L'Arche Antigonish Blog

Miriam MacDonald, 1943-2011

admin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:16:02 +0000

MACDONALD,MIRIAM—-It is with a great deal of sadness, but also with a great deal of gratitude for having her with us for 68 years, that we make known to her many friends and acquaintances the passing of Miriam MacDonald. Born March 14th, 1943 to the late Roderick (Odgie) & Christena (Cameron) MacDonald, Miriam touched the hearts and souls of numerous people in many and varied ways. She was a kind person, a gentle person who accepted what life had given her in a very pragmatic way. She had a way of passing on to others this quiet way of dealing with the ups and down so inherent in those with special needs. Miriam was an active member of her community and gave to each undertaking her full attention. Miriam began her journey as one of the original members at the Activity Centre located in the former St Ninian Street School. From there she went to The CACL Program on Kirk Street where she grew and prospered in those programs designed to promote independence. At the time of her death, Miriam was a resident in Hope House, L’Arche, Hawthorne Street. From there she continued her involvement in special programs such as Corner Stone. Miriam had many passions in life. Her ability to skate was well known providing to many a suitable partner for a skate around the arena. Special Olympics held a high priority for Miriam winning many medals and recognition in various sports. She represented Nova Scotia at The Special Olympics in Regina .Her singing ability was widely recognized and she took great satisfaction in performing. She combined her two loves of singing and Special Olympics by singing O Canada at the opening of many Olympic Games. She faithfully sang in the senior choir of St. Ninian’s Cathedral for many years. Miriam had a terrific memory and if a birth date was required all one had to do was ask her. She had a special fondness for Peter MacKay, never missing an opportunity to talk to him or have her picture taken with him. Miriam is survived by her sisters Claire, Abigail, Isabel (John) Tramble, Beverly (Bill) MacNeil and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her brother Kenneth and his wife Marcie. The family thanks all Miriam’s Caregivers for their devotion to her. A special thanks to L’Arche personnel as well as St. Martha’s Palliative care and the residents for their support to Miriam and the family during this difficult time. Their presence made Miriam’s death a special, peaceful experience. Visitation will be in MacIsaac Funeral Home ,61 Pleasant Street, Antigonish, Monday December 19th, 2011, 2pm to 4pm and from 7pm to 9pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be held from St. Ninian’s Cathedral at 2pm on Tuesday, December 20th, 2011 with Father Andrew Boyd presiding. Burial in the parish cemetery. Donations to L’Arche, Antigonish or St. Martha’s Palliative Care.

“Let’s go to the People’s Place”

admin — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:46:25 +0000

Come celebrate the ‘cutting off’ of Murray Gibson’s tapestry titled “Let’s go to the People’s Place” featuring art of artists from L’Arche Antigonish. November 29, 4pm at People’s Place Library.

http://www.parl.ns.ca/peoplesplace/guide/artistguide/gibson.html

L’Arche once again presenting The Gift

admin — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:36:08 +0000

Last year L’Arche Antigonish presented the community with a gift.
The gift was a play entitled, appropriately, The Gift and it was met with such enthusiastic approval an encore presentation was arranged a week and a half later.
L’Arche and The Gift are back this year and unofficially kick-off the holiday season with performances this Friday, Nov. 25, with a show at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 26, with shows at 3 and 7 p.m.
The Gift is written and directed by L’Arche assistant Natalie Cameron and is the story of the fourth wise man who sets out in pursuit of the three wise men following the eastern star to Bethlehem and the manger where the Christ Child lies sleeping.
Along the way, the fourth wise man meets a variety of new friends who bestow upon him gifts of virtue which help him come to a new understanding of community and belonging.
That theme is carried out in the production where the L’Arche community is joined by St. F.X. and Antigonish as a whole in putting on the play.
“It’s the whole community coming together,” Steffi Drechsler, art program co-ordinator at L’Arche Horizons, said. “It’s inclusive. We have a lot of (St. F.X.) students who help out and a lot of people from the wider community.”
The gifts given to the fourth wise man come in the form of singing, dancing and music.
They’re gifts designed to entertain an audience which can have a lasting impact on the performers as well.
“There are a lot of memories,” Michael Boddy said.
Boddy, a L’Arche resident, played the fourth wise man in last year’s performances.
“I like the drama and that everyone from L’Arche is in it. Everyone does a great job,” Boddy added.
The plays will be performed at the Bauer Theatre and tickets can be purchased from the 5 to a $1 Store as well as Brendan’s Fairway.

Richard MacKenzie, richardmac@thecasket.ca

Steffi Drechsler, art program co-ordinator at L’Arche Horizon and resident Tommy Landry rehearse a dance from The Gift which is set for three performances this weekend. (Richard MacKenzie photo)

“The Gift” 2011

admin — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:29:09 +0000

In Memory of Margaret Louise Mac Donald – August 11, 1949 – October 23, 2011

admin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:10:24 +0000

Margaret Louise MacDonald
67-Whitney Pier

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Margaret Louise MacDonald “Margie” age 67, on Sunday October 23, 2011 at the North Sydney General Hospital surrounded by her loving family.

She was born August 11, 1944, a daughter of the late Norman and Linda (Schlorf) MacDonald. Margie was a longtime member of Holy Redeemer parish.

Margie spent the last 2 years as a resident of Northside Community Guest Home prior to this she was a longtime resident of L’Arche, Antigonish where she spent many happy and fulfilling years. She was also quite active with the Kinsmen Centre in her earlier years. Margie enjoyed the simple things in life, singing, dancing, doing puzzles and playing bingo. She spent many of her summers in Boisdale with her late aunt Mary Campbell and cousins Marie and Casey Roznick. An annual gathering for her birthday festivities in Boisdale was something Margie looked forward to every year.

She is survived by her sister Helen MacNeil, Sydney Forks; brother Norman MacDonald, South Bar and many nieces and nephews, 1 grandniece and 9 grandnephews, who thought the world of her.

Visitation for Margie will take place Thursday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday at 11 am at Holy Redeemer Church with Rev. Paul Murphy officiating. Interment in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.

Special thanks to her many friends and staff at L’Arche, Antigonish and staff of Northside Community Guest Home.

Donations in her memory to L’Arche Antigonish.

Online condolences to www.twcurry.com

“You Are My Sunshine.”

Annual Soup and Biscuit

admin — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 00:21:50 +0000

Join L’Arche this Sunday for our annual Soup & Biscuit, 11am-1pm at St Ninian’s Place. All money raised goes to our sister community in Santo Domingo.

L’Arche opens new homes

admin — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:57:11 +0000

Aug. 3 was a day to celebrate as L’Arche Antigonish officially opened their new home on Hawthorne Street.
The house is actually two homes with the front taking the name of Hope House and the back Dixie after Dixie McMaster, a person instrumental in getting L’Arche formed in Antigonish back in the 1970s.
McMaster was a resident at R.K. MacDonald Nursing Home at the time.
There are doors connecting the two homes but both have their own entrance way and will operate as separate homes.
The house will be home to eight people with disabilities, all of whom will have their own private bedrooms.
“We’re so pleased to be here to officially open this new community home,” Gus Leuschner, executive director of L’Arche Antigonish said as part of his speech at the official opening ceremony. “We’ve worked with the department of Community Services to support people with disabilities in our community and we’re so appreciative of everyone’s efforts to make this home a reality.”
Following the well attended ceremony, Leuschner talked more about support which went into the new home.
“It’s one of those days of celebration when you realize just how many people are part of the circle which has allowed this day to happen,” Leuschner said.
“You realize that good things are always an expression of a group. That is what I’m living today, so I just want to go around and thank people. I guess the overriding emotion is… I’m just so grateful.”
He said there were times a couple of years ago when he thought the plan would “go off the rails.”
“That is when I kind of realized all I could do was my part and then see what happens,” he said. “And good things happened, but there were moments.”
L’Arche board chair Harvey Goldie talked about the large crowd of L’Arche members, including those from other communities, family members and supporters who gathered to help celebrate the day.
“We’re very appreciative to have such a great crowd turn out,” Goldie said. “And we were fortunate on the weather. If this had been yesterday, it could have been a little awkward.”
Goldie also said he was glad to hear the comments of Nova Scotia Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse regarding her’s and her government’s ongoing support for L’Arche.
“We’re looking forward to working with them in the years to come,” Goldie said.
The province invested $1.6 million in the home and, as Peterson-Rafuse pointed out in her speech, that money is part of $19 million her government has put towards more community living spaces, day programs and similar areas in a little over two years.
“And some of these areas haven’t seen an influx of dollars in decades so I can stand here and be very proud of that,” the minister said.
Following the ceremony, Peterson-Rafuse took a second tour around the house where she talked to residents and their families.
“It’s absolutely thrilling, I have tingles all over,” she said, relaxing in a living room of one of the new homes. “It’s very exciting to be part of a project that you know changes people’s lives. And not just for the individuals who now have a home to live in, but also for their families.”
In her speech, Peterson-Rafuse stated that the celebration wasn’t just for a new “structure,” but a real “home.” The line received a loud ovation from the crowd.
“Because it’s truly a home,” she said, expanding on the statement. “You walk through the house and it’s like my home, your home and everyone deserves that. It’s not an institution, it’s a home and that’s the difference.”
And while it was her Community Services department who played the biggest supporting role provincially, Peterson-Rafuse noted the important aspect with her government is having the different departments working closely together to make a positive difference for Nova Scotians.
“Our departments have to be collaborative and I work closely with my fellow ministers,” she said, noting in particular the working relationship developed through the Better Health Committee.
Richard MacKenzie, richardmac@thecasket.ca

New L’Arche home opens in Antigonish (The Casket)

admin — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:11:52 +0000

Eight people with disabilities will get the support they need while living more independently with the opening of a new L’Arche Antigonish community home.
The province’s Community Services Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse was at the official opening Wednesday.
Peterson-Rafuse said community-based homes ensure the needs of resi-dents are met while allowing them to live as independently as possible.
The province invested 1.6-million dollars in the home, the latest in a se-ries of recent investments to improve and expand services for Nova Scotians with disabilities.

L’Arche Antigonish house board presi-dent Harvey Goldie (left), resident Christian Gerro, Nova Scotia Commu-nity Service Minister Denise Peterson-Rafuse, resident Mary Kathleen O’Connell and executive director Gus Leuschner take part in the ribbon cut-ting ceremony for the new L’Arche community home in Antigonish Wednesday afternoon. (Richard MacKenzie photo)

Moving – An new community!

admin — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 00:56:06 +0000

This week we became a new community! Many people moved to a new house and we welcomed 8 new people – all in 5 days!

Here is a link to our facebook page with some pictures:

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.255690451123374.82339.165464923479261&type=1

Oh Canada…

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 23:53:59 +0000

Congratulations Carina on getting you Citizenship! Welcome to Canada!