COMBERMERE – Special moments were made and shared, and older fonder memories and reunions celebrated this past weekend in Combermere, as the St. Joseph’s House (Madonna House Rural Apostolate) celebrated its 50th Anniversary, of the blessing of their house.
For three days, supporters and the St. Joseph House, and Madonna House families celebrated, from August 2 to August 4.
This was the first time; St. Joseph’s had an official public celebration.
“This weekend’s events celebrated the time when the members of the Madonna House, who were assigned to live and work at St. Joseph’s House began living at St. Joe’s, separated from the Madonna House,” St. Joseph’s Director Sandra Novecosky told the Gazette.
On Friday, August 2, a slideshow and memory sharing exercise took place at St. Mary’s Auditorium.
“It was beautiful,” Novecosky said.
So many stories and memories were shared, laughs had – the evening was more than memorable, the director went on to say.
On the Saturday, an Open House was held, with live music and a few treats, which gave everyone the opportunity to reminisce and catch up with old friends.
All of the former directors for St. Joseph’s also made the trip to celebrate on the Saturday, Novecosky told the Gazette. Some from Windsor and Toronto, 40-year reunions took place, and memories were made that will last a lifetime, Novecosky continued.
For those who missed the slideshow, it was on loop in the house and a puppet show, titled, A Dramatic Faith, was also put on for attendees as part of the festivities on August 3.
The show, Novecosky explained, helped tell the story of Catherine Doherty, the founder of the Madonna House Apostolate.
Doherty came to Combermere in 1947, with her husband Eddie, and her friend Grace Flewwelling, also known as Flewy. Upon her arrival, she began serving the poor.
And on Sunday, a Thanksgiving Mass, with Bishop Michael Mullhall was held at the Holy Canadian Martyrs Parish.
Story continues in the August 7, 2013 issue of The Valley Gazette