Marian Centre opened in 1966 in response to an invitation by Archbishop Michael O’Neill that Madonna House Apostolate come to Regina to serve the poor of this city.
The people of the Archdiocese of Regina responded overwhelmingly with labour, funds, and materials to convert an abandoned printing shop into a place of refuge and peace. Since then, we have continued to do little things, and we praise and celebrate God who touched and changed hearts though it all.
The Marian Centre is a place of encounter between rich and poor, indigenous and non-indigenous, new arrivals to the city and those who have lived their whole lives here. Here we seek to form a community of love and to be a place of encounter: We meet Christ in the poor and in all who come to our doors.
We believe caring for the poor is the duty of every Christian. But more than a duty, it is a privilege, for Christ said, “What you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me.” He invites us to feed him in the hungry and clothe him in the naked. And as we do, we become aware of our own inner poverty and dependence on the Lord for everything. This privilege we share with our many volunteers and benefactors.
Our dining room is on the main floor, and also serves as a recreation area for reading, playing cards, and conversation. We serve a noon meal to men, women and children on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and are open for drop-in hospitality Tuesday mornings, when we also assist men with their clothing requests. There is no charge, no questions asked, no judgements made.
Many of those who come to Marian Centre live their lives on the street or in solitary rooms. They come here to find a place where they can be at peace and feel at home. Lonely pensioners come as much for companionship as for a meal to stretch their limited income. Some are physically disabled, while others have mental health limitations or are new arrivals to the city and to the country. Many are young men and women already discouraged and devastated by addiction. There are those who are between jobs and transients looking for work. And there are others who worked hard all their lives, but now are simply worked out. Each has his or her own stories, some beautiful, some sad. For the staff, they become friends whom we love and pray for.
Prayer is central to the life of Marian Centre. We, the staff of Marian Centre, joined Madonna House because of a longing for union with God, and prayer has always been at the heart of our life here. It is prayer that gives us strength and compassion to share and prayer that helps us go on serving from day to day. We pray for those we serve, for our volunteers, benefactors, for all those who enter our doors, and for all the people of the Regina area. Our little chapel, where the Eucharist is reserved, is central to our lives.
Marian Centre receives no monetary support from the government, and its staff receive no salaries. We continue to be beggars on a day-to-day level, calling forth the support of the whole community to care for their brothers and sisters in need. Countless people from Regina and the surrounding area provide for our needs: food, clothing, money, prayers, and many hours of work.
Volunteers are welcome at Marian Centre, to join us in the many little jobs that need to be done each day; kitchen work, cleaning, helping serve the meals, responding to clothing requests. We thank God for their help and for every gift that makes our life here possible.
