Between the Hearts Renewal Centre Completed
July / 2016
It has been a long haul but the Centre is now complete and ready for use.
June 4th was slotted to have a grand opening celebration in thanksgiving.
Archbishop Anthony Mancini presided and celebrated a Mass of Eucharist.
Following there was a luncheon, tour and social time to enjoy the new space.
A new web-site has been created to get info and promote rental/use of the facility.
www.betweenthehearts.weebly.com
Please visit the website if you are considering using the Centre for more information.
July / 2016
It has been a long haul but the Centre is now complete and ready for use.
June 4th was slotted to have a grand opening celebration in thanksgiving.
Archbishop Anthony Mancini presided and celebrated a Mass of Eucharist.
Following there was a luncheon, tour and social time to enjoy the new space.
A new web-site has been created to get info and promote rental/use of the facility.
www.betweenthehearts.weebly.com
Please visit the website if you are considering using the Centre for more information.
Between The Hearts Renewal Centre Rebuilding
June/2015
It's been a year and the new addition to the Between the Hearts Renewal Centre is near completed. It is expected to be fully finished by September 2015 and there is much excitement with the reality of regaining use of the facility again in the air. Gratitude overflows from the hearts of organizers for those who have contributed to making this challenging adventure come to life. Thank you one and all! Even though the facility is almost complete, there is still need for funding and donations and volunteers to put to rest the final touches. Consider your part!
A huge thank you also goes out to Bill and Andrea MacIntyre from the Light of Life prayer group at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Halifax, who have organized the annual Pentecost Celebration on Pentecost Sunday. They have worked hard at making this event meaningful for everyone each year for many years. It is with that gratitude that we accepted their resignation from this task and passed it onto the ASC (Archdiocesan Service Team) (us) to continue their dedication and effort over the years. We will keep you posted as we begin our task of bringing this event to you.
Please take a look at our brochure for our upcoming Day of Renewal in November. You can download the brochure under our "Events" page of this web-site. Join us as we discuss our role in showing mercy.
June/2014
It has been a while since we have updated news on this project but it certainly has not been a while in the progress of the new centre. It is now built to roof-tite status (weather-tite structure with roof, windows and doors) with electrical and plumbing started near completion (see the "We Support" page for a slide show of the Centre). Insulation, drywall, paint and finish will begin over the summer. Before you know it, it will be ready for participants and guests. During these last stages there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to help out with the finishing touches. Just contact Gerard MacDonald at the Centre to find out what's going on when. It is a satisfying way to contribute your talent to a worthy cause. Make an effort to get involved!
Oct. 1 / 2012
On Sept. 28-30th the ASC (Atlantic Service Committee) had gathered to discuss renewal in the Atlantic area. The Renewal Centre was on everyone's mind. As you may know the ASC has been discussing the "rebuilding" of the existing Centre. It was decided last year that there was enough funds raised to begin the building process. After a Major amount of time spent by Director Gerard MacDonald and his team, it looks like the building process will begin within the next few weeks. There were many obsticles to climb over including permits for demolition of the existing buiding and building the new, engineering the proper land filll and slab over a marsh as well as land and deed issues. Now that these have all been addressed only the blue prints need to be finalized to begin construction. Meanwhile, costs to demolish the existing building have been approved and will proceed in the next few weeks. As part of their meeting a sod-turning ceremony took place on Sept. 30th to give rise to new life for the Centre and for renewal all over the Atlantic region.
The new building will be two storeys and have 20 rooms for sleeping quarters with two single beds in each and a shared bath for every two rooms. It will also have a new kitchen, small meeting room, office and large foye to enter in. New bathrooms will be built in a breezeway between the remaining large meeting hall and the new building. In the large foye there will be wall space designated for plaques of some kind (to be determined) to commemorate those who have contributed to the new Centre.
This milestone for the Centre will prove to be a significant one as the Centre has already received inquiries about the use of the new facility. It is hopeful that the new Centre will be reopened by next spring/summer. There is much work to be done and their hope is that there will be enough volunteers with some expert skills to keep the project moving forward. To get it off on the right foot, proffessional carpenters will be consulted to get the new building roof-tight. Once it is closed in more volunteers will be welcomed to help out with the interior design.
Gerard MacDonald is asking everyone to consider giving some of their time to contribute to the cause. Many hands make light work as the saying goes. If you can not give of your time please consider contributing with donations to keep the funds needed to complete the project coming in so that there will be no delays. This Centre has meant a lot to everyone who has had any association with it and it needs to get back in operation as soon as possible. God has certainly blessed this place and the people who come here and he isn't finished with it yet!
God be with this Between The Hearts Renewal Centre!
Oct. 8 / 2012
During the past week preparations for demolition of the Between the Hearts Renewal Centre were underway as some stripping of the old units took place to salvage any re-usable material. Once this is done any metals, copper and the such that can be sold as salvage and recycling will be removed and taken to be dealt with in the proper manner. After that it will be time to tear down the old structure and taken to the land-fill. It is becoming exciting to see this project begin after so much talk and planning and fundraising to get to this point. It makes one (me) want to jump right in and be a part of the reality.
Nov. 3 / 2012
We just received word that the back section (attached to the large hall) of the renewal centre has been demolished and taken away to the land-fill. This is exciting news as this commits the progress of re-building to take place. The next step now is to begin preparations for the new foundation and concreate slab. Because the centre is surrounded by marshland it will take some speacial care to compact the soil in the area the centre will be built on to eleviate settling and heaving of the foundation and slab in the future. How much further building will proceed after the foundation will depend on how well the weather and cold holds out. If winter sets in before building can start it may have to wait untill spring. Snow removal from the building area can be expensive not to mention the material stored outside; left to the elements. Time to start planning!
Nov. 15 / 2012
The back wing of the Between the Hearts Renewal Centre (attached to the large hall) has been demolished. (see the added pictures to the slide show under the "we support" page) This certainly shows the committment of the Centre to progress with its plan to rebuild. At this time of year it may be spring before further action can be taken to continue construction of the new building, but at long last we can begin to see the vision come to life. Let's keep praying for the success of this venture and continue our support.
April 16 / 2013
The ASC had their semi-annual meeting recently and, among other important things, reviewed the progress of the rebuilding of the Renewal Centre. Plans have been drawn up and approved for permit. Now that the winter is near out of site preparations for the new foundation can begin. Once this is finished the structure can start which will surely reveal obvious progress. A construction company has been chosen to get the building "roof-tight" which means they will get the building weather tight. That is; walls, roof, siding and windows. Plumbing and electrical contractors are also on hold untill the structure is roof-tight. We are excited about this project finaly becoming a reality and look forward to seeing its progress very soon.
The members of the ASC also discussed renewing their web-site, fundraising, The Atlantic Renewal paper, letters of support to be sent to businesses and individuals, the Summer Conference and brochure, and recruiting volunteers to help with the construction of the Renewal Centre (call the Renewal Centre or contact us if interested in volunteering). Jobs such as electrical, insulation, drywall, paint, trim work, flooring, and even cleaners. There is something for everyone so get involved!
June/2015
It's been a year and the new addition to the Between the Hearts Renewal Centre is near completed. It is expected to be fully finished by September 2015 and there is much excitement with the reality of regaining use of the facility again in the air. Gratitude overflows from the hearts of organizers for those who have contributed to making this challenging adventure come to life. Thank you one and all! Even though the facility is almost complete, there is still need for funding and donations and volunteers to put to rest the final touches. Consider your part!
A huge thank you also goes out to Bill and Andrea MacIntyre from the Light of Life prayer group at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Halifax, who have organized the annual Pentecost Celebration on Pentecost Sunday. They have worked hard at making this event meaningful for everyone each year for many years. It is with that gratitude that we accepted their resignation from this task and passed it onto the ASC (Archdiocesan Service Team) (us) to continue their dedication and effort over the years. We will keep you posted as we begin our task of bringing this event to you.
Please take a look at our brochure for our upcoming Day of Renewal in November. You can download the brochure under our "Events" page of this web-site. Join us as we discuss our role in showing mercy.
June/2014
It has been a while since we have updated news on this project but it certainly has not been a while in the progress of the new centre. It is now built to roof-tite status (weather-tite structure with roof, windows and doors) with electrical and plumbing started near completion (see the "We Support" page for a slide show of the Centre). Insulation, drywall, paint and finish will begin over the summer. Before you know it, it will be ready for participants and guests. During these last stages there will be plenty of opportunity for everyone to help out with the finishing touches. Just contact Gerard MacDonald at the Centre to find out what's going on when. It is a satisfying way to contribute your talent to a worthy cause. Make an effort to get involved!
Oct. 1 / 2012
On Sept. 28-30th the ASC (Atlantic Service Committee) had gathered to discuss renewal in the Atlantic area. The Renewal Centre was on everyone's mind. As you may know the ASC has been discussing the "rebuilding" of the existing Centre. It was decided last year that there was enough funds raised to begin the building process. After a Major amount of time spent by Director Gerard MacDonald and his team, it looks like the building process will begin within the next few weeks. There were many obsticles to climb over including permits for demolition of the existing buiding and building the new, engineering the proper land filll and slab over a marsh as well as land and deed issues. Now that these have all been addressed only the blue prints need to be finalized to begin construction. Meanwhile, costs to demolish the existing building have been approved and will proceed in the next few weeks. As part of their meeting a sod-turning ceremony took place on Sept. 30th to give rise to new life for the Centre and for renewal all over the Atlantic region.
The new building will be two storeys and have 20 rooms for sleeping quarters with two single beds in each and a shared bath for every two rooms. It will also have a new kitchen, small meeting room, office and large foye to enter in. New bathrooms will be built in a breezeway between the remaining large meeting hall and the new building. In the large foye there will be wall space designated for plaques of some kind (to be determined) to commemorate those who have contributed to the new Centre.
This milestone for the Centre will prove to be a significant one as the Centre has already received inquiries about the use of the new facility. It is hopeful that the new Centre will be reopened by next spring/summer. There is much work to be done and their hope is that there will be enough volunteers with some expert skills to keep the project moving forward. To get it off on the right foot, proffessional carpenters will be consulted to get the new building roof-tight. Once it is closed in more volunteers will be welcomed to help out with the interior design.
Gerard MacDonald is asking everyone to consider giving some of their time to contribute to the cause. Many hands make light work as the saying goes. If you can not give of your time please consider contributing with donations to keep the funds needed to complete the project coming in so that there will be no delays. This Centre has meant a lot to everyone who has had any association with it and it needs to get back in operation as soon as possible. God has certainly blessed this place and the people who come here and he isn't finished with it yet!
God be with this Between The Hearts Renewal Centre!
Oct. 8 / 2012
During the past week preparations for demolition of the Between the Hearts Renewal Centre were underway as some stripping of the old units took place to salvage any re-usable material. Once this is done any metals, copper and the such that can be sold as salvage and recycling will be removed and taken to be dealt with in the proper manner. After that it will be time to tear down the old structure and taken to the land-fill. It is becoming exciting to see this project begin after so much talk and planning and fundraising to get to this point. It makes one (me) want to jump right in and be a part of the reality.
Nov. 3 / 2012
We just received word that the back section (attached to the large hall) of the renewal centre has been demolished and taken away to the land-fill. This is exciting news as this commits the progress of re-building to take place. The next step now is to begin preparations for the new foundation and concreate slab. Because the centre is surrounded by marshland it will take some speacial care to compact the soil in the area the centre will be built on to eleviate settling and heaving of the foundation and slab in the future. How much further building will proceed after the foundation will depend on how well the weather and cold holds out. If winter sets in before building can start it may have to wait untill spring. Snow removal from the building area can be expensive not to mention the material stored outside; left to the elements. Time to start planning!
Nov. 15 / 2012
The back wing of the Between the Hearts Renewal Centre (attached to the large hall) has been demolished. (see the added pictures to the slide show under the "we support" page) This certainly shows the committment of the Centre to progress with its plan to rebuild. At this time of year it may be spring before further action can be taken to continue construction of the new building, but at long last we can begin to see the vision come to life. Let's keep praying for the success of this venture and continue our support.
April 16 / 2013
The ASC had their semi-annual meeting recently and, among other important things, reviewed the progress of the rebuilding of the Renewal Centre. Plans have been drawn up and approved for permit. Now that the winter is near out of site preparations for the new foundation can begin. Once this is finished the structure can start which will surely reveal obvious progress. A construction company has been chosen to get the building "roof-tight" which means they will get the building weather tight. That is; walls, roof, siding and windows. Plumbing and electrical contractors are also on hold untill the structure is roof-tight. We are excited about this project finaly becoming a reality and look forward to seeing its progress very soon.
The members of the ASC also discussed renewing their web-site, fundraising, The Atlantic Renewal paper, letters of support to be sent to businesses and individuals, the Summer Conference and brochure, and recruiting volunteers to help with the construction of the Renewal Centre (call the Renewal Centre or contact us if interested in volunteering). Jobs such as electrical, insulation, drywall, paint, trim work, flooring, and even cleaners. There is something for everyone so get involved!