LOOK TO THE MOUNT - Mt. St. Joseph

LOOK TO THE MOUNT
News from Mount St. Joseph – Winter 2013
Local College Student
Learns a Great Deal from Mount St. Joseph Residents
Megan Doyle, a former Mount St. Joseph volunteer, is currently a sophomore at University of Wisconsin – Madison
where she is studying for a career in social work. Megan graciously agreed to share with us some thoughts on her
experience working with the residents.
Working at Mount St. Joseph was an experience I will never forget. Other than babysitting and volunteer
work in high school, it was my first time joining the workforce so I was excited but nervous as well. I knew
the population I would be working with and had previous experiences in a high school club called “Best
Buddies.” Best Buddies is a program where one student is paired with another student with developmental
or physical disabilities. I believe it was my compassion towards individuals deemed “different” by society
that motivated me to want to work closely with them. I also knew that the work experience would help
prepare me for my future career in social work and aid me in narrowing the choices of whom I would like to
work with in the future.
I was surprised by how easily I came to love the women I was helping and how much they taught me. I’ve
learned how disabilities can affect motor or vocal skills but the character of that person still shines through in
different ways. The ladies are smart, creative, compassionate and all around amazing individuals.
Over the summer, my friends and family probably grew tired of my endless stories about the fun times I had
at work. I also had success stories which might seem unimportant to some but I knew how great it was to
see a resident feed herself or put her dishes in the sink. I loved getting to spend time with each lady; just
talking to them, reading to them, or even watching TV was always a new experience for both of us. I felt
like they were teaching me more than I was helping them. They taught me the true meaning of compassion
Continued on page 3
In This Issue
From the Administrator p. 2 Sr. Barbara and Sr. Darlene p. 11
Holiday Happenings p. 4 Live Performances p. 12
St. Frances de Sales Gift of Love p. 6 Handbell Choir p. 13
DT Nativity Play p. 7 DT’s Smart Board p. 13
MSJA Events p. 8 What’s New! p. 14
MSJ Kitchen Staff p. 10

Look To The Mount Winter 2013
From the Administrator . . .
It’s official: I can stay as administrator. In January, I received notice
that I had passed the administrator’s license exam! A grace we can
thank God for!
This year we will begin work on renovating Guanella and Marcellina
Halls. God willing, the work should start in the middle of February
and take us to the end of October. If all goes well, the ladies should be
able to move into their new home for Christmas! Won’t that be a
great Christmas gift!? The ladies have already started to move to their
temporary new homes—five will have to go to other residences, as St.
Aloysius (where the bulk will go) only has room for 22 and there are
currently 27 ladies to displace. Should be a fun next few weeks!
The stained-glass windows in the Chapel have been removed and replaced by thermal clear windows. The
stained-glass is being cleaned, repaired where it was cracked, and the orange color replaced by a lighter,
more neutral color. We are hoping to have that done for July.
Why July? Because this year, the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence (that’s the Sisters who run the
Mount) celebrate 100 years in the USA! Each community has a month for which they will plan some kind
of celebration and the Mount’s month is July. Anyone having any ideas is welcome to throw them our way
and we will see what kind of fun we can have celebrating a century of doing good works, loving God and
neighbor and generally trying to follow the path to sanctity traced out for us by our Founder, Saint Luigi
Guanella!
God bless you and your families and friends.
~ Sr. Esther Leroux Administrator
We Remember . . .
Mary Christine Mangos
December 11, 1958 – December 17, 2012
Doris Elizabeth Pfrenger
April 20, 1939 – January 9, 2013
Katie Theobold
May 22, 1988 – February 1, 2013
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Megan, continued from front page
and what it is like to be innocent and free from preconceived societal notions of beauty or perfection. They
taught me to laugh at myself, to accept my own flaws and, more importantly, to accept differences in others
as something beautiful, not detrimental. Their spirit and love of life was uplifting and motivational. At the
end of the day I would leave work tired but happy with memories in my head that made me smile the next
day.
I think the unconditional love the ladies give was one of the best parts of working. Without a doubt, they are
the most honest people I have ever met; they are not afraid to hurt your feelings, and they do not hide the
truth. They know what they want and when they want it, but they also love truly and honestly. The hugs
were one of my favorite parts of going to work.
Overall, I’ve learned to see the “ability” in disabilities. Not only are these ladies strong and amazing, they
are survivors living in bodies or minds that maybe aren’t “perfect” for society’s high standards but that they
accept and live in daily. Where most of us would be depressed by not being able to walk or talk, I feel like
these ladies make the most of what they have and are not afraid to show-off their special talents. From
coloring to bowling, each lady has a special gift from God that, only once you get to know them, comes to
the surface. Now I do not judge people who are different solely on how they look because I know that deep
down they too have something to offer the world.
“I know that there is no other way for me
to be truly fulfilled in my life if I am not
working to make a change in the lives of
others, as well as the world around me.”
If you are interested in making a difference
in your life and in the lives of others by being a
Mount St. Joseph Volunteer,
please call
847-438-5050
~ Megan Doyle, MSJ Volunteer
There are many ways you can share your time and talents with our residents!
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Holiday Happenings
Thanksgiving Mass
In honor of Thanksgiving, residents celebrated a special Mass
in which they reflected and shared what they are most grateful
for in their lives. These reflections were written on autumn
leaves which the residents then brought to the altar to hang on
a tree branch during Mass.
A Special Time
The holidays are always a very special time at Mount St.
Joseph—and this year was no exception. The following
pages offer a glimpse of some of this year’s activities and
festivities.
Faith, Hope and Charity Luncheon
A group of residents attended a Christmas luncheon at
Faith, Hope and Charity Church in Winnetka. The
luncheon, held on the first Sunday in December and
hosted by the church’s Women’s Club, has been a
Mount St. Joseph holiday tradition for many years.
The ladies were treated to a lovely luncheon, followed
by a visit from Santa. They also enjoyed live music
and dancing the polka!
Day Training’s
Thanksgiving Food Drive and
Christmas “Giving Tree”
The Day Training staff and clients
celebrated the holiday season by giving to
those in need. For Thanksgiving, the
clients and staff collected food for the local
food pantry. And for Christmas, the DT
Center collected hats, scarves and mittens
for Lake County PADS—an organization
that serves the homeless.
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Look To The Mount Winter 2013
Staff and Volunteer Christmas Party
On December 12 th , the Sisters hosted a Christmas luncheon/dinner for employees and volunteers. In addition
to a delicious meal, everyone enjoyed gifts from the Sisters and the Mount St. Joseph Association.
Countryside Christmas Banquet
On November 30 th , some residents who attend Countryside
workshop and their families attended the Countryside Center’s
annual Holiday Dinner Dance and Potluck. This year’s
festivities took place at Countryside’s newly renovated areas.
In addition to a potluck meal and dancing, residents
participated in a gift exchange.
Parties in the Residences
In the weeks before Christmas, each residence held
its own party for their ladies. These festivities,
complete with fun, food, games and gifts, provided
the opportunity for the residents to celebrate the
holiday season within their own MSJ “family.”
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St. Francis de Sales Parishioners
Share the Love of Christ with MSJ Residents
For more than twenty years, St. Francis de Sales Parish’s Gift of Love program has been providing
Christmas gifts for many Mount St. Joseph residents.
The Gift of Love program is the parish’s adopt a family program in which parishioners can sign up to
provide Christmas gifts for a family or an individual in residential care who is in need.
This year, as in the past, generous parishioners provided new, wrapped gifts that the residents were in
need of and or had expressed an interest in receiving. Approximately 90 ladies received a personal
Christmas greeting along with a festive gift bag packed with gifts. Slippers, toiletries, puzzles, sweat
suits, pajamas, robes, stuffed toys and the like were among some of the different gifts the ladies
received.
We are so very grateful for the many years the people of St. Francis De Sales have remembered the
needs of our residents. The love and generosity of the parishioners has been exceeded only by the
great joy their gifts bring the ladies. We thank them for their kindness and wish them God’s blessing.
Let Jesus ignite your heart with the flame of His love.
~ Saint Louis Guanella
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Day Training Presents the Story of the Nativity
This advent season, the clients in the Day Training Program presented a Nativity Play. The Sisters, staff,
volunteers, visitors and DT clients gathered in the gym to hear the nativity narration and sing carols as the
story of Jesus’s birth was presented by costumed actors on the stage.
The actors (all DT clients) included: Cecelia St. Pierre as narrator, Donna Boltz as innkeeper, Mary Lou
Bachman as angel, Hilde Runtz held the Star of Bethlehem, Teresa Breitenbeck as the Blessed Mother,
Robert Motyka as Joseph, and Margarita Cardenas, Kathleen O’Brien and Joy Johanson as the Three
Kings.
The DT Staff worked together to make the production a great success. Many thanks to Janine Bolchazy
and Stephanie Sheckler for their direction, Wendy Wagner for providing the music and leading the
singing, Sr. Marcella for designing the costumes, and Maria Trujillo for assisting with the costumes and
staging. Also, many thanks to Sharon Lewandowski for assisting the clients making the invitations and
the Kings’ crowns, Linda Leon for helping with the props, and volunteer Cathy Kummerow for helping
clients with their parts.
Hopefully, this beautiful and touching performance will be the beginning of a lovely Mount St. Joseph
tradition.
For more pictures of this special event, go to the Mount St. Joseph website at
www.mtstjosephhome.com and click on the “click here” for a special music video and you will be treated
to a beautiful slideshow of Sr. Anna Maria’s photos!
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Look To The Mount Winter 2013
The Amazing Animal Show
Mount St. Joseph Association
Events and Activities
In November, the Amazing Animal Show performed their
“Amazing Animal Adventure” in the Mount St. Joseph
gym. A group of residents, staff, family members and
friends were treated to an hour long presentation of a
dozen domestic and exotic animals including a raccoon,
chicken, rabbit, coatimundi, kinkajou and even an African
Serval Cat, just to name a few!
Guests had a chance to meet and pet the animals while
experienced handlers told fascinating facts and interesting
stories about each animal.
Theatre Outings
During November and December, some ladies from
Guanella, Marcellina and St. Clare residences attended a
performance of Cinderella at the Marriott Theatre in
Lincolnshire. As part of the theatre experience, the ladies also
enjoyed lunch at the Fairfield Inn.
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page
The Chicago Botanic Garden
In December, a group of residents went to the Chicago
Botanic Garden in Glencoe. There, the ladies toured the
different greenhouses, viewed a gingerbread village
display and had lunch. A special treat was visiting The
Wonderland Express. The ladies enjoyed watching this
exhibit of miniature trains wind through a village of tiny
Chicago landmarks created from natural materials. They
also had an opportunity to make a Christmas craft and a
bird feeder.
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Hail to the Chefs!
The Mount St. Joseph Kitchen Staff
The Mount St. Joseph Kitchen Staff
Carolina Sandoval, Margarita Castellanos, Patricia Gonzalez, Joel Tercero (not pictured – Hipolita Perez)
If you have ever been in or near the Mount St. Joseph kitchen (located just west of the Administration
building) before mealtime, you certainly have noticed the mouthwatering scents lingering in the area. These
appetizing aromas remind us that the kitchen staff is—as always—busy at work.
The kitchen staff consists of Margarita Castellanos, Patricia Gonzalez, Joel Tercero, Hipolita Perez, and
Carolina Sandoval. Together this group has nearly 18 years of experience working in the Mount’s kitchen.
It is this experience, along with hard work and dedication, which allows these workers to meet the huge
undertaking of preparing hundreds of meals daily.
Between the hours of 6:00 am and 5:30 pm, the staff is busy preparing meals for the residents and Sisters.
While serving so many is a formidable task in itself, there are many other considerations in preparing
delicious and healthy food for the residents. In addition to the cooking and baking, the kitchen staff also
tends to receiving, organizing and cleaning the foods that are delivered daily. And, the MSJ kitchen staff is
always mindful of the special dietary needs of the residents including calorie requirements and restrictions,
lactose, gluten, and sugar-free diets, foods that need to be pureed, and food allergies.
We are grateful for this special group of people. We commend their commitment to providing good,
nutritious meals at the Mount.
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Welcome, Sister Barbara and Sister Darlene
This November, Sister Darlene Johnson returned to
Mount St. Joseph. Sr. Darlene left the Mount in 2008
and spent a year and a half in Italy for her international
experience. She then returned to the states and, along
with various other duties, served as Housemother at St.
Mary of Providence in Chicago.
Here at the Mount, Sr. Darlene is Housemother for
Angel Guardian and is responsible for the care of
residential accounts. Sr. Darlene shares that she,
“loves Mount St. Joseph” and is “so happy to be here!”
Help Us Update
We are currently updating our email list for
newsletter recipients. If you would like to be added
to the list or you have a new email address please let
us know. You may email us at
msj_newsletter@icloud.com or let Barb know at
847-438-5050.
In January, Sister Barbara Moerman joined the
Sisters at Mount St. Joseph. Originally from
Springfield, Pennsylvania, Sr. Barbara spent two and
a half years in the Philippines as Formator for the
Daughters of St. Mary of Providence and the last
three years as Formator and Housemother at St.
Mary’s of Providence in Chicago.
Here at the Mount, Sr. Barbara serves as
Housemother for Guanella and Marcellina
Residences. She shares that working with the
residents brings a great deal of joy to her life and
believes the ladies “were put on this earth to teach us
how to love.”
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Residents Enjoy Special Live Performances
“As Good As It Gets”
In November, a group of ladies attended a dress
rehearsal of Wauconda High School’s
production of As Good As It Gets. The ladies
thoroughly enjoyed this musical comedy. After
the performance, they were able to visit and
pose with the entire cast. Can you spot our
ladies among the actors? Hint: Look right, left and
center!
Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited Dansations
On January 26 th , the residents were treated with a performance from Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited
Dansations. This group of 25 young dancing students performed a variety of ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary
and hip hop numbers.
The presentation was a real treat for the ladies, who are big dancing fans as well as great dancers
themselves! Many thanks to Denise Maxwell and all those from Dorothy’s Dancing Unlimited Dansations
for sharing their time and talents with the residents.
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The Mount St. Joseph Handbell Choir
The Mount St. Joseph Handbell Choir has been a long-standing tradition. Choir director Beth McQuaid has
been working with the ladies for the past 25 Years. Beth, a music teacher and music therapist, works with the
13 member choir once a week. In addition to their practice sessions, the choir performs once a month at
Sunday Mass and regularly brings their beautiful music to Angel Guardian, Queen of Peace and local nursing
homes.
Whether they are performing at Mass or in front of an off-campus audience, Beth shares that the ladies “use
their gift of music for God’s glory.” According to Beth, “We want to be a blessing to all those who hear us.”
Day Training’s New “Satelite” Smart Board
In 2012, the Day Training Program was the recipient of a grant
for a Satelite Smart Board from the Service Club of Chicago. The
Satelite Smart Board is an interactive learning tool that
encourages movement, eye contact, visual tracking, attention span
and decision making skills through a variety of fun software
programs.
The software used is specially designed for special needs, so it’s
simple and easy. The clients are having a very positive reaction to
this Smart Board which provides them with immediate feedback,
both visual and auditory, which is so important.
Currently, the Satelite Smart Board is located and used in one of the rooms in Day Training, but the device
is portable so it can be moved if needed and used as a computer for presentations or for training of staff.
We are continually learning more and more about the Smart Board and all its uses. We are so thankful to
the Service Club of Chicago for their generous grant.
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What’s New and Exciting at the Mount!
Chapel Windows
The past few months have been an exciting time at the Mount. This fall, the major undertaking of removing
and replacing the Chapel windows began. As of now, the old, leaky, single pane windows are gone and have
been replaced with new insulated windows. The new windows not only look great, but their added insulation
has made a difference you can feel! The stain glass windows continue to be repaired and the orange glass
replaced with a more neutral tone. These refurbished stain glass windows are due to be completed this summer
and promise to be an exciting and striking transformation to the Chapel.
Renovation of Guanella and Marcellina Residences
This February, the renovation of Guanella and Marcellina Residences began. The renovations include
expanding the residences to allow for: the extra room needed for double bedrooms (each complete with an en
suite bathroom), two kitchenettes for the ladies to do some basic cooking, a private room for the Housemother,
a med room, a conference room, two night nurses’ stations, a main nursing station and a center front entrance
area. The renovations are scheduled to be completed sometime in late October
These major capital improvements will enhance the lives of our residents significantly, but they are not without
costs. We encourage our friends, families and patrons to consider being part of these exciting but challenging
changes. Your donations will help support these necessary developments.
Give Central
As in the past, you can easily send a donation with the “donation form” at the end of this newsletter or you can
easily donate online. Recently, Mount St. Joseph made it easier to donate online with GIVE CENTRAL—
one of the nation’s new financial settlement companies designed to assist organization like Mount St. Joseph.
Just go to our website at www.mtstjosephhome.com and go to the Donations Page. There you can make a
donation using your credit card or even set up an ongoing periodic donation. You will receive confirmation of
your transaction in minutes and we’ll receive your donation shortly after.
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We appreciate your kind support . . .
The majority of Mount St. Joseph residents and day training clients receive
funding through state and federal programs. The funds are stretched to
cover expenses such as room and board, medication, dental and medical
services, and adequate staffing. Therefore, we rely heavily upon our
benefactors to help provide extra-curricular activities for the residents, to
replace outdated equipment and furniture, and to renovate buildings.
Saint Louis Guanella always said that God will not be outdone in
generosity, and we are convinced that those who assist us in our mission
are blessed in countless ways. The individuals we serve have a beautifully
simple yet profound faith. One can rest assured that God hears and
answers their prayers!
Will you please help us now with whatever financial support you can?
Mount St. Joseph is a registered sec. 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.
As such, your donations are deductible. A copy of our IRS determination
letter confirming Mount St. Joseph’s standing as a registered IRC sec.
501(c)(3) Charity is available upon request.
You can make a donation by mailing it to us using the form below, or you
can visit us on the internet at mtstjosephhome.com to make a donation
online with Give Central.
DONATION FORM
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: ____________________________________________________
Donation Amount: ____________________
Thank you for your donation. Please mail your donation to:
Mount St. Joseph
24955 North U.S. Highway 12
Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047
Wish List
for the DT Center
_________
Large Screen TV
And DVD Player
$1,000
Activity Supplies
$200
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Mount St. Joseph
24955 North U.S. Highway 12
Lake Zurich, Illinois 60047
About The Mount
Mount St. Joseph
Mount St. Joseph is a health care facility called home by approximately 125 women with varying
degrees of mental and physical disabilities. The facility was established by the Daughters of Saint Mary
of Providence in 1935. The Sisters live on campus and collaborate with staff to provide exemplary care
to each individual. In the spirit of our Founder, Saint Louis Guanella, we strive to promote the rights
and dignity of the residents and assist them in growing to their fullest potential.
WINTER 2013
NEWSLETTER