Our own retreat!

After a year and half of hosting other retreats we decided, rather abruptly, to have 

our own pilgrimage.

Last week, just before Labor Day weekend, I was coming back from the barns and talking to God about what his plans were for this facility. I wondered if there would be some sort of  community here or rural mission house, would the barns ever be full of animals to feed the poor or the garden produce enough to send to more food shelves and would we have daily Mass in the Chapel.

When I came inside I mentioned these thoughts to my wife and she said, “We should go to the Madonna House in Combermere Ontario someday.” The Madonna House is where the priest, Father Von Faur (who constructed and dreamed up the Mary Theotokos Retreat Center) spent some time as an associate priest and the place greatly influenced him. There was a short silence as we looked at each other...and before I knew it, we were packing. 

First we had to make sure the tent would even stand!

After scraping change together, some packing and phone calls we had a house sitter, animal feeders and a campsight somewhere near Combermere to sleep in, if we got there. So once the kids got home from school, we told them the plan, went to bed and got up early to begin our 371 mile drive to Ontario!

The drive was as all long drives are with kids, but we were blessed by the having virtually no traffic the entire way. We arrived late, set up the tent and went to bed, the next morning we went to the Madonna House. 

The Madonna House Apostolate was founded by Catherine and Eddie Doherty.

In their own words;

“It is a family of Christian lay men, women, and priests, striving to incarnate the teachings of Jesus Christ by forming a community of love. We are a “Public Association of the Christian Faithful” within the Roman Catholic Church, under the bishop of the Diocese of Pembroke. Staff members of Madonna House come from all walks of life, from various countries and cultures, and have a wide variety of personalities and talents. They have in common a desire to serve God in a very humble way of life, as summarized in our Little Mandate. Our spirit is that of a family — modeled on the holy family of Nazareth, which was a community of perfect charity and love. Founded in 1947 by Catherine Doherty and her husband, Eddie Doherty, today the community has more than 200 lay men, women, and priests, dedicated to loving and serving Christ through promises of poverty, chastity, and obedience. (And, in addition to our staff priests, there are more than 125associate priests, bishops and permanent deacons who strive to live the spirit of Madonna House in their home dioceses or wherever they are serving.)” Much more can be read about Catherine Doherty and the Madonna house at their website:  http://www.madonnahouse.org/about/index.html

As we walked around the grounds we were stunned by the similarities of our retreat center and the construction elements of the Madonna House. We could certainly feel a link between the two places and understand how much the Madonna House had inspired Father Von Faur. Within a very little time we met several members of the community who were very interested in our tale of renovating the Mary Theotokos Retreat Center in Newark VT., as well as anything we could tell them about Father Von Faur.

Our hosts were more than generous with their time and unlike us, who babbled about all we had experienced and gone through since moving into the retreat center, they listened and presented an amazing air of calm and peace. This gentle way was found readily amongst all Madonna House members whether young adults or the elderly, all busy at work. Before long we began to see the similarities between our retreat center and the Madonna House were not only in the architecture and wooded landscape, but there was a spiritual similarity as well.

Our main guide Beverly took us on a whirlwind tour and history lesson. We started at the above sight by the main house, at the orchard that Catherine and Eddie Doherty planted in 1947 on their arrival at the Combermere sight.

They had planned to retire here after many exhausting years working to feed and help the poor of New York City, but God had another plan for them.

Behind the main house one can see the serene beauty of the area.

It is easy to see how the style of quiet Russian tradition of “Poustinia”  would be easy to accomplish here.

Aside from the gift shop, and farm buildings and other self sustaining mission structures there were many little cabins which were the roots of this Apostolate community.

Not too far away was a summer camp area called The Cana Colony where families could come and have a faith filled week long retreat during the summer months, here too were comfy cozy cabins and a church as well as an overall sense of peace.

As our tour headed off through the woods for the main chapel we passed many different shrines along the way, as well as places of work that sustain the community and aid the poor of the area.

After a short walk through the woods past other cabins we came to the chapel.

In many ways it reminded us of our own chapel at Mary Theotokos, we paused for reflection a prayer and a family snapshot!

But the real high point, or I should say, the real inspirational point of the tour was about to happen as Beverly lead us to a small bridge that took us onto a tiny island where we were to visit Catherine Doherty’s cabin, where she spent most of her days 

as well as many of her last days.

Here is the view of the outside of this soon to be Saint’s little cabin.

It is hard to describe the feeling upon entering it. But it was a strong spiritual sense that overwhelmed us as we look around at Catherine Doherty’s bed, little kitchen, corner shrine, photos, and desk.

As we got ready to leave the cabin I was struck by the way the sun was cutting through the afternoon clouds. It was almost blinding at the angle I was standing at, so much so I had to squint as I was walking out. It’s glare was almost obliterating the small sign above Catherine’s desk. As I shielded my eyes and crept closer to the desk, this small sign was easy to read.

It sort of became a theme for this totally unplanned, unprepared trip.

As we walked around the little island a bit more we visited another shrine as well as the Stations of the Cross walk.

After our tour we were invited to lunch before we had to set off on our return trip.

We ate with the community in the dining hall.

Then it was time to go home. Another 9 hour drive,..with no traffic,..on Labor day weekend? Now that IS a miracle.

Once home we collapsed and thought about unpacking the car.

But our minds hummed with ideas for our center. A little gift shop perhaps? A Stations of the Cross walk certainly. We also realized that whatever God’s plan was for our center, what  ever inspiration we were to gather from our trip would be explained to us,…

with God’s plan, in God's time.

Here is hoping you take time for your own pilgrimage.

"expect a miracle"

Deus Tecum

From The Mary Theotokos Center in VT.

Summer days, at The Mary Theotokos Center

The warm days of summer have finally arrived at The Mary Theotokos center. Gardens are in full swing, new animals have arrived, new retreats happen and out door work abounds!

So let me show you some of these events.

Here is one of our newest yet oldest pilgrims. This 91 year old lady arrived with her little dog two weeks ago. She tells me the fresh air and green landscape reminds her of her native Norway.

Some times she needs a little help getting around..

We also have a young man who is a bit camera shy who also brought three dogs, had a weekend with a family reunion from Phoenix with no dogs, and soon some Legionaries of Christ, with no pets either.

Pork Chop and Bacon continue to grow.

My kids decided my names were too ominous and have ignored my suggestion and are calling them Cinnamon and Sugar...

Why do kids treat these animals like pets?!

Oh, that's me, in the barn playing petting zoo on their arrival, pets?....never mind.

Anyway in true G.K. Chesterton style we accepted these to piglets as a barter for other services! Go distributionism!

Right now they are enjoying the farm life immensely!

Even though they do find their way out and often head for the house!

That gives the dog a whole new job besides herding chickens and ducks!

So keep us in your prayers as we move into full swing here, with a theater ministry project, more retreats, lots of grounds keeping some major outdoor
 construction and shopping for a cow!!!

So maybe it's time to stop blogging updates and get on to making updates.

Blessed times,..prayer and fellowship, disconnected from the world and reconnected to God,..

Life at The Mary Theotokos Center, 

with room for more.

Pax et Bonum

from

Vermont

May brings new construction and new animals!

May is rolling by at a break neck pace, and the work at the Mary Theotokos Retreat Center is 

moving right along!

Now that the inspectors have come through there is everything from doors to windows to fire exits plus much more to be completed before the next inspection.

We are extremely grateful that we found two excellent local carpenters to dive right in to these projects, and finish them faster than we ever expected.

Stuart Miles brings his entire shop in his trailer and sets up for work at dawn.

Even in the rain Stuart and his co-worker, Toby Lussier keep working, if it were a sunny day !

A set of fire escape stairs are installed from the second floor baloney down to the ground floor deck,..

with fine craftsmanship applied to every step. 

Other projects include, fire rated interior doors, automatic door closers, putting a better face over visible new flexible heating pipe,

as well as out door additional porch egress points and many other jobs.

As this day draws to a close and these two professionals get more done in a week than I could in a month, we plan ahead for excavation projects, retaining walls, generator hook ups and window treatments. All enhancing this already beautiful facility in compliance with fire inspection codes.

But that wasn't the only change this past week. 

What can you get for a wife, who has filled your life and this total new adventure with nothing but love and humor? A woman who already has everything? Well this Mother's mom got just what she needed;

 two more pigs to take care of. 

Well piglets really...

Let the pig farming begin!

These two lovely members of the MTRC family arrived the other day as a result of bartering with neighbors over various needs.

Here I am doing my St. Francis thing, and planning their names. 

My daughters told me they were named Sugar and Cinnamon...

I was thinking more along the lines of naming them Bacon and Pork-chop.

Goats, turkeys, meat hens, there is talk of cows and also a horse!

E - I - E - I - Ooooh my aching back.

I am going to need a retreat soon!

So as each day grows longer and the work-a-day gets more packed with effort, we get the garden ready for planting, the orchard ready for growing, the machines gassed up and oiled and thank fully, we dive into summer saying good bye to frost and snow.

Even the chickens are happy to get out on the lawn again and are laying more eggs.

Now we begin planning ahead for our community garden work, religious celebrations, prayer groups,  more retreats and even perhaps some theatre ministry work.

Another summer full of joy, love, prayer, work and fellowship at The Mary Theotokos Retreat Center 

as we journey with so many visitors through Mary to Jesus; in the woods of Vermont.

Right now though I am off to check out the fishing holes on the river.

Vivo Cristo Rey,

from the MTRC in Newark, VT.

An International Dinner at MTRC

Now that the Diplomat from Monaco is back overseas we thought it was time for another "International Dinner", this time with more members from the local community represented.

With all the moving and building going on there was only time for a pot luck, with Catholic Home Steaders, Apologetists, Eastern Church members, Social Activists, Educators, Artists, children, infants and lots of ham and pasta!

Sparkling Apple Cider and Melon Juice for kids and Pale Ale for adults. Among the wide array of Christians and various social dogmas the demographics included China, Korea, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and more! 

As the evening past the topics ranged from the most simple and friendly,

To the most in depth analysis of the history of Israel, to the Jewish faith, the Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, with a brief stop over at the present state of the Western Church, St, John Chrysostom, Phonetics, solar panels and G. K. Chesterton.

From the sublime to the surreal. A wonderful evening of faith and fellowship, laughs and love as we recharge our spirits for our separate missions.

After a while the paparazzi were ordered out 

and the night ended with more hugs and farewell blessings.

We hope you will come and join us for a dinner some time 

at the Mary Theotokos Retreat center

in Newark VT., 

Pax et Bonum

Spring is in the air,..

Though there are still snow flurries every morning, and lows in the evening are just barely above 30 F., Spring is certainly in the air. 

The chickens are glad to get on the lawn again,

And spring also means getting the garden plowed and ready for planting. 

The green house is being used to start plants and the garden has had some  major clearing adding almost 50% more space for planting. Hopefully that will increase our community garden potential.

Work continues on the inside of the retreat house and church is the crew from 

Catamount Electric; installing the fire alarm system for the entire facility.

These guys are consummate professionals and also really nice guys to have around!

More inspections will be on the way as well.

After enough snow run off, the driveway is need of some new layers and the gravel arrives in two truck loads.

Planting, digging, prepping, snowing, still there is a little time to head up to Montreal, only 2 and half hours away to talk a little funding and take some powerful prayerful moments at Saint Joseph's Oratory.

Just what the doctor ordered for a little recharge in the spiritual batteries.

More news on the way as we head full speed into warmer temps and sunnier skies,

....hopefully.

Pax et Bonum

From 

The Mary Theotokos Center

in 

Newark, VT.