FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

August 15^th  08 marked the Silver Anniversary of The Vineyard

          As St. Peter said “Neither silver nor gold do I have but I give you what I have”   It may have been a bare bones party hosted at the Flying “W” Farm restaurant and store, but it was better than silver or gold because of the residents, staff, volunteers, entertainers and supporters who came to mark the event on Sunday, August 17^th  .  Unlike a material tower or thing, the people reflected God’s love toward each other and thanks in His continued blessings of The Vineyard Home.  The day started with celebration of the Mass by the people and officiated by V. Rev. Adalbert Wolski, TOR at the Our Lady of the True Vine Chapel.

          Coffee, tea, donuts and pastries followed with much reminiscing and story telling about the ups and downs, mishaps and miracles over the twenty five years of operation and the nearly two years of fund raising and construction.  As 1400 hours approached  everyone checked on rides to move 10 miles to the Flying W Farms.  The folks were greeted by the trio “United” starting to entertain and a vast array of ham, potato salad, green bean casserole, cantaloupe and fruit salad and your choice of ice creams for desert.   But before the festivities begun V. Rev Adalbert Wolski, TOR lead the group in thanksgiving prayers.    

WHMG, the local radio station and affiliated member of the Global Catholic Radio Network, had their radio engineer, Eddie Donohue recording the music and interviews.  For you that were unable to attend, for a donation to The Vineyard Home you can join in the celebration.  Contact The Vineyard @ the address in this newsletter.  Will there be another 25 years?  Only God knows but if He continues to provide people like those here now it could go on forever.

Ruth Pliska, Rev Adalbert Wolski            Ruth Pliska & Pam Albert

                                                                         & Jim Dunethan

Bishops Advice!

          You know of the loss of two volunteer Benedictine Sisters from Tanzania that are now aiding Fr. Blaney’s Sharing Meadows villages in Indiana.  Well the Bishop also said we should affiliate with a stronger organization like L’Arche.   L’Arche said they had no surplus help, funds, nor means of taking on more then they already had.  However, Sharing Meadows has offered to assist The Vineyard in emergency staffing.  The Vineyard would need to compensate such staff but would have no long term commitment for Sharing Meadows’ staff assistance.   As Sharing Meadows obtains more staff they are committed to assist The Vineyard Home when staffing shortfalls take place.

Bits and Pieces of News

          Ohio Group Helps The Vineyard with major preservation of out buildings, Chapel and room painting at The Vineyard Home.  Brother Luke Stone, T.O.R of Church of the Assumption, Keyser, West Virginia working with Pastor Bill Linheart of the Calvary United Methodist Church in Keyser, arranged for the Youth group and Chaperones of

Medina, Ohio to devote several days effort in catch up repair and restoration.  Besides the material assistance, The Vineyardites were able to provide a new experience to the Ohio Folks by working along side and sharing time with them.  During an interview with two of the groups youth on WHMG,  their joy of accomplishment was only surpassed by their enthusiasm of their experience with the residents of The Vineyard Home.

                           Mission group from Ohio with the residents.

Visitors

          Sr. Clare Marie Carriger, from a Medical Clinic in Jamaica run by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, visited The Vineyard Home with Sr. Gloriosa Komba, O.S.B. from St. Agnes Convent, Chipole, Peramiho, Tanzania, E. Africa. 

          Mother Asante Goliama, O.S.B., Prioress of St Agnes Convent, along with Sr. Gloriosa, visited The Vineyard Home while making an inspection visit to the sisters they have in Benedictine Colleges in the U.S.  While visiting, Bobbie Donohue  took them to Deep Creek lake and viewed the other sights surrounding Purgitsville, West Virginia.

Sr. Gloriosa, Ruth & Mother Asante        Sr. Claire Marie &  Sr. Gloriosa

Good Search

GoodSearch.com is a Yahoo powered search engine that donates money to charities every time it is used.  The Vineyard Home is now designated as one of those charities.  Next time you need to search for something on the internet please go to goodsearch.com and designate The Vineyard Home as your desired charity and they will donate to our home. 

Sweet Tooth Winners!

          Bobbie Donohue is the Sunday Staff person on duty.  So what do the residents and she cook up?  A Dessert Contest for the “Sweet Tooth Bunch.”  The residents that wanted to try their culinary skills pick a dessert and on successive Sundays one at a time would be given the kitchen and Bobbie.  It was just too difficult to get one winner since each had a different recipe.  You won’t get a taste but a picture is a thousand words for the four residents who tried their skill.  CJ = French Apple pie,  Bill = Hummingbird Cake,  Suzanne = Strawberry Cake, and Linda = Pineapple upside down cake.  No tummy  aches but each won in their own category.  The prize by the Donohue’s, a cup with the residents picture with their dessert.  You can count on dessert when you visit.

Left to right:  Bill,        Suzanne,          Bobbie,       Clara Jane,     Linda

Needs and Wants!

After twenty five years of use you might need a few batteries changed as well as eye glasses.  The Vineyard Home is just like you and I.

          A.)  The plumbing doesn’t work as well or as efficiently

                   1. Hot water heaters need replacement.   One was recently                                       donated but another is needed.  About $325.00 installed

                   2.  Expansion tank on wood boiler is starting to leak

                             Replacement and installation in the middle to heating                                     season. About $475.00

                   3.  Commodes use too much water and internal parts are                                becoming hard to find.  Replacement commodes  2 of                                    11 have been replaced @ about $325.00 @.

          B.)  Twenty five years of furniture use has necessitated a             replacement program for furniture.  American Woodmark   Manufacturing, a builder of fine cabinets, from  Moorefield, WV          helped with a donation of $2,500.00.  With 12 bedrooms, two   conversations rooms and living room and dining room you can see     that we would only replace about two and one half bedrooms.

Wanted

More & more of aluminum pull tabs.  If everyone sent some (they are light in weight to mail) it would help us much.  Please consider and thanks to those who have already sent some.

From “the Broken Body” by Jean Vanier

          Founder of the L’Arche movement

Some get discouraged, because everything seems so small and so insignificant:  living all the time, perhaps, as at l’Arche, with the same few people who have a mental handicap.  The results are not very impressive.  Living in this way becomes possible only of we discover the contemplative aspect of our lives.  To live in the presence of Jesus and in the presence of broken people, desiring to be a sign of love.  To believe that in all that littleness, we can give joy and glory to the Father and be in him an agent of change.

Apple Butter Available

The Vineyard’s homemade apple butter is available for your gift giving needs.  We have quart, pint and ½ pint sizes ready to be shipped. 

Quart  -  $8.45                       Pint - $4.75                   ½ pint  - $3.00

Please send  ___________________ (quantity & size) of apple butter to:

Name ____________________________________

Address __________________________________

City/State/Zip ______________________________

I have enclosed $_________  for my order (see shipping charges below)

If merchandise amount is:                        shipping is:

                                                                   (per address)

$0.00 to $6.99                                          $6.50

 7.00 to    12.99                                        8.00

13.00 to   19.99                                        9.50

20.00 to   24.99                                        11.00

25.00  to  29.99                                        12.50

30.00  to  34.99                                        14.00

35.00  to  41.99                                        15.50

42.00  to  49.99                                        17.00

50.00  to  57.99                                        18.50

58.00  to  64.99                                        20.00

65.00 or over please call

Please accept my donation of $______________ to help support The Vineyard Home.

This gift is in memory of _________________________

This gift is in honor of ___________________________

Donor’s name __________________________________

Address _______________________________________

City/State/Zip __________________________________

Don’t forget, you can receive the newsletter electronically, just send an email to     vineyardhome@frontiernet.net with your name and email address!!!