MISSION STATEMENT Responding to the call of the Gospel, Christopher Homes, Inc. strives to provide decent, affordable housing to vulnerable members of our community. All who are associated with Christopher Homes, Inc. have the right to respect, dignity and a sense of well being. Therefore, through the service and commitment of our staff and volunteers, we will enable our residents to grow spiritually, socially, and intellectually, empowering them to develop their optimal potential. Christopher Homes is a senior living ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. KEEPING YOUR HEART HEALTHY

Health habits brought to you by

It’s American Heart Month! Celebrate by making a few simple changes for better heart health.

Staying active is key to keeping your heart strong. Exercises like walking, chair aerobics or dancing are great ways to get active. A good goal is to get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.

Start slowly and build up to the activity level your doctor says is right for you. You can ask family and friends to join you and track your progress in a journal. If you don’t have time for 30 minutes of activity, try breaking it up into 10- or 15-minute segments.

Eating heart-healthy foods is also important. These include: • Fruits and vegetables • Whole grain breads • Canned goods with no added salt or sugar • Poultry or tuna packed in water, not oil • Lean meats, such as rump roast or pork loin • Fat-free or 1-percent milk or milk products

Another way to “love your heart” is to manage high blood pressure and cholesterol. Talk with your doctor about your health goals and any medications you take for these conditions.

So show your heart some love—educate yourself and your loved ones about how to keep your heart healthy.

To follow the Health Habits blog online head to www.christopherhomes.org. You’ll find this article as well as previous health-related articles.

Also, follow Christopher Homes on: Facebook: @christopherhomesano Twitter: @chi_archno Instagram: @christopherhomesinc

2 WELCOME ABOARD!

Tira Bland Kyle George Kartrina Williams Ashenta Spears Recertification Specialist Porter/Housekeeper Bus Driver Housekeeper Wynhoven Mater Dolorosa Rouquette Lodge Wynhoven SPOTLIGHT ON SUCCESS February Employee of the Month Luz Vinasco Granada Housekeeper St. Bernard Manor

Visitors to St. Bernard Manor regularly compliment the cleanliness and appearance of the property. The community is kept in top form due to the hard work of Luz. Not only does she excel with her responsibilities, she always greets residents, staff and visitors with a friendly smile! Congratulations Luz!

February 11

We pray for all who are suffering and for those who take care of the sick.

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 3 METAIRIE MANOR KING CAKE PARTY Our Metairie Manor residents kicked off Mardi Gras festivities with a king cake party. Attendees dressed in their purple, green and gold and enjoyed an afternoon with a sweet treat, music and dancing!

ZULU PRESENTATION AT MATER DOLOROSA

Mater Dolorosa residents were treated to a Presenters included Brian Sims - Zulu King presentation about the history of the Zulu Social Aid Elect 2020, Christopher Wyre - Zulu Big Shot 2020, and Pleasure Club. Jerome Temple - Zulu Governor 2020, Tannard Darensburg - Zulu Mr. Big Stuff 2020, and Mr. Giles as Historian. ALL THAT GLITTERS

Annunciation Inn residents let their creativity sparkle with a craft perfect for carnival season! The crafters enjoyed glittering tableware for a festive touch! 4 PARADE SCHEDULE SATURDAY, February 8, 2020 SUNDAY, February 16, 2020 SUNDAY, February 23, 2020 French Quarter French Quarter Metairie Krewe du Vieux 6:30 pm Krewe of Barkus 2:00 pm Krewe of Athena 5:30 pm Krewe Delusion Follows Metairie Krewe of Pandora 6:30 pm Slidell Krewe of Atlas 4:00 pm New Orleans Krewe of Bilge 12:00 pm Krewe of Kings Follows Krewe of Okeanos 11:00 am Krewe of Poseiden 6:00 pm New Orleans Krewe of Mid-City 11:45 am Krewe of Femme Fatale 11:00 am Krewe of Thoth 12:00 pm SUNDAY, February 9, 2020 Krewe of Carrollton Follows Krewe of Bacchus 5:15 pm Metairie Krewe of King Arthur Follows Krewe of Little Rascals 12:00 pm Slidell MONDAY, February 24, 2020 Slidell Krewe of Dionysus 1:00 pm New Orleans Krewe of Slidellians 1:00 pm Krewe of Proteus 5:15 pm Krewe of Perseus Follows WEDNESDAY, February 19, 2020 Krewe of Orpheus 6:00 pm New Orleans FRIDAY, February 14, 2020 Krewe of Druids 6:15 pm TUESDAY, February 25, 2020 French Quarter Krewe of Nix 6:45 pm Metairie Krewe of Cork 3:00 pm Krewe of Argus 10:00 am Metairie THURSDAY, February 20, 2020 Krewe of Elks Jefferson Follows Krewe of Excalibur 6:00 pm New Orleans Krewe of Jefferson Follows New Orleans Knights of Babylon 5:30 pm New Orleans Krewe of Oshun 6:00 pm Knights of Chaos 6:15 pm Krewe of Zulu 8:00 am Krewe of Cleopatra 6:00 pm Krewe of Muses 6:30 pm Krewe of Rex 10:00 am Krewe of Alla Follows Krewe of Elks Orleans Follows Mandeville FRIDAY, February 21, 2020 Krewe of Crescent City Follows Krewe of Eve 7:00 pm French Quarter Covington Krewe of Bosom Buddies 11:30 am Covington Lions Club 10:00 am SATURDAY, February 15, 2020 New Orleans Krewe of Covington Follows Metairie Krewe of Hermes 5:30 pm Folsom Krewe of Mad Hatters 5:00 pm Krewe d’Etat 6:30 pm Krewe of Folsom 2:00 pm Krewe of Centurions Follows Krewe of Morpheus 7:00 pm New Orleans Slidell Krewe of Pontchartrain 1:00 pm Krewe of Selene 6:30 pm Have a Happy Krewe of Choctaw Follows Krewe of Freret Follows SATURDAY, February 22, 2020 Knights of Sparta 5:30 pm New Orleans and Safe Krewe of Pygmalion Follows Krewe of Iris 11:00 am Westbank Krewe of Tucks 12:00 pm Mystic Knights of Adonis 11:45 am Westbank Slidell Krewe of NOMTOC 10:45 am Krewe of Paws 10:00 am Mid-City Krewe of Titans 6:30 pm Krewe of Endymion 4:15 pm Madisonville Kenner Krewe of Tchefuncte 1:00 pm Krewe of Isis 6:00 pm Covington Krewe of Olympia 6:00 pm Chalmette Knights of Nemesis 1:00 pm

5 UPCOMING EVENTS MARDI GRAS INDIAN St. Joseph’s Day – March 19 You may recall a past newsletter feature on our Villa St. Maurice resident and Mardi Gras Indian, Mr. It is a tradition for a few of our properties to host Michael Jordan. Each year he devotes much of his a St. Joseph’s Altar. Please consider visiting our time to creating his intricate and beautiful costume. altars at: Here, he is pictured with his costume for this year’s Rouquette Lodge – March 13 festivities. More on his story and his family history Metairie Manor – March 18 & 19 among the Mardi Gras Indians, can be found in our March 2019 newsletter online at: www.christopherhomes.org/newsletters.

M M M A A A R R R D D D I I I Jefferson Parish Senior Expo – March 31 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Pontchartrain Center Health and wellness vendors, Groovy ‘60s costume contest, music by DJ Rockin Ron and lunch! We hope to see you there! G G G R R R A A A S S S

I I I N N N D D D I I I A A A N N N 6 MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS We wish a big “Happy Birthday” to two special residents of Metairie Manor. Ms. Marie celebrated her 100th birthday and Ms. Rosie celebrated her 95th birthday! The residents coordinated a birthday bash that showered the birthday ladies with tons of love – and a special performance by Fr. Bob!

WYNHOVEN CHAIR EXERCISE These residents are starting the year off by focusing on their health and mobility! Keep up the great work!

SING ALONG It was afternoon filled with pizazz as some Rouquette Lodge residents participated in a Cabaret Sing Along!

7 FROM THE DEACON’S DESK

Dear Residents and Staff,

“Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” James 5:14

While we enjoy the Mardi Gras season with parades and king cake, we realize that Lent is quickly approaching with its call to sacrifice and renewal. The of our Catholic Christian faith and New Orleans culture,and regardless almsgiving. of our Regardless faith tradition, of Lent, prayer, fasting, embrace the disciplines personal resources, New Orleanians have always been known for our generosity and willingness to share with others in need. While fasting and abstaining from meat during Lent can be a challenge even in our seafood rich food culture, we have a way of celebrating even that discipline as evidenced by dishes such as the late, great Leah Chase’s meatless Gumbo Z’Herbes.

The one Lenten discipline our residents of Christopher Homes are most adapted to participating in is prayer. As the younger members of our families go about their lives of raising children, going off to work, and worrying with the daily grind of life, the retired life of residents of Christopher Homes properties allow for more time to reflect on the contemplative life and enter into prayer. And we all realize that our world, our city, and our families are in great need of prayer.

I recently attended a symposium on human trafficking put on by our Archdiocesan Respect Life ministry at Holy Cross College. The event was well organized and well attended but the subject matter was heart wrenching. The testimony of the speakers tears at the heart and baffles the mind.

How could anyone, much less a biological father, offer his young daughter to other men for their pleasure? Human trafficking is a scourge of our society but more than that it is a nightmare to the victims, children and young adults caught up in its web of depravity and evil.

At the symposium, Christopher Homes was specifically identified for our residents’ participation in prayer ministry for Respect Life issues. As we move into Lent with its call for increased prayer, I am asking that we focus on this scourge of Human Trafficking and offer scripture reflections, rosaries, personal and communal prayers, and liturgies that God may heal our society, protect our children and young adults, and turn the hearts of those who violate them away from this sinful nature.

May God bless you and keep you.

Deacon Dennis F. Adams Executive Director, Christopher Homes