Qu’Appelle House of Prayer – September 3, 1995 - 2020
“These I will bring to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer …… For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” [Isaiah 56:7]
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| Photo taken by Nancy Trapp |
This vision of Isaiah has been lived here in the Qu’Appelle Valley, as many places elsewhere, for 25 years today. What follows are some of the times being gratefully remembered today. Although the account is lengthy, many more significant dates have been left out. It is a day to be thankful for so very many hundreds and thousands of people, beginning with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. We are most thankful for the many who have come here, for the untold number of generous benefactors, for so many volunteers and for the people of this part of the Qu’Appelle Valley and elsewhere who have consistently, faithfully supported the life and ministry of this place.
Glenn Zimmer, OMI and
Chantelle Bonk, PM
Co-directors along with Margaret Dick, SNJM in heaven.
(Photos by Chantelle.)
Some
of the Significant Dates in the History of
Mid-October, 1992 Visit to the Strudwick home by Margaret Dick, Glenn Zimmer, and Rita and Larry Novakowski. Just after getting out of the car, Margaret remarks out of the blue: “Wouldn’t this be a wonderful place for a house of prayer!”
March, 1993 Second visit to Marlene and Art Strudwick by Margaret Dick, Glenn Zimmer, Alice Zimmer, Howard and Michael Stensrud.
April 7, 1993 Third visit to property (Tuesday of Holy Week) by Ron Rolheiser (Provincial of St Mary’s Province), Oblates Harold Kaufman and Martin Moser, and Glenn Zimmer.
August, 1994 Members of St Mary’s Province in annual Congress approve starting of a house of prayer, location to be determined.
January, 1995 Oblates purchase
property (residence and 4.5 acres of land) from Marlene and Art Strudwick near
June, 1995 Second-hand
trailer home and attachment moved from Hepburn,
Saskatchewan to site of future
house of prayer. Glenn was there on its
arrival; Strudwicks were away at the
time.
Mid-July, 1995 A brief visit is made to
the site by Margaret and Glenn, as well as Elsie Stitsen, Leonne Valois and Anne DiPersio on a Sunday
afternoon, coming from and returning to
September 3, 1995 Margaret Dick, SNJM and Glenn Zimmer, OMI arrive at the property which that day had been vacated by the Strudwicks.
September 25, 1995 Sister Elsie Stitsen, a member of Les Filles de Jesus from Edmonton, arrived for sabbatical time, tentatively until the end of the year, which was extended to June 30, 1996. As a community member, she greatly assisted the many tasks of establishing the house of prayer.
October 3, 1995 Arrival of young kitten, Frannie, from Saskatoon, who in 1996 gave birth to six kittens, of whom, Zoey, would remain at QHP. Frannie died October 27, 2014, and Zoey January 27, 2015.
October 4, 1995 Mark Mantyak, a local man, came to QHP for the first time; he was the chairperson of the local Catholic parish council and a councilor for the RM of North Qu’Appelle, and also a member of the local Knights of Columbus Council of Mary Immaculate. The House Journal records: “He wanted to know if the Knights could help out in any way, that they have carpenters, plumbers and electricians among them … one further blessing from God through the goodness of the people here.” This began a substantial financial and other support from the K of C which continued through all the years; and Mark continues to this day to return for weekday Eucharist and to volunteer.
October 7, 1995 Another two overnight guest retreatants, Arleen Cornish and Sharon Martorana, of Regina arrived for a 24-hour stay. Glenn had left to lead an Oblate retreat in Los Angeles, and therefore Margaret led a communion worship in the afternoon, and evening prayer that night, in the beauty of a full moon.
March 8, 1996 Marlene and Art Strudwick return for the first time together since September 7 and join in evening prayer, staying for a complete walk through and tea. Art twice mentions that they were the “caretakers of the property (which they had owned for 20 years) until the house of prayer came here.”
June 7, 1996 Ron Tulik delivers his “cat”, and Art Gessner begins clearing site for solitary dwellings. Actual construction began about 2 weeks later.
August 26, 1996 Scaffolding collapses on the work site, resulting in fall of Art Gessner and Mick Dawson; Art is injured and no longer able to work on the construction, replaced by Bernie Mazurkewich.
September 3, 1996 First anniversary. Glenn is in
October 29, 1996 Bernie completes the construction, and returns to
November 8, 1996 Additional land (2.5 acres) is purchased from Gaynal McCaw of Regina, owner since 1946 who sold original complete parcel of property to the Strudwicks.
September 6, 1997 Ken Baker and his daughter, Danielle, placed a large cross along with Glenn near the rock on the hill overlooking the property; this was done in memory of son and brother Danny who died in a skidoo/car collision on hwy. 35 near Lipton on March 22, 1997; Danny was six days past his 14th birthday. His well attended Celebration of resurrection took place at Our Lady of Sorrows on Wednesday of Holy Week this year.
April 13, 1998 Herb from Miner’s Construction arrived on Easter Monday with construction trailer and tools, followed shortly by Don Lautner and Mike Depeel to begin construction of the new chapel. Architect is Jim Zimmer of Saskatoon.
October 19, 1998 After final inspection by Jim
Zimmer (architect) was completed on October 5, the first Eucharist is celebrated
in the new chapel at 6:00 pm (exactly six months after construction began) with
about 20 people present, followed by potluck supper. Appreciation faxes are sent earlier in the
day to Jim Zimmer, Miner’s Construction, Alan Bells, the Oblates and Our Lady
of Prairies Foundation.
July 21, 1999 Having built a small base and stand during the past month, Ken Baker single-handedly installed the bell with truck and a rope pulley (the rope broke four times!) on the hill behind the chapel. The bell came from the Oblates in Battleford where it had rung 3 times a day for the Angelus from 1932 into the 1980’s or early 90’s; it is thought to have been originally a locomotive bell. The next day, Ken installed a power cord used to ring the bell – for the first time at QHP after years of having been silent – from the chapel sacristy.
October 14, 1999 Al Gerritsen completes the altar, tabernacle and other décor in the chapel, as well as prayer corners in the two guest and two resident dwellings. Final piece of art for the chapel, the Trinity/Marian icon is installed February 26, 2003 after it arrived on the bus from Al Gerritsen.
September 25, 2000 Construction of the garage built by volunteers Guy Levesque, Alcide Levesque and Lucky Lemay is completed.
July 1, 2002 Donna and Paul Tremblay gave notice that they will be leaving QHP and returning to their home in Kenora, Ontario. Decision was confirmed on August 17. Move was completed on Tuesday, October 8.
August 22, 2002 Emily and John Cherneski from Saskatoon moved to QHP. This transition was completed on September 10 when John came and stayed, moving into the residence, followed by Emily on September 13. They remained at QHP for 8 years and 6 months.
Completed Marian shrine, in large part thanks to Father John Riffel and Ken Yuzicapi is blessed and smudged at gathering of local Knights of Columbus and wives.
August 27 & 28, 2005 Two-day celebration of 10th Anniversary.
August 27 Eucharist and
Meal in Town (22 persons):
Sylvia and Don Lautner, Art Gessner (Miner’s Construction, Saskatoon); Gretta Lynn, Eldon, Heidi, Adelaide and Michael Ell; Alice and Lynden Zimmer; SNJM Sisters Carole Peloquin and Yolande Marion; Marg and Alan Bells (Humphrey Windows); Diane Lepage and Paul Fachet (Oblates of Mary Immaculate); Pat and Joe Sickler (Our Lady of the Prairies Foundation); Emily, John Cherneski, Margaret Dick and Glenn Zimmer (QHP).
August 28 – Outdoor gathering – short Prayer and Presentation by Margaret Dick and Glenn Zimmer, with 125 – 150 guests in all. Burgers and hot dogs were served.
February 4, 2011 Emily and John Cherneski left QHP by car late in the day for West Vancouver and their new home and work. They arrived the next day, February 5. Emily returned for a few weeks later to complete some commitments. She left for the last time on March 25,
March 21, 2011 Catherine Barnsley and partner Rick McCorrister, while here on retreat, met with Margaret and Glenn to look at possibilities for extended volunteer time during the coming summer, which later occurred several times.
June 1, 2011 Jane and Felix Kryzanowski of Regina moved their RV to QHP for the summer to live in community and volunteer their time and talent to the growing work of the House of Prayer. This would continue for 3 full summers, until they left with their RV October 23, 2013, although continuing their close relationship with and commitment to QHP.
September 3, 2011 On this 16th anniversary, Leslie Strudwick, daughter of Marlene and Art, was married to Dave Taylor in the Chapel, surrounded by the Strudwick family, and many memories going back to 1975 when the home was built.
June 25, 2014 Catherine Barnsley and Rick McCorrister arrive late at night from Tugaske and move into the residence, to begin what was initially to be a 2-year volunteer commitment, which turned out to be nearly four years.
May 2, 2016 Tim, accompanied by Kathy Letkemann for short stay, arrived for extended stay in the Prowler RV both for personal time and as volunteer. He remained until May 28 following another short time with Kathy at QHP; this time became stepping stone for eventual substantial time at QHP by both after they retired from their careers in 2018.
March 1, 2018 Catherine and Rick spent their first night in their newest home, a condo unit in Fort Qu’Appelle. They took the next few weeks sorting, packing and slowly moving out of residence at QHP day by day
March 27, 2018
May 2, 2018 Boyd Drake arrived on
flight to Regina from Alymer, Quebec for a month stay, which would begin
several lengthy stays in time to come with his wife, Susan Butler-Jones, as
Associates and volunteers at QHP.
May 25 – 26, 2018 First of 3 Vision Weekends take place at QHP in major effort to revision and perhaps restructure the House of Prayer. Original participants included: Adele Longstaff & Jim Longstaff, Kathy Letkemann & Tim, Christine Rumancik, Susan Butler-Jones & Boyd Drake, Dolores Fehr, Sue Bland, Margaret Dick and Glenn Zimmer. Bishop Don Bolen, John Meehan, SJ and Margi Hollingshead, though not present, also contributed valued input. Two more Weekends followed: November 16 – 18, 2018 (which included Sr. Chantelle Bonk) and November 26 – 28, 2019, after the death of Sr. Margaret Dick a few months earlier. One of the conclusions of the first meeting was that another full-time person was needed for QHP going forward, and that this person would not likely be a volunteer.
June 1, 2018 Sister Chantelle Bonk, PM came for brief visit to QHP accompanied by Sister ReAnne Letourneau; Chantelle was planning to have a 3-month stay at QHP as part of a sabbatical which began one week later, June 9.
June 6, 2018 Margaret Dick celebrated her 81st Birthday in Saskatoon in lovely gathering at the home of Alice and Lynden Zimmer, with some of Glenn’s family. It was to be her last birthday.
January 1, 2019 Sister Chantelle began formal employment at QHP, the first ever full-time employee.
Glenn finds Margaret gently slumped on her bed around 8:30 am; she had passed away just before midnight on April 23. Several moving celebrations of her life followed at the House of Prayer, at the local Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and at Despins Residence in St Boniface, with hundreds of people in all participating. People as far away as New York and Vancouver came
May 14, 2020 Fran Duffy arrived by car from Calgary, what would be her third and longest stay yet at QHP (until May 29); this would turn out to be a time of discernment as to whether or not she might become part of volunteer community. She would return again for extended times in June and July into August, continuing volunteer service and on-going discernment.
Jackie and Gerry Guimond of Fort Frances complete installation (having designed and made) of a new sign at entrance of property, replacing the very the first one put in place by Margaret and Glenn, October 6, 1995.
September 3, 2020
September 3, 2020 Today marks the 25th anniversary since Margaret’s and Glenn’s arrival at QHP. The celebration was considerably downsized because of COVID-19. Kathy, Tim, Chantelle and Glenn felt the absence of Susan and Boyd who originally planned to be personally part of this important occasion. A simple Eucharist was celebrated during the afternoon, giving thanks for the 25 years of QHP and for the life of Margaret. A meal followed; present were Sylvia and Ken Baker, Mark Mantyak, Christine Rumancik, and Sister Theresa Feist, OSU, each representing their own significant, personal lengthy commitment and also on behalf of many others at this time and over the years.
gmz 9/3/20
What a wonderful summary of the history of QHP so far! We celebrate with gratitude this anniversary. We remember with fondness the times of joy, and times of soul searching. We wish we could be there with you and look forward to the time of our return. Love and Blessings, Susan and Boyd
ReplyDeleteMemories, precious memories of days and years of Divine Shekinah journeying with you and welcoming you and all your guests and partners to each new now. Such a place of grace to be lured to, nurtured and cherished, and then sent forth from to be to others what you have been for us. May these 25 years be followed by many, many more.....
ReplyDeleteLove and Blessings,
+Jane and Felix
It's good to read 25 years of countless blessings, knowing and loving so many who have walked this sacred space. Congratulations once again as you continue to be a blessing to us all!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful account of some of the high points, and the persons involved, in the history of QHP. Over the years it has become a central part of my spiritual life, and I long for a time when I will be able to stay for longer periods. The soul has its own seasons, and the Lord has his own plans, and I look forward to many more blessed and graced visits to QHP.
ReplyDeletePeace, joy and much love to all,
Judith
Oh my goodness so many memories and so many people who have been blessed by QHP. The 25th anniversary celebration sounded absolutely perfect for this time. May our compassionate and merciful God continue to guide those who care for QHP and may all be blessed with the gift of silence amidst the beauty of creation.
DeleteAbundant thanks to the name-less, face-less and fame-less benefactors who so generously support the ministry of this beautiful place. You are blessed!
ReplyDeleteThis from Elsie - who spent much of the first year at the House of Prayer, and in doing so including being part of community, prayer and much work, became a vital part of the founding of this ministry .....
ReplyDelete"I enjoyed the review of the significant events of the 25 graced years. When I read it felt myself go back to the very beginnings of QHP. What a gift it was and still is to have been there in Sept. 1995 and to have been able to return many times for several years. Although I can no longer go back physically my mind often does. I continue to be very interested in the development of QHP. I pray often for Glenn and the late Margaret, for all the associates, workers, volunteers and for all the people who benefit from time spent in this holy place. May God continue to bless QHP."