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Archives OLA - a home set apart for prayer

Dec. 17, 2014

By Suzanne Pietropaoli
Staff writer

Ellenburg Center - Quiet, humble, faithful, prayerful: Advent words all.  Words, too, that describe Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer, where for 40 years people have come to listen, to pray, and - in some cases - to live. 

Rich in history, and in opportunities for spiritual development, this house now faces an uncertain future.
Founded in 1972 by diocesan priest, Father Joseph Trombley, Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer focuses on helping people grow closer to God.

It is, according to its website, “…a home set apart from the distractions and responsibilities of daily life where a person may go to experience various kinds of prayer, leading one into the very Mystery of Christ Himself.”
Drawing on its early connection with Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario (with which Father Trombley associated), OLA House of Prayer has continued the Russian tradition of Poustinia. 

In this unique approach to seeking God in solitude, a person spends time - a day, half-day, or less - alone with the Lord and the Scriptures, fasting on bread and water, coffee or tea. Occasionally people who are used to this type of prayer will extend their time in Poustinia.

But solitude is certainly not the only way to pray at OLA.

Special prayer experiences
The House of Prayer hosts Eucharistic Adoration, Healing Masses, and group retreat days, as well as individuals who stop by to pray or to seek intercession for their needs or those of others.

Many have attended Life in the Spirit seminars at the house.  Ongoing training has been offered in Christian Healing Ministries’ School of Healing Prayer, as well as workshops in Ignatian spirituality, including meditation, contemplation, prayer of examen, and rules for the discernment of spirits.

Marian spirituality has been another focus, along with preparation for the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.

Why House of Prayer matters
Rita Breen of Dannemora has participated in most of these events. President of the OLA Board, she has also mowed the lawn, cleaned and painted, and helped install a new kitchen.

More than most, she knows why the House of Prayer matters.

“The presence of Christ is here, and his peace is here,” she said. “The hospitality is beautiful - there is a warm welcome always. There is just so much love here!

“The love that built this place is evident everywhere, and is always offered to everyone,” Mrs. Breen said. “All are welcome here; it is not our house, but God’s house.

“People are hungry to know God in a personal way, and OLA is a wonderful place for that to happen,” she said.
But Mrs. Breen fears that this vital work could end.  “I, and lots of others, have prayed, asked, and begged on behalf of Our Lady of the Adirondacks. I don’t want to see it close…but unless things change, it very well could.”  

Despite its warm hospitality and abundant offerings, Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer remains understaffed, underused, and underfunded.

Three pressing needs
Pat Hanley, resident director for the past five years, identifies three pressing needs.

At the top of her list is vocations to the community.

“OLA was founded as a lay apostolate, an authentic call from God, and right now we have a big need for vocations to this work and this place,” she said.

“Ours is a lay life, very simple, centered on living, working, and praying in a community atmosphere of peace and joy,” she said.

“Though I am retired, this life is compatible with outside employment,” she said. “Currently I am the only staff person, which is not ideal and has not always been the case. Recently we have had some inquirers; a few have come to discern, but no one has stayed.

“The OLA vision has always included community, so new vocations are essential,” she said. “Whom could God be calling to join us?  Praying, visiting, and discerning are the important steps in this process; we pray that those whom God calls will actively consider this!”

Mrs. Hanley is also concerned that the House of Prayer is neither as well-known nor as well-used as it could be.
“What we offer here is unique, but few outside our immediate area seem to know we are here,” she said. “We are grateful for the local people and groups who make use of the house: those who come for Poustinia or other individual retreats, and the Altar-Rosary, Catholic Daughters, and other groups who come for retreat days. They find it helpful to come away from the parish, to a different atmosphere, for these events, and we are happy to host them.

“We would like to welcome such groups and retreatants from other parts of the diocese as well,” she said.
Finally, Mrs. Hanley cites the financial realities facing the House of Prayer.

“Economic uncertainty is woven into OLA past and present,” she explains. “We have always existed on donations and stipends for the use of the facility.  Recently we have been relying heavily on two bequests, but the future looks bleak unless our revenues increase substantially.” 

Mrs. Hanley has even tried an unusual approach to this problem: she opened “The Lost Sheep Quilt Shop” adjacent to the House of Prayer to bring in a bit of income. It also brings quilters together for good fellowship and sometimes offers opportunities to pray for their needs.

Father Jack Downs, OLA‘s spiritual director, was a close friend of the founder, Father Trombley who died in 2001.
“Father Joe devoted much of his life to this place,” he recalls, “and he worked tirelessly to encourage growth in prayer and community.  He, like we, knew how important volunteers are to help meet the many needs of the House of Prayer.

“There is,” he laughs, “one kind of help we need which he did not - somebody with advanced computer skills!” 
Father Downs notes that, “The house has been blessed by Bishop LaValley’s visits and by his interest in OLA. He has encouraged us to expand our board to pull in more expertise, and we are doing that now.

“The bishop is very supportive of our mission,” Father Downs said.

Marika Donders, Diocesan Director of Evangelization, recently visited Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer for the first time and came away impressed.

“The House of Prayer is a fabulous resource for parish groups - councils, catechists, leadership teams - looking for a place for retreats/workshops,” she said. “It is a place to ‘come away for a while’ and be blessed.”

To send donations:
Donations to the house of prayer may be sent to : Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer, 7270 Star Road, Rt. 190,  Ellenburg Center, NY 12934. Further information is available by phone, (518)594-3253;  email: olaprayerhouse@gmail.com or  website: www.home.catholicweb.com/OurLadyoftheAdirondacksHouseofPrayer

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The Our Lady of the Adirdondacks House of Prayer in Ellenburg Center was founded by Father Joseph Trombley in 1972 as a place to help people grow closer to God.

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Rita Breen, president of the Our Lady of the Adirondacks House of Prayer board, and Pat Hanley, resident director of the house, are shown in “The Lost Sheep Quilt Shop” adjacent to the House of Prayer . The shop was opened to bring   income to the House of Prayer.

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The chapel is a site for Eucharistic Adoration and healing Masses, among other prayer experiences at the House of Prayer.

 

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