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Mission Statement

LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR

Continuing the work of Saint Jeanne Jugan, our mission is to offer the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home where they will be welcomed as Christ, cared for as family and accompanied with dignity until God calls them to himself.

What God Has Joined TogetherMeet Stan and Anna“God who is love and who created man and woman for love has called them to love. By creating man and woman he called them to an intimate communion of life and love in marriage.” Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Our Residents come to us with varied backgrounds, but usually as a single person. What a blessing for us to have four married couples living in our Home. It is such an inspiration to see the love and strength of their marriages, each lived out differently, but with true devotion. As members of our Family, they enrich and bring us closer to each other and to Christ.

The touching story of one couple, Stan and Anna Keilar, begins in their native Poland. Stan and Anna knew each other as children, but lost touch, as life took them on different paths. With two young daughters, Anna was widowed 27 years ago. Stan has lived in the U.S. for over 20 years, traveling frequently

back to Poland. It was during a trip that he found out Anna’s husband had died of cancer. Stan and his wife attended the funeral. Stan’s wife also fought cancer and passed away seven years ago. Four years later, on a trip to Poland, Stan looked up Anna. Stan decided to stay. Their friendship rekindled and grew deeper and they were married on April 13, 2010.

Last year, while visiting their niece, they started to consider living in this area. Looking for places to live, they came to our Home. Upon entering, Anna said it was like a dream come true! They knew immediately that this is where they belonged.

The happiness Stan and Anna feel being together as husband and wife permeates to everyone they meet. Their beautiful smiles and joyful eyes more than make up for any limitations in their English. Not a person can walk past them without receiving a friendly “hello”, huge smile and a wave of their hands.

Serving the elderly poor in Palatine since 1965

Vol.1 No.5 Fall 2013

St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly

St. Joseph’s Home for the Elderly 80 W. Northwest HighwayPalatine, IL 60067 847-358-5700 www.LittleSistersofthePoorPalatine.org

� September 30, 2013 Swing and a Prayer Golf Outing

� October 24, 2013 Jeanne Jugan Dinner

� November 7, 2013 Home for the Holidays Wine Tasting

Anna, Stan and their grandson Benjamin, enjoy the flower gardens surrounding our Home.

(continued on the back page)

Little Sisters of the Poor

On Saturday, June 29th the front of the chapel was filled with gorgeous bouquets of flowers and a large “50” made of carnations. In front of her Little Sisters, family and friends, Sr. Genevieve of St. Margaret Mary renewed her vows in celebration of her Golden Jubilee as a Little Sister of the Poor.

A beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Bishop George J. Rassas, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago, with Bishop Andrew J. McDonald, Father George J. Auger,

C.S.V., and Father Francis Kiley, OFM Conv., concelebrating.

Sr. Genevieve’s family traveled from each Coast – East and West to join in this joyous occasion. Sister was born in California, the sixth of 13 children. Her older sister is also a Little Sister of the Poor, Sr. Elisabeth Ann, who is assigned at Queen of Peace Residence in New York.

Traditionally for Jubilee celebrations, the next stop after Mass is the second floor infirmary, where our staff put on special entertainment. This was no exception. Sr.

I have Called You, You are MineSr. Genevieve’s Golden Jubilee

Mickey escorts Sr. Genevieve around memory lane.

Genevieve was enthusiastically greeted by a football team and cheerleaders (CNAs & Nurses). They showed us some of their moves and cheers on the field and ended with a “shout-out” to Sister.

After a delicious dinner of salmon and chicken, we returned to the auditorium for more Jubilee entertainment. The walls of the auditorium were decorated with scenes from Redondo Beach, CA, Disneyland, Hollywood, Graumann’s Chinese Theatre, Richmond, VA, and the Mission of San Juan Capistrano. Two very special guests, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse were our tour guides showing us each of these important places of Sister’s life.

A Disney Marching Band (Residents, volunteers, and friends) had the audience tapping their feet and clapping their hands to the beat. We met Carole Lombard (Resident, Beverly DiPasquale) at Graumann’s and ran into the Seven Dwarfs, Captain Hook, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty (Sr. Maria de la Luz’ nieces and nephews) along the way.

We thank God for the graces of Sr. Genevieve’s Jubilee, for Sr. Genevieve’s “yes”, and God’s faithfulness to her which enabled us to celebrate this happy occasion. Happy Golden Jubilee Sr. Genevieve!

Bishop George Rassas, with Sr. Genevieve (center), Sr. Elisabeth Ann (right) and their family, celebrated Sr. Genevieve’s Golden Jubilee as a Little Sister of the Poor.

Don’t miss this Delicious five course traDitional french Dinner prepareD by chefs anDy Webber anD tony stallone

in honor of st. Jeanne Jugan’s birthDay.

thursDay, october 24, 2013 5 pm at st. Joseph’s home

tickets are $100 per person seats are limiteD

contact Diana olson at 847-358-5700 or Dvpalatine@littlesistersofthepoor.org

for more information.

ten DraWings -ten chances to Win

nine $500 Weekly DraWings beginning saturDay, september 7, 2013.

$5,000 granD prize Will be DraWn

saturDay, november 9, 2013.

return the encloseD tickets for your chance to Win!

10 Week CLub Jeanne JuGan DInner

Charlotte welcomes Sr. amy to St. Joseph’ s Home and gives Sister one of her crosses.

around Our Home

Maya and Derek host TOT. Beginning in 1981 at St. James Parish in Arlington Heights, TOT has spread worldwide. It is a series of events centered on faith topics designed to reach young people.

Charlotte Homes is well known at our Home for the beautiful crosses that she lovingly hand makes and gives as gifts to many Residents and Little Sisters. In fact, Charlotte’s crosses are so popular that she currently has 13 requests for her crosses. Each cross takes about a day and a half of steady work to make. She tries to make each one unique with special details for the person receiving it.

A few years ago at Christmas, Charlotte made some crosses as gifts for her friends at her dinner table. Sr. Mary William saw how beautiful the crosses were and requested one and, before you knew it, everyone wanted one of Charlotte’s beautiful crosses for themselves and their loved ones.

One of the most remarkable things about these crosses is how they have dispersed throughout the country and the world. Charlotte often gives her crosses as gifts to the Sisters whenever they travel. Her crosses have been brought all over the United States including California, Indiana, Virginia, Florida, New York, Arizona, Colorado, and Michigan. But the expansion of the crosses does not stop there. These works of art can also be found outside of the United States in Rome, Canada, Mexico, Prague, Puerto Rico, and Australia.

It is amazing how Charlotte’s talent has touched so many people. From her room at St. Joseph’s Home in Palatine, she has been able to send a symbol of Jeanne Jugan’s love all over the world.

Charlotte’s Crosses

Theology on TapIf “Theology on Tap” (TOT) was good for young people, it also had to be

good for “young at heart” people - especially during this Year of Faith. Based on this philosophy, Nurse and Association Jeanne Jugan member Maya Alba and her friend Derek Nordstrom decided to bring it here.

The participation at our monthly meetings has been enthusiastic. Impressive topics from a Resident Suggestion Box included, Lives of Saints, Christology, Eschatology, and Mariology. Thanks to Maya and Derek for recognizing the faith of our Residents and giving them the opportunity to share and grow.

“We must do all through love.” St. Jeanne Jugan

Our Chapel was filled during the Mass of Thanksgiving in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of Sr. Genevieve.

We are asking for your financial help to upgrade to a new sprinkler system in the Chapel. It is one of the largest areas in our home and this vital project will cost $150,000.

Our spiritual needs are essential to us and our Chapel draws us closer to Christ in the Tabernacle. We would be so grateful for any help that you can give us with this project. You can count on our grateful prayers for you and your intentions each time we gather together there.

Many people who visit our Chapel tell us that we have a hidden gem, an oasis of holiness tucked away on the second floor. As well as holding daily Mass at 11:00 AM (10:30 AM on Sundays and Holydays), it is also a frequent respite for Residents, Little Sisters and staff making spiritual visits throughout the day.

With a capacity of almost 200 and easily accessible for all of our Residents, it is the place where we often come together as a family. Celebrating the eternal lives of our Residents, many funerals are held in our Chapel. In thanksgiving for the vocations of our Little Sisters, many Jubilee Masses are also offered there.

Hidden Gem

a Moment With MotherAugust is a special month for us as we celebrate the Feast of St. Jeanne Jugan . Her words,”If God is with

us, it will be accomplished”, described her unwavering faith in God’s Divine Providence. Last year, Pope Benedict called on all of us to strengthen our faith. It seems like yesterday that we were opening up our Year of Faith Room. As we approach the close of the Year of Faith, we reflect on our journey.

Once a month we discussed and investigated our faith in Theology on Tap (page 3). Pilgrimages were made or are planned to the Shrine of Christ’s Passion in St. John, IN, Holy Hill in Wisconsin, Marytown in Libertyville, St. Theresa Shrine in Darien, and St. Hyacinth Basilica in Chicago. In September we will attend a four part series on the Gospel of John at Holy Family Parish and we will end the Year of Faith with a weekly series on Prayer in late September and October.

Through the generosity of Executive Producer Zaid Jazrawi , his movie “The Triumph”, was shown to a capacity crowd in our auditorium. This documentary depicts 20 year old Ben’s visit to Medjugorje and the effect it has on his life. While we respect the Church’s ongoing investigations into the formal approval of these apparitions, we also recognize that the Vatican has said that Catholics are free to travel to Medjugorje. Watching this wonderful film, we were all deeply touched.

In celebration of her Feast Day, a special Jeanne Jugan Museum is set up (in the Gift Shop space) for the entire month of August. Please stop by for a visit. Friday, August 30th is St. Jeanne Jugan’s Feast Day. Our good friend Fr. William DeSalvo of St. Isaac Jogues Parish in Hinsdale will offer Mass here, accompanied by the wonderful musicians from St. James Parish led by Scott Arkenberg.

The lazy days of summer give us an opportunity to reflect on our many blessings. We are so thankful for you, our friends, who offer us support through your prayers and financial assistance. We hope you will be able to join us for our Swing and a Prayer Golf Outing on Monday, September 30th. Thanks to our supporters, we are very happy to be able to hold the outing at the Ivanhoe Country Club. The registration price has increased reflecting this premier facility and our urgent need for funds to complete the installation of three new heating boilers ($400,000) and to upgrade to a new sprinkler system in the Chapel ($150,000).

Mother Marguerite and Resident Delores Driscoll

Visit us at www.LittleSistersofthePoorPalatine.org

Join special guests, Chicago Bear Robbie Gould and Relevant Radio’s Fr. Rocky, for our Eighth Annual Swing and a Prayer Golf Outing, Monday, September 30th at the Ivanhoe Country Club.

Don’t miss an opportunity to golf at the exclusive, nationally recognized Ivanhoe Country Club in Mundelein, IL. Sitting atop a spectacular 380-acre property with 27 holes, it is recognized as one of the Top 25 Championship Golf Courses in Illinois.

Your support will help us to provide a loving home and care for our elderly Residents. For registration, sponsorship or advertisement information, call Diana Olson at 847-358-5700 or go to www.LittleSistersofthePoorPalatine.org.

SWInG anD a PraYer GOLf OuTInG

Zaid Jazrawi and the Little Sisters surround the Missionary Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe following the showing of “The Triumph” (www.thetriumph.org).

Eager to help in any way they can, their good works are limitless. They have extended their love for the outdoors by sharing their garden expertise with us. As twilight falls Stan and Anna are often seen aiming the hoses at their favorite flowers and bushes. One can easily identify their apartment by the special flower garden they nurture beneath their windows. Birds start singing with excitement when they see Stan, who is very attentive in filling their bird feeders. To take advantage of the perfect summer weather, Stan and Anna plan to host a cookout on the patio for many of our Residents. Regularly joining in activities and trips, they are always there to lend a helping hand to others who need assistance.

The primary role of husband and wife is to help each other get to heaven. The Little Sisters lovingly accompany the elderly on their final journey to heaven. How blessed we are that these roads to heaven have intersected at our own Home.

What God Has Joined Together (cont. from page 1)