Volume 1, Issue 75 NEWSLETTER October, November, December 2014

ROSARY HILL HOME 9000 WEST 81ST STREET – JUSTICE, ILLINOIS 60458 708.458.3040

Dear Friends of Rosary Hill, One of the side-effects of living in a country as generously blessed as ours, is that we tend to be spoiled. We seldom show our gratitude for what we have and enjoy in our daily life. As civilized people, we say “thank you” with regularity, but it is one thing to say “thank you” and quite another to feel a sense of deep gratitude. We may say “thank you,” but our heart very often might not be in it. The approaching Thanksgiving Day reminds us of the need we have to live daily in a spirit of gratitude. The psalmist says, “I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be on my lips and my heart.” (Ps. 34:2). We have literally thousands of reasons to be appreciative. Our litany of thanksgiving would normally include: good health, a comfortable home, a caring family, reliable friends and a greatly blessed country. Rosary Hill has its own long litany of reasons to live in the spirit of unceasing gratitude. All residents, employees and Sisters keep recalling all the blessings this humble place of prayer and care is showered with, and reflecting on where those blessings originated. Who worked so hard and sacrificed that we would have these many benefits? Who has been especially good to us? Who was an instrument of God’s loving care for this place? Of course, we know the answer to these questions. It was you, our dear friends. Every time we undertake some project from which our residents may benefit, each time we seek good advice and guidance, every time we need financial support, you are there for us. We have become so used to it, that in everything you do for Rosary Hill, we sense God’s hand generously open and lovingly protecting. As I write these words I am profoundly grateful and equally happy to let you know that the major renovation of our care facility has been completed and only minor decorative touches need to be added to beautify the interior. Your suggestions and ideas for this final stage of renovation are welcome. Everything we look at, the inside and outside of our care facility have imprints of your heartfelt involvement in our life and ministry, and this is for us a wonderful opportunity and invitation to practice the daily the virtue of gratitude. As we realize how tremendously we are blessed we strive to transform the annual holiday called Thanksgiving Day into our very personal Holy Day. Such spiritual enhancement of this beautiful traditional American celebration helps us to enter the approaching season of Advent and Christmas with hearts resounding with a deepest Thank You and best wishes to you. We pray and hope that in this Christmas Season you will experience the beauty of God’s rewarding love and all that it entails. May you sense and enjoy that love every day of the upcoming New Year 2015.

Prayerfully yours, Sister M. Natalie, OP ******************************************************************************************

RESIDENT’S NEWS Hawaii for an Afternoon…It was a beautiful day in August for an imaginary trip to Hawaii. Many residents of Rosary Hill Home spent the afternoon in the third floor dining room listening to Hawaiian music. Each resident received a Hawaiian lei and bracelets to wear for the afternoon. Sophie was dressed in traditional Hawaiian attire with flowers in her hair. Sister Dolores proved to be very inept at using the hula hoop. Some of the residents danced around the dining room floor, and some danced from their chairs. The afternoon culminated with the residents being served some of Sophie’s homemade Hawaiian Salad. A good time was had by all. Submitted by: Cathie King, (Volunteer) Sophie’s Hawaiian Salad Recipe 2 c. mini colored marshmallows 2 cans (12oz) fruit cocktail (drained) 2 c. cool whip (thawed) ½ c. chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) Mix all ingredients and serve.

*********************

Rosary Hill Home Annual Picnic 2014…Sunday, September 14th was a beautiful sunny day for the 19thAnnual Rosary Hill Picnic. There were more than 300 residents, family members and friends gathered to enjoy a special afternoon together, beginning with an outdoor Mass celebrated by Bishop Perry, Father Ray Jasinski, and Father Mulcahy. After Mass, Sister Natalie welcomed all and a delicious lunch buffet was served. Burgers, hot dogs, various salads, chicken, dumplings, stuffed cabbage rolls and sausage with sauerkraut were on the menu. There was also a generous assortment of desserts, along with coffee, water and soda. Special treats of root beer floats, snow-cones and popcorn were also available to enjoy. Lunch was followed by games and races for children and adults. The games were great fun for the participants and were entertaining to everyone cheering their favorites on. A few Sisters tried their hand at the water balloon toss. It looked as if they had a good time and got a bit wet, too. The children also got to enjoy the jumping tent, a petting zoo, pony rides and a visit with a clown who created balloon art for them. Lively music added to the pleasant atmosphere. There were raffles and split-the-pot drawings. The33 lucky winners of the raffle appeared to be very pleased with their prizes. The generously donated prizes included a bike, TV, electronics, restaurant gift certificates, gift baskets of wine and spirits, small appliances and beautiful crafts. What an exciting way to end the day! A special thank you to the Sisters, staff and volunteers for their hard work and valuable time. The food, refreshments, prizes and services that were donated were also greatly appreciated by all in attendance. More importantly, the residents were able to enjoy a fun-filled and memorable day with their loves ones and the Rosary Hill family. I am sure that all are already looking forward to next year’s picnicJ Submitted by: Liz Paplauskas (daughter of resident, Ann Laczkowski)

From the desk of our Chaplain “The Most Noble of God’s Creatures” At one time God was all alone, but He was not lonely. Since God is a family that is perfect, He was never lonely. Because of His exceptional generosity, He decided to share his joy by creating all the men and women and Angels. Then God created the most beautiful of all His creatures, the Blessed Virgin Mary. She gave more joy to God than anyone that He had made. She was most humble, most obedient, most generous and long suffering. She was most pleasing to God, not simply because she was preserved from original sin and all sin, but mainly because she loved God’s Son with a deep love and suffered very much with Him. Her beautiful Heart gave God the most joy of all his creatures. Father Raymond Jasinski

************************************************************************* Words of Wisdom

My faith does not rest in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (Corinthians 2:5) “God has given me more than I could have asked for and I’ve learned how precious each moment is. Every moment is a gift.” (by: Dorothy Majersky, Resident)

************************** Resident’s Story Time

“Dreams Do Come True” Whenever my middle brother Joe was missing, all we had to do was go up to the airport, about a mile from home. He would be sitting inside a plane at the controls making motor noises. He always wanted to fly airplanes or just plain fly. One day our oldest brother Allen, told him he had figured out how he was going to be able to fly. Allen took pieces of plywood from our backyard and some rope and tied them around Joe’s arms. They get on top of the well house and Allen said. “Here’s how we’re gonna do it Joe, you’re gonna take a running leap, flap those wings attached to your arms and fly off the roof!” It was a 1,2,3 jump and even a quicker splat. Allen said to Joe, “I think I Know where I went wrong.” Joe replied, “No way, forget it!” It came as no surprise that Joe ended up flying commercial planes for Eastern Airlines and other commercial airlines as well. Written by: Maggie Martin, (Resident) ******************************************************************* Rosary Hill Home will host a free Seminar on the Aging Process and End of Life Issues. It will be given by certified instructor, Dorothy O’Neil. There will be discussion at the conclusion where she will be happy to address any questions you may have. It will be held on November 9th @ 10:45am, immediately following Family Mass. Remember there is no cost. Hope you will attend! *********************************************************************** Dates to Remember… Free Seminar, The Aging Process & End of Life Issues on November 9th @ 10:45am, immediately following Family Mass. Please join us for Family Mass the second Sunday of every month @ 9:30 a.m. (refreshments follow). Remember, you can join us any Sunday for Mass.

WELCOME We offer a warm welcome

to our new residents:

Mary Flannery 10-15-2014 Alice Collachia 10-23-2014 Dolores Brady 10-23-2014 Lottie Viktora 10-26-2014

IN OUR PRAYERS

Let us remember also all that are sick and infirm among us that they may experience Christ’s healing power and be restored to health both spiritually and physically.

OUR SYMPATHY

“If we have died in Christ, we believe we shall also live in Him.”

Romans 6:8 +Eleanore Walsh 09-21-2014 +Marie Nalepka 10-12-2014

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

We extend our warmest congratulations and Best Wishes with love and prayers to the following residents of Rosary Hill on the occasion of their respective birthdays. October: Genevieve Wisniowski 89 Mary Margaret Martin 73 Ellen Mary Ryan 80 November: Sophie Williamson 96 Teresa Larkers 85 Mary Lehr 92 Veronica Wastak 94 December: Sophie Parciak 98 Marie Borowik 100 Marilyn Konwinski 75

Mary Wunder 82 Bochenczak, Helen 97 Edna Mae Witry 81

9000 W. 81ST ST. JUSTICE, IL 60458 708.458.3040