Senior Living

Birthright volunteer is making a difference

josephkenny — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 20:22:33 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

At age 80, Joan Silverberg is just getting started as a volunteer at Birthright in Wentzville.

"I only started about six months ago. I'm still learning a lot," said the member of Sacred Heart Parish in Troy.

Some of the women come for help because they are determined to have their baby but need assistance, Silverberg said. Others are still open to various possibilities but are willing to listen to the reasons why choosing an alternative to abortion is best.

DuBourg House resident fulfills dream of receiving sacraments

josephkenny — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 17:03:39 +0000

By Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Louisette Moorie, wearing a new white dress, stood reverently before the altar holding her baptismal candle.

"Walk always as a child of Christ," Deacon David Willis said in prayers before her and about 25 people gathered at a noon Mass at the DuBourg House chapel in south St. Louis.

Moorie couldn't conceal the broad smile on her face. That smile never went away as she later was confirmed and received her First Communion.

WWII veteran receives French Legion of Honor Medal

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:02:46 +0000

Barbara Watkins | bwatkins@archstl.org

Oliver W. Siebert is a husband, father, grandfather and member of Christ Prince of Peace Parish in Manchester. At age 88 he is retired after a long career as a engineer, business owner and a faculty member at Washington University.

He is also a veteran of World War II, a period in his life that he has discussed very little over the years -- a conscious decision Siebert said he made because "I saw too much" in the war. In recent months, however, Siebert's war years have been in the spotlight.

Reminiscence therapy at adult day program a big hit

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:02:19 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Tim Rhoades knows how to work an audience.

At the Cardinal Ritter Adult Day Program recently, he worked what normally is a tough group to engage, but had them not only paying attention but enthused in a dialogue.

Rhoades, a volunteer who is a student at Washington University's school of social work, gave a presentation that is part of what is called reminiscence therapy.

Pastoral care: 'Hey, how are you?'

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:01:23 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

As she walked the hallways of Mary Queen and Mother Center in Shrewsbury on a recent afternoon, Sister Suzanne Giblin had a smile and greeting for each person she met -- residents of the skilled nursing center, their families and staff.

"Hey, how are you?" she exclaimed as she approached a resident.

Sister Suzanne, a Sister of St. Joseph of Carondelet, is a former teacher and administrator. While that work had it rewards, it doesn't match her current efforts. "I love what I do. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do," she said.

Nazareth 'Happy Hour' extends throughout ministry

Thu, 27 Sep 2012 23:00:28 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Marcella Koebbe -- AKA the "Pretzel Lady" -- joined with her visiting family members at "Happy Hour" at Nazareth Living Center Sept. 17, listening to a piano player and enjoying conversation.

Koebe, whose father and husband operated the iconic, still family-owned Gus' Pretzels in south St. Louis, likes several things about living at Nazareth, an assisted living, skilled nursing and short-term rehab facility in Oakville. There's the music and the ice cream parlor that her visitors like so much too, but the main thing is the people and the fact that they are so easy to talk with, she said.

St. Ambrose retiree spreads love to children in reading group

lisajohnston — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 18:38:40 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Thumbnail (for Multimedia Slideshows)

Learn to use your wisdom to make a difference

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:48:55 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.com

Wisdom is hard-earned, coming naturally as people age, but it also can expand with a little effort.

Dominican Sister Carla Mae Streeter, a professor emerita of systemic theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology, recently presented "Spirituality in the Second Half of Life," at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows and at Incarnate Word Parish in Chesterfield.

"People in this age group have lived a lot of life -- they've experienced both grief and joy in many different forms," Sister Carla Mae said.

Anna House construction to unify campus

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:48:28 +0000

Construction is progressing in Bridgeton on a new nursing home being built on The Sarah Community grounds.

Founded in 1997 through the collaboration of five Catholic religious congregations -- the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Franciscan Sisters of Mary, Religious of the Sacred Heart, School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters of Loretto -- The Sarah Community is a continuing care retirement community on the SSM DePaul Health Center campus that provides skilled nursing care at Anna House, assisted living at Veronica House and independent living at Naomi House.

Important phone numbers for senior services

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:48:01 +0000

Better Business Bureau -- Helps resolve consumer complaints and offers information on complaints about businesses. Call (314) 645-3300.

Contact 2/Call for Action -- Volunteer organization sponsored by KTVI-TV (Channel 2) providing confidential referral and ombudsman services for consumers. Call (800) 782-2222.

Knights known for charitable work, evangelization

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:46:47 +0000

The Missouri Knights of Columbus invite Catholic men to become members of the world's largest lay Catholic fraternal service organization.

Founded in 1882 in New Haven, Conn., by Father Michael J. McGivney, the Knights of Columbus started as a way for Catholic men to join in solidarity in defending their country, families and faith. Part of Father McGivney's vision also called for a special life insurance program to provide for widows and orphans of deceased members.

Ignatian Volunteer Corps joins service, spirituality

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:46:21 +0000

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life," wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

Service to others is an essential characteristic of Catholic life, and those who follow the Ignatian way dedicate their lives to being "men and women for others." In their efforts, many find the blessings returned in surprising ways.

Do your homework on charities, BBB says

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:45:59 +0000

For many donors, nothing tugs at the heartstrings -- and loosens the purse strings -- more than a picture of a child.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends that donors understand where their money is going before contributing to a children's charity. In too many cases, the lion's share of a charitable donation goes not to help the kids, but to pay the high cost of telephone and direct-mail fundraising.

Food service managers feed, get feedback

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:45:29 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Theresa Austin, food service manager, laughs when asked about some of the feedback she receives on the meals at Mother of Perpetual Help assisted living residence in Shrewsbury.

"They only remember your last meal," she said with a chuckle.

If one meal is not so popular -- she's toast, to use a food analogy.

"A lot of them will score it. I'll walk through the dining room and they give me thumbs up or thumbs down depending on what they like. They're pretty vocal about what they like or don't like," Austin said.

St. Louisan told remarkable story of Dr. Dooley

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:43:31 +0000

Joseph Kenny | jkenny@archstl.org

Lucille Selsor held up copies of Dr. Tom Dooley's books -- yellowed and frail from being stored for so many years.

Across the globe people were inspired by these books, Dooley's riveting talks and news and feature articles about the Catholic doctor from St. Louis who was known as "Dr. America" or "the Splendid American" in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, where he tended to refugees and the poor and founded hospitals and clinics.