The Year of Paul in More Ways than One
Posted on September 21, 2008
Filed Under Franciscanized World |
On June 28, 2008 Pope Benedict XVI declared a year of celebration in honor of the 2000th anniversary of St. Paul’s birth. The Apostle “who proclaimed the truth of Christ to the whole world committed himself with zeal to the unity and concord of all Christians,” stated the Holy Father as he designated the jubilee year which will extend to June 29, 2009.
St. Paul Elder Services, Kaukauna, WI, a part of Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity HealthCare Ministry Inc., promises to honor this Apostle throughout the year while celebrating its own 65th anniversary year of its beginnings.
The history of St. Paul Elder Services dates back to 1890 when Oscar Thilmany, founder of Thilmany Pulp and Paper Company in Kaukauna, built a mansion on Wisconsin Avenue on the north side of the Fox River. This Thilmany-Wertheimer building served as the private residence of the first two presidents of the paper company. The mansion remained in the Wertheimer family until 1939 when Robert Wertheimer gave the property to Bishop Paul Peter Rhode of the Green Bay Diocese. The Bishop sought a religious order to take the home and use it for charitable purposes. The Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, responded to the request.
The saga of  St. Paul Elder Services is a vibrant one. Sunday, September 21, 2008 was a day to celebrate this reality and to praise God for the proud history that includes today housing at St. Paul Villa and St. Paul Manor, long term care at St. Paul Home, a Life Enrichment Center, Center of Rehabilitation and message, occupational, physical and speech therapy.
St. Paul and St. Francis were called to be profoundly changed. St. Francis’ stigmata experience images the scriptural text Gal. 6:17 very well. In this Pauline book of the Galatians written in 48-49 A.D., Paul himself reviews his first missionary journey which included the First Jerusalem Council.
How about you? How is the Word of God active in your life in 2008? How is the message of Jesus alive in you and in others who are serving the poor and needy in your midst? Choose God.
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Since I was blessed to be present for the St. Paul Elder Services social on Sunday, I continue to playback images in my mind of some of the people I met e.g. Jane who turned 88 yrs old on August 8, 2008 and Frances, originally from Wisconsin Dells who proudly wore her ‘Go Pack’ sentiments. I felt like they ministered to me. And yes, the snacks were great!
Being Director of Community Outreach at St. Paul Elder Services is so very fulfilling. I am in constant contact with many people who have and are sharing their life experiences. I receive much more than I give working with the residents/tenants and people of the Fox Valley. I am truly blest!
Being a member of the Board of Directors of St. Paul Elder Services, I am a loss for words to describe the care, dedication and committment to the elderly present in the staff, the administration and in our religious congregation. May all who enter SPES find the healing presence of Jesus, the vibrant dedication of St. Paul and the Franciscan charism of hospitality operative.