Hello from the Members of Guadalupe House. We wish you health, grace and happiness.
We have had a full house for most of this year, but fortunately we have blessed with extra Helpers as well. Most of us are fit and well.
The Dept. of Ageing and Disability (ADD) have performed their routine inspections, as required by NSW Government regulations. The Government is providing money through ADD to support some of our residents in new day programs. We will be able to give more details next newsletter.
The Easter Ceremonies (the high point of the Christian year) were celebrated with great reverence and joy at GH. We are very grateful to Fr. Fowles, Fr. Casanova and Fr. Donoghue for their dedicated pastoral care during the year.
Bishop Brennan made a special trip to Albury from Wagga to supervise the 5-yearly elections for the Mother of God Brothers. The same 3 Members were re-elected: Br. Denis (Superior), Br. Patrick and Br. John remain the Counsellors. We thank Bishop Brennan for his ongoing support for the Brothers and men at Guadalupe House.
Faith & Light continues to meet at GH. Our three buses pick up 40 F & L members from Albury and Wodonga every Tuesday night for song, prayer, teaching, and supper. The Australian F & L Group is preparing to send a group over to Lourdres, France, for the International Pilgrimage in the year 2001. This International Pilgrimage is held every 10 years, to celebrate the first pilgrimage in 1971, from which Faith and Light was born. Some of the F & L Members of Albury/Wodonga are already saying towards the trip.
Some medical problems which we have attended to this year are: increasing problems with arthritis, regular eye tests, neurological examinations, dentist visits, podiatrist visits, pacemaker checked, and 'flu shots.
Our buses have been used by many groups: James Fallon High School, Kalianna Enterprises,Age Concern, Special Olympic, Girl Guides, Faith City, Glen Echo Neighbourhood House, Family Groups, Football Clubs, Aboriginal Support Groups, Slovenian Association, Family Link, Albury High School, Catholic Youth Groups, Albury Baptist Church, and Volunteer Friends.
We have been entertained regularly by God's Informals. The latter group is managed by Steve Taylor and is largely composed of his family and GH members and friends. They also have eight albums put onto cassettes and CDs which are available on request. We attended their concerts (and BBQ) at Rosary House, Corryong, and the beautiful Botanic Gardens. They have also performed at Borella House, GH, and the Thurgoona Community Centre.
The cattle project at GH is going well, thanks to the tender loving care bestowed by the 2 Johns, Bill and Tom. During the winter we have 5 wood heaters warming the building, as well as the kitchen stove and wood hot water system. The local pallet company keeps us supplied with wood. Thanks! PRAYERS :
Please pray for the following friends of the Community who have recently died: Peter Tydeman's mother, Tony Oldham's mother, and Shane Eggleton. Also for other friends: Bob Cox, mild stroke; Jim Young (Santa Claus), part of leg removed; and Carmel Dexter, injured in car accident.
Some of the other outings and activities include:
*Blue Light Disco in Wodonga, well organised and thoroughly enjoyed;
*taking part in the Jubilee 2000 Diocesan Day at Finley;
*attending the Chrism Mass of Oils for Holy Week at St. Michael's Cathedral in Wagga Wagga;
*also in the Cathedral at Wagga Wagga a special Mass of Reconciliation with the Aborigine community;
*lovely lunch and entertainment at Holbrook organised by the Combined Churches of Holbrook;
*celebrating Greg's birthday at MeDonalds; and Terry's, Darryl's and John McC's birthdays with their families at GH; also all the other regular birthday celebrations as they come around;
*a few have also been to watch AFL Aussi Rules games in Melbourne, and we have also watched several games featuring local teams;
*Special Olympics continues to be a very important activity for five of the men. The sports include ten-pin bowling, basketball and athletics; *we have have several performances from the Covenant Players;
*the Afternoon Tea Ladies still come and provide a welcome cuppa and chat every month. They have been faithful friends over the years;
*ten of the lads are on the 'Out & About' program organised by Marro (part of Kalianna Enterprises) which takes them to many different places of interest around the region, enhancing social skills and stimulating the soul;
*regularly went to watch the Border Bandits Basketball team in action;
*Brad, Peter, and Ricky took part in a Triathalon at the Hume Weir organised by Volunteer Friends, and Brad also participated in a special golf day;
*we have had visits from former Helpers and friends who have moved away from Albury - it is always good to catch up with old friends and 'family';
*John W, Douglas, and Matthew take part in weekly events organised by Age Concern, which does a wonderful job in providing outings and activities for hundreds of senior citizens around Albury;
*Matthew, Phillip, and Douglas have started attending art classes at Murray Valley Centre on Monday afternoons;
*the Transition Class from James Fallon High School come regularly to give us a hand with the work, and gain work experience and social skills;
*John W had a holiday on the Gold Coast; 5 lads went to Tuross Heads for five days break, and three went to Ballarat for five days to see family;
*we enjoyed the Annual Scouts Gang Show in the Albury Performing Centre;
*we danced the night away at the North East Leisure Service's 'Christmas in July' disco, held at the Wodonga Bowling Club;
*two of our former Helpers, Ray and Simon, have become members of the Franciscan Order. We went to Melbourne to have lunch with them at the Franciscan Monastery and renew our friendship. We wish them God's blessings and much happiness in their Franciscan calling;
*Fr. Wilkinson and 5 Seminarians from St. John Vianney Seminary in Wagga paid us a visit and shared some lunch and conversation;
*donations of wheat (for the chooks) and hay (for the cattle) and fresh meat from our farmer friends in Howlong, Rutherglen, Yackandandah and Corowa;
*our state-of-the-art fire alarm system occasionally goes off for various reasons, giving us plentv of practice in evacuating the house. HOME IMPROVEMENTS:
*Some bedrooms and bathrooms received a fresh coat of paint;
*our handyman, Roman, tiled some of the toilets and bathrooms, which makes them look terrific and much easier to keep clean.
*the Thurgoona Parish and GH are working together to renovate the Chapel as a Jubilee 2000 Project.
Space is running out - and unfortunately there are many other people and activities which I did not get an opportunity to mention. Before I finish please make a note that GAL.A DAY is on Sunday September 24th. We welcome new ideas and any assistance in saleable items, or time and talents. Please ring with suggestions. We would like to see you on GALA DAY, and your friends as well. PETROL : Do you need petrol? You can win 1000 litres of petrol (or LPG) in our raffle. 2nd prize is 500 litres and 3rd prize 250 litres. Tickets 50e each or 5 for $2. Books are obtainable from G.H. by phone, or you can buy some from Barsby's Card & Gift Shop, Centrepoint (Albury). Drawn on Gala Day.
Wishing you and yours every blessing - from Everyone at Guadalupe House.
GUADALUPE HOUSE NEWSLETTER
