I gathered our little family and we said a Rosary.  Then, in good Benedictine fashion, I explained the problem and asked everyone what they thought I should do.  Starting with Fraser, our youngest, each answer was the same.  Something like, “I know how important CERC is, so let the teaching job go.  We'll trust the Lord to look after us."  I called Fr. Hamilton and turned down the job.  It was a leap of faith.

Soon after, we began our drive back home to Powell River.  When we got to Manitoba, we stopped in the little town of Wawanesa where my mother had been born.  That afternoon, I suddenly remembered that some time ago my friend and mentor, Tom Langan, had told me about a friend of his, a Catholic philanthropist, who lived in Saskatchewan.  I cold-called this gentleman and told him about CERC and that we were looking for funding.  He told me he was leaving for Arizona in two days, but that if we could make it to Regina the next day we could talk.  It was perfect timing.

We set up camp in Wawanesa that night, but a huge thunderstorm hit and our tent was flattened.  So we just chucked everything, soaking wet, in the car and headed for Regina, following the drama of the storm as it raced across the prairies.

After a very congenial time with this lovely man, we left with a cheque in hand for a full year's funding.  To celebrate, Madeleine and I took the kids to a hotel for dinner and a welcome sleep in beds after three weeks of camping.  The kids had never stayed in a hotel before; what a treat!

And so we made our way home.

Our patron in Regina died some years ago.  Today, it is the small and large donations from those of you who appreciate this service that keeps us afloat.  Please help us to carry on with a donation this Advent.  God bless you, and thank you for being an essential part of this work.