a publication of saint mary’s home of erie · christmas at saint mary’s around our home...

September 2010

A sponsored ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania

Inside this issue...

Christmas at Saint Mary’s

Around Our Home

Medaille D’OR Awards

Saint Mary’s News

Intergenerational Activities

Christmas Star Appeal

A Publication of Saint Mary’s Home of Erie

2607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • (814) 459-0621

President’s Message

Board of TrusteesChairperson

William Flaherty, Jr.

Vice ChairpersonJane Kelsey

TreasurerThomas Elliott

SecretaryChris Coughlin

John BarberRev. Thomas Brooks

Barbara DrewRussell Forquer

Mary Alice GlowackiDanny Jones

Joyce Lowrey, SSJR. “Art” LubomskiCarol Mingarelle

Owen McCormickPhyllis McCracken, SSJ

Denis O’BrienSusan SuttoDaniel Teed

Mary Wingrove

James McNamara, Esq.*

*Non-voting Board Member and Legal Counsel

Mission StatementFounded by the Sisters ofSt. Joseph and operatedin the Catholic tradition,

Saint Mary’s Home of Erieis committed to an

environment of loving to carewhere primarily seniors,

their families, staff and volunteersparticipate in fostering anatmosphere of community.

Vision StatementSaint Mary’s Home of Erie,

through partnership,networking, and referralswill be a principal enabler

to primarily seniorsin the Erie Community

aiding them in living their livesin a respectful, dignified

and fulfilled manner.

Caring across the Centuries 125 years

Phyllis McCracken, SSJPresident/CEO

The star of Bethlehem shines bright, Our Savior is born this Christmas night.

Our Saint Mary’s hearts are filled with joy this season, The birth of Jesus is the reason.

Our Catholic faith-based Mission of Loving to Care, Harkens back to that first Christmas night, if we dare.

Our Sponsor’s Mission of unity, Springs forth as we build community.

We honor those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, And all peoples who seek peace.Our person-centered individualized care has a wide reach.

I thank each of you for your part in our 126 years, Our residents, families, employees and friends,It seems your generosity to Saint Mary’s never ends.

Each of your God-given gifts which you share, Are unique and, like the Star of Bethlehem, very rare.

We greet the New Year, 2011, Remembering each of you and those who no longer are among us,As our songs and prayers waft forth to heaven.

After all we’re Saint Mary’s and we’re all about YOU!

Sister Phyllis McCracken, SSJPresident/CEO

607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • www.stmaryshome.org3

Msgr. Joseph V. Wardanski, Chaplin, Saint Mary’s East

Every morning upon rising we prepare ourselves for the day. Making

preparations for things to happen is part of our daily routine. We prepare for work as well as for retirement. We make preparations for vacation, for weddings, for funerals, for family gatherings and for all sorts of special events.

Currently we are in the Advent season preparing for the coming of the Lord. It is a season of revelation, of promise and of hope. Advent can be a time wasted or a time of peaceful expectation and spiritual fulfillment. Because we live in a secular and materialistic world we must be on guard against all the distractions we face day after day. So often we have good intentions in our waiting for the Lord, but frequently worldly temptations overcome our spiritual enthusiasm and our focus on Jesus fades. We tend to get caught up in what is right in front of us and forget that it might not help us gain eternal life.

Scripture tells us that faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1). What or who are we looking for? In what do we believe? If it is love, if it is kindness, meaningful relationships that last, then we must look to Him who taught and showed us the way. Who has done this? Of course, Jesus. God could not make it clearer. He has sent us His son, Jesus, to reveal the depth of His love, give us new and abundant life, and bring us salvation. For this we prepare. If this does not satisfy what we are looking for we must be looking for the wrong thing.

Merry Christmas,

Msgr. Joseph V. Wardanski

Asbury Ridge Mass schedule

Friday, Dec. 24th, 6:30 PM – Vigil of Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 25th, 10 AM – Solemnity of Christmas, Mass

Sunday, Dec. 26th, 10 AM – Feast of the Holy Family, Mass

Saint Mary’s East Mass schedule

Friday, December 24th, 6:30 pm

Saturday, December 25th, 9:45 am

Sunday, December 26th, 9:45 am

“He has sent us His son, Jesus...”607 East 26th Street • Erie, Pennsylvania 16504 • www.stmaryshome.org

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AROUND OUR HOME...

Asbury Ridge Art Show

Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge Residents held an art show in September to showcase their work which stems from the art classes they participate in at Saint Mary’s. Several Employees also had their work on display.

Saint Vincent Auxiliary Festival of Trees Pictured above are Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge Residents at the Saint Vincent Auxiliary Festival of Trees. Residents at both Saint Mary’s East and Asbury Ridge enjoy many outings to area attractions.

Keeping the Neighborhood BeautifulSaint Mary’s participates every year, rain or shine, in cleaning up the neighborhood on East 26th Street from Ash Street to East Avenue as part of the Adopt-A-Highway Program. Pictured, left to right, are Saint Mary’s Landscapers: Joseph Skopow, Robert Misterovich and David Brainard.


Pictured left are Saint Mary’s East Residents who helped with the holiday decorating that can be seen through the entire campus. Thank you to all of our hardworking elves this year!

Blessed by the BishopBishop Donald Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L. blessed the new Skilled Nursing Renovation and Addition at Saint Mary’s East. The new addition was well received by the Erie Community during a public open house in September. Pictured, left to right, are Cheryl Truett, Director of Nursing, Saint Mary’s East; Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, President/CEO, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie; Moira Sullivan, SSJ, Leadership Team, Sisters of St. Joseph; Mary Ellen Dwyer, Leadership Team, Sisters of St. Joseph; and Most Reverend Donald Trautman, S.T.D., S.S.L., Bishop of Erie.

Holiday Decorating

Pictured, left to right, are Mary Fromknecht, SSJ, Administrator, Saint Mary’s East and Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, President/CEO, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie in front of the Saint Joseph statue in the new Skilled Nursing Courtyard at Saint Mary’s East. The courtyard was dedicated to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania in honor of their 150 years of spirit, courage and vision and 125 years of sponsorship of Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.


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Pictured, left to right, are Jane Kelsey, Board of Trustees Vice Chairperson, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie;

William Flaherty, Board of Trustees Chairperson, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie; and Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, President/CEO,

Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.

Medaille D’OR AwardSaint Mary’s President/CEO, Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, honored four individuals with the Saint Mary’s

Home of Erie Medaille D’Or Award. This prestigious award is given at the discretion of the President/CEO and/or Board of Saint Mary’s Home of Erie. This award is given to individuals who:

Live out the Mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph – of “unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God.”

Exemplify the Mission of Saint Mary’s Home of Erie of “Loving to Care.”

Have worked and/or volunteered in the senior services field and/or has provided meritorious service to Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.

Awards were presented at the Saint Mary’s Home of Erie Board and Friends Christmas Dinner on Wednesday, December 1, 2010. The recipients of the Medaille D’Or Award were Angela Bontempo, Tom Elliott, Denis O’Brien and William Flaherty.

Pictured, left to right, are Angela Bontempo, President/CEO, Saint Vincent Health System; and

Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, President/CEO, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.

Pictured, left to right, are Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, President/CEO, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie; and

Tom Elliott, Board of Trustees Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.

Pictured, left to right, are Denis O’Brien, Board of Trustees Chairperson of the Physical Plant/

Facilities Committee, Saint Mary’s Home of Erie and Phyllis McCracken, SSJ, President/CEO,

Saint Mary’s Home of Erie.


Ne w sSaint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge Honored with Distinct Award

November 30, 2010

DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND OFFICE OF LONG-TERM LIVING ANNOUNCE NURSING FACILITY QUALITY CARE AWARDS

Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Office of Long-Term Living today announced the winners of the 2010 Excellence in Quality Care Award.

This is the first year that outstanding Pennsylvania nursing facilities have been recognized with this new, annual award. The twelve facilities are being honored for providing superior care

to their residents.

“There are many challenges inherent in managing a nursing home and the facilities we honor today have attained the highest standards of excellence,” said Secretary of Aging John Michael Hall. “This is a very special group of nursing facilities. Of the 631 Pennsylvania nursing facilities enrolled in the

Medical Assistance Program, only 12 – less than two percent of the total – earned this distinction, providing an exceptionally high level of care. We heartily congratulate the winners.”

The honorees were chosen because they each received the highest possible rating under the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Five-Star Quality Rating System and had no deficiencies during

inspections by the Department of Health last year.

Each award winner will receive up to $40,000 in state funds that must be used to enhance the quality of life for residents at the nursing facility.

The following is a list of award winners: Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge, ErieLittle Sisters of the Poor, Pittsburgh Vincentian Regency, Allison Park

St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia Calvary Fellowship Homes, Lancaster

Concordia Lutheran Health and Human Care, Cabot Garvey Manor, Hollidaysburg

Golden Living Center, Meyersdale Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg Westminster Woods at Huntingdon, Huntingdon

Penn Hall Menno Haven, Chambersburg Grove Manor, Grove City



EriE ChoiCE AwArds 2010Saint Mary’s Home of Erie was voted Erie’s Choice Retirement Community in the Erie Times News 2010 Erie’s Choice Awards. Saint Mary’s Administration, Residents and Employees would like to

thank everyone who voted for us in this year’s contest.

Adult Day Services Caregiver of the Year Award

Tom Kennedy was presented with Saint Mary’s Adult Day Services Caregiver of the Year Award. This award is given to those who go above and beyond in their role as a caregiver. He is a prime example of Saint Mary’s Mission of “Loving to Care.”

Ne w sAnnual Report for

Saint Mary’s Home of Erie Wins Award

The Nonprofit Partnership recently held an Annual Report Contest for all local nonprofit organizations. Saint Mary’s Home of Erie was awarded first place and $2,500 in the large nonprofit organizations category. Bob Wooler, center, Director of The Nonprofit Partnership, presented the award. Anthony Allegretto, left, Saint Mary’s Director of Marketing and Kim McCaslin, right, Saint Mary’s Director of Development, accepted the award.



John Novello playing a tango he wrote for his parents.

John Novello Jr. was born in Erie, PA in 1948. He attended area schools and went on to become an accomplished key-boardist, composer and author. John works as a solo artist and collaboratively on many albums and movie soundtracks. He also played the role of a pianist in the soap opera The Young and the Restless in the 80’s.

Famous Musician

Holds Private Performance

For Adult Day Services

John currently lives in California where he continues to write and produce music on many different levels. John was even complimented by Tom Cruise as one of the best keyboardist/pianist he has ever heard at a benefit where John was per-forming.

Menga Novello is John’s mother. She currently attends Adult Day Services at Saint Mary’s East. Menga loves, as all moth-ers do, when her son comes back home to visit her. You can see her eyes light up when John walks into the room. She is extremely proud of John’s accomplishments. When Menga found out that John was coming back into town she knew she just had to show him off to her friends at Saint Mary’s.

John graciously took the time to give a private performance in front of his Mom and her peers at Saint Mary’s. He played for close to an hour and highlighted the performance with a tango he wrote years ago specifically for his Mom and Dad. Gleaming after the performance, Menga hugged and thank her son. She even convinced him to come back again for an encore.

Pictured is John Novello with his mother, Menga Novello, after John’s performance at Adult Day Services.



he holiday season is a wonderful time when families and friends take time out of their busy schedules to spend time and visit their loved ones. It is a special time of year when extended families are able to coordinate their schedules so grandparents can visit with their children and grandchildren. It is truly a special time for everyone when generations of a family can all be together at the same time.

Many seniors today wish there were more opportunities to get engaged with their family, friends and community. Often times health problems, busy schedules and distance between their support systems prevent seniors from staying engaged in the lives of others. Fortunately, through intergenerational programs offered at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie, there are many opportunities for Residents to fulfill this desire.

Intergenerational Programs

Pictured above is Our Lady of Mount Carmel 2nd grade students and Saint Mary’s East Residents. Each student was paired with a Resident and given a picture frame they painted and decorated together.

Saint Mary’s Residents have a variety of intergenera-tional programs available to them. Several schools have relationships with Saint Mary’s East and Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge. Some of the school students sing and entertain. Others actively participate in arts and crafts with the Residents. Sometimes Residents visit the schools to help students with projects or play games together like bingo or the Nintendo Wii.

In the past few months, Saint Mary’s Residents have visited schools to help with community projects. They enjoyed group projects with students where they bonded and shared life experiences through youthful and seasoned perspectives. They are able to bridge the generation gaps that so often separate these two different groups in our society.

T



Brighten Everyone’s Days

Pictured above are Asbury Elementary students with Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge Residents for the Asbury Elementary Soup Kitchen Harvest in September. Several pounds of vegetables were donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank from this intergenerational program.

One of the schools that incorporate intergenerational programs with Saint Mary’s East Residents is Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This past September, Residents visited second grade students there during an art class. The Residents were each paired with a student and they painted and decorated picture frames together. The smiles and the stories that took place during this visit would have moved anyone. One student said it was her favorite class because the Resident she was with made her feel good and listened to her.

Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge Residents had a wonderful opportunity all summer long to work with Asbury Elementary students on a project they called the Asbury Soup Kitchen Harvest. The Residents and students worked together to plant, grow and harvest several pounds of vegetables. Then they donated the vegetables to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

It was not only a great learning experience for the children, but a great service project for Saint Mary’s Residents. It enabled them to contribute to their community and bond with students over an extended period of time.

The benefits of these types of interactions are far reaching. They bridge a generational gap and intimately strengthen our community at its core. Let us all remember how important it is to spend time and visit with each other during this holiday season. Make sure to take the time to call and visit those who are special to you. Also make sure that as our population lives longer and longer, we take the time to bring everyone together, both the young and mature.

Christmas Star Appeal

607 East 26th StreetErie, Pennsylvania 16504

Sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph

of Northwestern Pennsylvania,Saint Mary’s Home of Erie is

non-discriminatory in admissions, services and employment.

The Mirror is published quarterly for the residents, families and

friends of Saint Mary’s Home of Erie. Comments and suggestions for

articles are welcome. Contact Anthony J. Allegretto at

814-836-5316 or [email protected].

Phyllis McCracken, SSJPresident and Chief Executive Officer

Anthony J. AllegrettoDirector of Marketing,

Editor

Kimberly McCaslin, CFREDirector of Development

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coverage, please call1-800-MEDICARE or visit

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Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDErie, PA

Permit No. 163

Our Mission of “loving to care” and “fostering an atmosphere of community” flows out of the

Mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph of “unity of neighbor with neighbor and neighbor with God”.

Caring across the Centuries

The official regisTraTion and financial informaTion of sainT mary’s home of erie may be obTained from The PeNNsylvaNia deparTmenT of sTaTe by calling Toll free, wiThin pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. regisTraTion does noT imply endorsemenT. FlORiDa #ch 32789: a copy of The official regisTraTion and financial informaTion may be obTained from The division of consUmer services by calling Toll-free (800-435-7352) wiThin The sTaTe. regisTraTion does noT imply endoresemenT, approval, or recommendaTion by The sTaTe.

Gifts in Memory Many family and friends honor the passing of a loved one through a memorial gift to Saint Mary’s. A note is sent to the family notifying them that you have made a gift in their loved ones’ memory. The donation amount is kept confidential.

Gifts in HonorAn honor gift is an opportune way to tell a family member that you love them, express gratitude to an employee or thank a volunteer who has made a special impact. A note is sent to the individual being honored notifying them of your tribute. The amount of the gift is kept confidential.

Don’t let this season of joy and giving pass without remembering our Mission. If you have not made your

gift to Saint Mary’s in 2010, we ask that you consider joining us with a gift to our Christmas Star Appeal.

Saint Mary’s relies on the generosity of our long-time donors as well as first-time donors to support seniors that are unable to afford their own care. The benevolent care we provide has soared to more than $688,000.

This year’s theme is inspiring because the ‘Christmas Star’ is a heavenly sign of prophecy…a symbol of hope, happiness and joy. Like the ‘Christmas Star’ you provide hope, happiness and joy to the Residents and their families.

Seniors from this ‘Greatest Generation’ have planned and saved their whole lives. The economy, an illness or a long life can exhaust retirement funds very quickly. Your generous donation to the Christmas Star Appeal will help restore hope to those suffering life-changing financial losses.

We thank you for the privilege of serving your family members and friends and helping us provide a loving, caring community.

supporting the Benevolent Care Program

10%

Cert no. BV-COC-071201

a publication of saint mary’s home of erie · christmas at saint mary’s around our home...

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