Home at the Maryglen
By Sr. Noreen Kearns, O.L.M.
Summer 2005
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Olive Seely, Mrs. Mohalui, Joan Fredericks and Doris Williams, residents of the Good Samaritan Home for women, welcome Sr. Cecile Turner, a regular visitor. New Amsterdam, Guyana.
Sr. Doris MacDonell serves the parish community with a special ministry to the sick and elderly.
L-R: Sr. Joan Missiaen, Scarboro lay missioner Kate O'Donnell, and Sr. Doris MacDonell with a little feline friend. New Amsterdam, Guyana.
Kate writes: "Sisters Cecile, Doris and Joan continue to support me with their love and wisdom. We have some fun times together also; it is not all work. We often visit one another and have meals together and it is such a comfort to be supported by their love and friendship. Thank you, Sr. Cecile, Sr. Doris and Sr. Joan. I pray that God continues to bless you as you journey and help the beautiful people of Guyana."
The Maryglen has offered affordable housing to working women and students in downtown Toronto for 42 years. Many of Our Lady's Missionaries have worked at "The Glen", supported and helped by a faithful number of staff. It is important after all these years to introduce these persons who have been and are the support system that has made Maryglen a home for so many women from all parts of the globe.
Entering the front door you will meet Elaine, the receptionist-secretary. After 20 years of service she still greets every resident with a special warmth and friendliness. Her many years at the "front" has helped keep alive the hospitable spirit that pervades the Maryglen.
Taking over as Elaine leaves her day shift is Alice who welcomes residents returning from their workday. To know Alice is to know a mother who cares for each person in a special way. With patience and Scottish humour, Alice listens to the residents and offers them words of comfort.
As the clock strikes midnight, alert and cheery Susan takes over the night shift. She assiduously checks all doors and corridors, and answers any nightly emergency while the rest of us sleep in peace and safety under her watchful eye.
In the very early days of the Maryglen, it was important to assure the arriving residents that the Glen was a safe, clean and welcoming place to live in downtown Toronto. At that time Connie, a young Portuguese woman, was hired to be part of the housekeeping staff. Connie's responsibilities were daunting. It was her duty to see that all areas of the Maryglen were kept clean and tidy. Connie soon proved how capable and hard working she was and continues to be after 42 years of faithful and diligent work. A few years later another young Portuguese woman joined Connie as part of the housekeeping staff. It was soon evident that Natalia possessed the same work ethic as Connie did. As the 42 years have slipped by and the work has continued day by day, Connie and Natalia's loyalty to the Maryglen, the staff and to the women in residence has become more remarkable.
After all these years Our Lady's Missionaries can only stand aside and thank our permanent and temporary staff continuously and honour them for the gift they are to us and to life at the Maryglen.
Sr. Noreen Kearns is the director of Maryglen Residence, Our Lady's Missionaries' ministry to women in need of affordable housing in Toronto.
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