Galilee Basic Oblate Community helping in Local Community

An ecumenical, volunteer run, drop in Centre in Arnprior, the NeighbourLink Fountain, has been blessed with Galilee Basic Oblate Community members who regularly volunteer:  Marie Morgan,  Dave Morgan, Ken Mansfield, Yvon Ouelett and Karen Ann McKinna.  Fr. Roy Boucher, OMI and Fr. Richard C. Kelly, OMI have been extensively involved in helping  to provide donations to the NLF Thrift Shop which helps people in the community with much needed goods as well as selling to others to earn money to keep the doors open.

NeighbourLink Fountain offers assistance in connecting with resources in the community, workshops on topics of interest such as budgeting, accessing legal aid, sexual harassment, etc.,  crafts and games, free lunches and snacks,  and good company.  Prayer is offered when requested.

An application for the NeighbourLink Fountain to the United Way required a sponsor in order to obtain some funding and the OMI Galilee Retreat/Renewal Centre offered, and is making this happen.

Speaking of the Galilee Retreat/Renewal Centre, the Galilee Basic Oblate Community and the Centre have been hosting an annual Breakfast and Visit for the volunteer leaders at the Fountain to give them a break in the beautiful building and grounds of Galilee, in appreciation for all they do in serving the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged in the Ottawa Valley.

Cementing this relationship of ongoing gratitude to the NLF,  Ontario District Leadership of OMI Lacombe Canada made the NeighbourLink Fountain the recipient of a generous monetary donation in 2019.

What a blessing it is to belong to such a caring group as the Galilee Basic Oblate Community.

By Karen Ann McKinna – Oblate Associate