The Maryglen
A place to stay where small courtesies are deeply felt
By Sr. Noreen Kearns. O.L.M.
May 2006
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“In all the affairs of life, social as well as political, courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest to the grateful and appreciating heart.”—Henry Clay (1777-1852)
For the past 42 years, women have come to the Maryglen for a myriad of reasons—financial, medical, logistical and emotional, to name just a few. Regardless of what brought them over our threshold, we are pleased that when they leave, many carry with them the warmth, friendship and generosity that they found in our humble edifice.
We are reminded of this in the many warm greetings received from former residents, some from as far away as Vancouver in the West to Quebec in the East. Let me share a few with you.
“I truly believe in the power of prayer and know your prayers and your visits have helped in her healing. Your compassion and warmth I will not forget.”
“Thanks to the staff and residents of the Maryglen for the kindness and support that you have given (my wife) over the years, and especially in her time of need.”
“Thank you again for your kindness and hospitality when I stayed at the Maryglen last month while I had my microsurgery. I hope I may stay with you again when I come to Toronto.”
“Many thanks for the home away from home. It has been so good to be here and have such a safe, quiet place to be. I have appreciated it more than you will ever know.”
“The surgeons at St. Michael’s did a wonderful job on our Mom’s eye. She can see very well! We are all well and thank you for the simply best place to stay during Mom’s surgery and recovery.”
“Thank you for the lovely Christmas card, and I thank you again for the convenient and comfortable place you provided for me while I was in Toronto to visit my sister. All your staff are very kind with warm hearts. God bless you and your staff.”
We at the Maryglen are proud to be not only a temporary haven, but also a stepping-stone for women who are moving on to another phase in their lives.
This article was written in collaboration with a Maryglen resident who recently moved to Toronto from Vancouver and is heading off to a new career teaching English in Prague.
World Day of Prayer 2006
By Pamela Roth
The Markham Village annual World Day of Prayer was held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, at 7:00 pm on Sunday, March 5, 2006. Women of St. Patrick’s, St. Andrew’s United, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian, Grace Anglican, Markham Baptist, and Markham Salvation Army Community Church, have been hosting this event on a rotating basis since 1989. Women representatives from the six participating churches led the service, which was written by the women of South Africa.
Guest homilist was Our Lady’s Missionary Sr. Norma Samar. Reflecting on one of the evening’s readings (Matthew 26:6-7), Sr. Norma explored Jesus’ affirmation of women’s call to ministry as imaged by the woman with the alabaster jar of costly ointment. Sr. Norma reminded us of the reality of women in countries of the South who continue to live their faith and minister to their communities while faced with incredible poverty and desperate exploitation. They also bear the burden of HIV/AIDS and its painful impact on families as children are left to raise siblings, and the aged are left to parent grandchildren or find themselves without anyone to care for them in their final years.
Sr. Norma shared examples of women who in spite of their own poverty respond with incredible generosity to the needs of others. These women serve as models of faith in their communities. She challenged us to recognize our own gifts of ministry and to respond by extending these gifts in our own communities and beyond.
Following the service we shared a time of hospitality. In Canada, this event is sponsored by the Women’s Inter Church Committee (WICC), an affiliation of Protestant, Orthodox and Roman Catholic women.
Pamela Roth is a member of St. Patrick’s Parish.
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