IT ALL BEGAN WITH A CUP OF TEA…
The special place that today is Marian Residence Retirement Home began as a simple response to the needs of the elderly in our time. It came about as a result of the caring commitment of Mother Mary Josephine Mulligan, Foundress of the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate.
In 1977, Mother Mary Josephine received permission from Bishop Reding to start the religious community in Guelph, Ontario. In August of 1980, Mother Mary Josephine and her little group of Sisters moved to Cambridge, Ontario. While in Cambridge, Mother visited seniors in their homes and would even invite them for tea at the Convent. During these visits she noticed that the seniors were very much alone in their own homes. Through that experience the idea that would become Marian Residence Retirement Home was born. Mother Mary Josephine later fixed into the Constitutions of the Sisters of Our Lady Immaculate a statement of the needs she saw and the role of her Sisters in meeting them:
"The social circumstances of our elderly today call us to turn our attention to their needs: their loneliness, economic insecurity, and spiritual care. The Sisters will strive to assist the elderly in their needs in trying to alleviate their fears and by helping them to prepare for a happy death."
In August of 1986, the original farmhouse building in Preston Heights – the "White House," --as it was affectionately called – was purchased and became the first home of Marian Residence Retirement Home with a capacity of 16 to 19 residents. Two Sisters would stay with the residents each night and the rest of the Sisters lived in a Convent next to St. Clement's Church in Preston.
In November of 1994, under the careful supervision of our special friend and benefactor Mr. Robert MacDonald, the construction of the new retirement home began. By May of 1995, the first phase of the construction was completed, creating space for about 34 residents. The following year, in June 1996, Mother Mary Josephine was called home to the Lord while the community she started continued its special mission.
Again, with Mr. MacDonald still helping as supervisor, the second phase of construction continued. By May 2000, the construction was complete, bringing the total number of rooms to 49 including double rooms. Today, Marian Residence provides a joyful community and a caring Catholic Home for retired citizens of the local region who are eager to live their faith.