By Brendan Bitz, Director of Queen’s House of Retreat and Renewal

• The majority of our staff are enrolled in the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) program which has allowed them to stay safe at home and to maintain their homes and families in the short term. We are most grateful for this support and pray often for the members of our medical and civic agencies
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• We are operating with a skeleton staff focused on completing upgrading, repair and maintenance projects already underway, managing the needs and requirements of local Oblate personnel and ministries, and engaging in the community coordination efforts required to respond the the challenges of C-19. That Queen’s House has not yet been required in some practical way to assist with this challenge is seen as a definite positive sign – to be prepared but not needed is much better that the alternative.
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• Because we were already knee deep in our Spring Fling Raffle when COVID-19 reminded us of our vulnerabilities, we have elected to continue with this initiative. We did not have the manpower to unwind, and have very much appreciated those who are participating and thereby supporting the ministry of Queen’s House. We judge by the number of calls that we receive requesting care and support that the ministry of Queen’s House will be even more important to our community on the other side of this crisis. There is still time to participate and support Queen’s House from your home – ticket sales end April 30, midnight, and draws begin May 1. Visit Spring Fling Raffle for further details or call 306-242-1916 to purchase your tickets over the phone.