praying for the family of our donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) at a Mass of Thanksgiving on Friday, June 28 at the noon Mass, St. Alphonsus Church.
Then we had a Blessing/Ground-Breaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
Later we will invite you to celebrate with us at the official Blessing and Opening ceremony (early in 2014). Please check our website www.ologhome.com, or go to Facebook https://www.facebook.com/olog for details.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray this prayer on behalf of this project: “Thy will be done.”
Sr. Linda Dube
President of Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home of Windsor
[email protected]
519-253-1806
Greetings and Good News:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home of Windsor is now under construction! This miracle is an answer to prayer.
We were very like the Apostles in the Gospel who worked hard all night, but caught nothing. (The Gospels tell us that, at the Lord’s direction, they dropped the nets again anyway – and made a catch that was overwhelming.) We worked hard for almost 3 years. Although we did raise quite a lot of money, (thanks to the generosity of many parishes and other worshiping congregations, as well as other good people of Windsor and Essex County), it was nowhere near enough to obtain a house and run a program for even one year. So we made a novena (9 days of prayer of petition) to Our Lady of Lourdes, specifically asking for a house. Two days after finishing the novena, the Lord inspired a very generous man to offer to finance the building of a house for this project. The 7 + 1 bedroom house is now being built on the corner of Alexandrine and Remington.
Many joined us in thanking Our Lord and Our Lady for this miracle, and in praying for the family of our donor (who wishes to remain anonymous) at a Mass of Thanksgiving on Friday, June 28 at the noon Mass, St. Alphonsus Church.
Then we had a Blessing/Ground-Breaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 16, 2013 at 10:30 a.m.
Later we will invite you to celebrate with us at the official Blessing and Opening ceremony (early in 2014). Please check our website www.ologhome.com, or go to Facebook https://www.facebook.com/olog for details.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support. Please continue to pray this prayer on behalf of this project: “Thy will be done.”
Sr. Linda Dube
President of Our Lady of Guadalupe Non-Profit Home of Windsor
[email protected]
519-253-1806