Little Sisters of the Poor ST. ANNE’S HOME

Serving the elderly poor in San Francisco since 1901.

Our New Leader of the Richmond District! Peg Webber. Clearly, each person had a Much to the delight of her story to tell, and it did not take long for family, coming home to her to see that the heart of San Francisco San Francisco and to St. is truly celebrated in this Home. Anne’s also brings her Mother Theresa left San Francisco home to her family. when St. Anne’s was a four-story red brick Mother Theresa comes to building gracing Lake Street, the 49ers us from St. Mary’s Home played at Kezar Stadium and the Giants in Chicago, but not unlike played at Candlestick Park. Although a lot many of our Little Sisters has changed since then, it is still the same her life of service has taken spirit of family that prevails at St. Anne’s her from across the United Home. Kindness of heart and generosity of States to the peaceful spirit are still the common denominators countryside of France. She among the loyal and faithful supporters has witnessed the majesty of the Little Sisters of the Poor, who with great pleasure say, “Welcome home, Resident Elizabeth Herrera, one of the many Residents to present of the Rocky Mountains, Mother with welcome flowers upon her arrival to St. Anne’s Home. the beauty of the Great Mother Theresa!” Lakes, and the power of By: Maria Cunningham the Mississippi. She has Upcoming Events (With excerpts from Welcome Speech by encouraged, comforted, celebrated, and Barbara Anderson, May 30, 2014) prayed with members of the greatest Fall Rummage Sale generation from the shores of the Atlantic Friday, Sept. 12 & Saturday, Sept 13 Recently, we bid farewell to Mother to the Pacific. Margaret, who served as our Mother St. Anne’s Home Superior for the last six years and has On May 30th, Mother Theresa walked Auxiliary Fall Luncheon now moved on to our home in San Pedro through the doors of 300 Lake Street to be greeted by Sisters, staff and friends, Tuesday, September 23 to serve as superior at the Jeanne Jugan Lake Merced Golf Club Residence. We also welcomed our new as well as the smiling faces, twinkling leader, Mother Theresa Gertrude, who eyes, and sharp wit of Residents Invitations to follow this summer has returned home after who call St. Anne’s, home. She was Celebrate HeART 47 years. Mother eloquently welcomed by her sister and An Evening of Fine Art & Festivities Theresa is not Association Jeanne Jugan member, Thursday, November 20 just a native of Barbara Anderson, who stood before St. Anne’s Home San Francisco; the button mosaic of the Golden Gate Invitations to follow in early October she is a native Bridge created by 96 year-old Resident,

ST. ANNE’S HOME | 300 Lake Street | San Francisco, CA Summer 2014 Little Sisters of the Poor

Following the Path of St. Jeanne Jugan

By: Maria Cunningham Celine, the first American to The region of in Northwestern serve as Superior General, and France is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean with whom we had the delight to the West, the English Channel to the to share conversation about North, and the Bay of Biscayne to the life at St. Anne’s Home and South. It is home to picturesque beach her native San Francisco. It is communities with breathtaking coastal also home to Little Sisters in views and fishing ports, as well as formation. Before taking final inland woods and towns preserving their vows all Little Sisters spend Celtic roots and traditional 15th century one year at the Motherhouse architecture. Importantly, it is also the and are immersed in the birthplace of St. Jeanne Jugan and home French language, the common to the Motherhouse for the Little Sisters language spoken among them. Entrance to La Tour St. Joseph, Motherhouse of the Little Sisters of of the Poor. This Spring, my husband We were immediately the Poor in St. Pern, France and I had the pleasure of visiting this absorbed in the tranquil beauty as the site where St. Jeanne Jugan wonderful part of the world and sharing of La Tour and transported to another performed her charitable works and for time with the Little Sisters that was rich in time. We walked the halls that Jeanne its lovely shops and restaurants. The first Jugan walked, prayed in the chapel where Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor sits she prayed, and visited the room where she uttered her last words. We stood by a building that now serves as administrative offices, but was once the spot where Little Sisters were held captive during World War II. Mother Assistant Gerard quietly explained, “We had captives during that time, but no Little Sister martyrs.” There was so much depth to that statement, and so much about this region that makes that time in history come alive. From St. Pern, we traveled to Cancale, the birthplace of St. Jeanne Jugan and to St. Servan, the site of the first Home for the Little Sisters of the Poor. Cancale is a The peaceful path to the chapel on the grounds of quaint beach community also famous for the Motherhouse Sisters at prayer in the chapel at La Tour large flavorful oysters enjoyed throughout on a cobblestoned street named after Pope their history and distinguished with visits France and for expansive oyster beds John XXIII. A short distance from there is to sacred spaces that memorialize the very visible to visitors from the shore, during Ma Maison St. Servan , the current Little beginnings of their congregation. low tide. A short distance from the beach Sisters Home for the Aged, where 47 La Tour St. Joseph, the Little Sisters’ sits a small 18th century house complete residents are charged to their care. Beside Motherhouse, is located in the countryside with thatched roof and period furniture Ma Maison is the convent which was community of St. Pern that tops off with – the birthplace of St. Jeanne Jugan. A abandoned during the French Revolution a population of about 1000 residents. La humble home, where animals were kept and which St. Jeanne Jugan acquired and Tour is the burial site of St. Jeanne Jugan, on the lower level, the family lived on transformed into the larger home needed the center of operations for the Little the upper level, and the spot from where for the elderly at the time. Sisters, and a working farm, replete with Jeanne Jugan’s father, a fisherman, left for Visiting the home in St. Servan, one blond cows, that peacefully graze on the the sea, never to return again. immediately gets the same feeling one grounds. It is home to Mother General St. Servan today is known to travelers gets when Continued on back page ST. ANNE’S HOME

in landscapes and the light I see in people. When I see a special moment of light, I use Celebrate HeART 2014, a Fine Art my camera to capture it. I then work from Exhibit, Sale and Cocktail Reception will the photograph to reinterpret the feeling of be held at St. Anne’s Home on Thursday, that moment. My joy is in translating with November 20. Our Auxiliary and Advisory paint the visual and emotional content of Council have partnered on behalf of St. that point in time. I am honored to be a part Anne’s Home to present this special encore of Celebrate HeART 2014 and to share the event that will feature Bay Area Passages, work that I love for a cause that supports the works of artist Susan Schneider. such a vital need in our society.” Schneider, a native Californian who Celebrate HeART, back by popular finds herself captivated by the natural demand, will be an event to remember. beauty that surrounds us in the Bay Area Mark your calendars and come kick-off the and beyond explains, “I am moved by the holiday season with us. Don’t miss these emotions and beauty of the people I meet. one of a kind festivities, which are sure to My artistic antennae react to the light I see delight one and all.

A Great Honor in my Life

By Paul Chu – Resident St. Anne’s Home for Evangelization of Peoples, and our the Catholics in China. I also asked for This past March, my dreams were meeting with the Chinese Church Affairs a special prayer for Bishop Fan of the fulfilled by being able to visit Commission. It was a great honor for me Shanghai Diocese, a Jesuit priest who had and the Vatican in the company of Fr. to meet Archbishop Han and to have the just passed away. Pope Francis’ blessing Bu and my brother, Lide, who is also a opportunity to discuss the present situation was also extended to St. Anne’s Home for priest. My heart cherishes many special of the Chinese Church. the Aged, my home in San Francisco. memories from this trip, including the Through him, God also provided us with The following day, the feast of St. Joseph, meeting with Archbishop Han Dahui, the the great blessing to attend a private Mass marked the Pope’s first anniversary of his Secretary General of the Congregation celebrated by Pope Francis. After Mass, assumption of duties and we received the Holy Farther gave the tickets to his public audience. I was, participants interviews again, fortunate enough to meet a German and blessings one by one. priest who brought me to the patients’ area When he came to me, I where people gathered to receive special knelt down and kissed his blessings from the Pope. Pope Francis ring. Pope Francis helped me up with both hands. I smiled as he came to me – he remembered then took out a paper with me from the previous day! He laid his some brief English that I hands on my head and made the sign of learned to be able to talk the cross on my forehead. I took out a pen with him. I said, “Papa, and his photograph, purchased from one of Holy Father, we love the Vatican shops, and he kindly signed it you!” I asked him to bless for me. It has given me great happiness to our Chinese Church, all now have met three Popes in my lifetime the religious, and all of and to have received blessings from them. Visit us at www.littlesistersofthepoorSANFRANCISCO.org Mother’s Following the Path continued... Continued from page 2 walking into any significant at the end of our time in Message of the Homes run by the Little Sisters. St. Servan to be introduced to a volunteer People are happy, secure and well cared arriving for her duties, who bore a for. The Little Sisters provide a safe striking resemblance to St. Jeanne Jugan. haven for the elderly throughout the A coincidence we thought, but no, this world. Hospitality - the fourth vow taken dedicated volunteer was working in the by the Little Sisters is what sets them “family business” - one of the last living apart, what makes their Homes such a descendants of St. Jeanne Jugan. gift, and why they are one of the most Merci beaucoup to Mother General inspirational religious orders in the world, Celine, Mother Assistant Gerard, carrying out their mission without an Sr. Rosemary, Sr. Agnes and to all of the endowment and primarily from donations. Little Sisters in St. Pern and St. Servan There were many memorable moments for your warmth, hospitality, and an during our visit, but it was especially extraordinary visit with you.

I joined the St. Anne’s family just Ways to Help a few short weeks ago, and it has Mobility lifts assist us in safely and comfortably moving our Residents in and out of bed, in been wonderful to meet the team and out of wheelchairs, from sitting to standing positions, as well as with repositioning in that forms this community, everyone bed. This is a much needed aid in the care of our most frail Residents with restricted mobility. from the remarkable Residents to the Our current lifts are well used and in need of replacement. Thank you for considering dedicated staff, who are an extension helping us fund this important life safety need. Donations in any amount meaningful to of our hands in so many different you will directly enhance the quality of life of our Residents with the most need. areas — everything from day-to- day loving care of the Residents to building maintenance, from laundry Auxiliary Corner and housekeeping to nutrition, from By: Marisa Mizono was capped by a reception and dinner activities to administration and The Auxiliary kicked off the month of honoring Dee Dee and George Bovone development. It has been a pleasure April with the Spring Rummage Sale. with the 2014 Catholic Service Award to meet all the members of our team, Twice a year, St. Anne’s Home turns for their work on behalf of St. Anne’s into a virtual Bazaar bringing together Home and the community at large. The including members of our Advisory the entire St. Anne’s community to tournament raised $50,000, but more Council who generously share their work tirelessly on what has become importantly continues to bring in new professional expertise and lend legendary as one of the best rummage friends for the Little Sisters of the Poor. support to our fundraising efforts; sales in the Bay Area. The sale netted our Association Jeanne Jugan over $25,000! members who are always ready to We closed the month of April with lend a hand or an ear to Residents our 5th Annual Swing and A Prayer in need; and our Auxiliary members Golf Tournament at the Presidio who volunteer their time in a variety Golf Course. Emceed by local golf of areas, including the coordination celebrity and St. Anne’s supporter, John of special events. Abendroth, and co-Chaired by Pete Crudo, Dan Burke and Bill Terheyden, I am very excited about getting this event has become a yearly tradition Awardees DeeDee and George Bovone are to know everyone a little better and looked forward to by many friends and presented with the 2014 Catholic Service Award by look forward to working with each supporters. A fun-filled day of golf Msgr. John Talesfore. of you. Many thanks to all for making me Do you know how to use a sewing machine? Would you like to be a part of our Craft feel so welcome on my return home. Ladies Group? If so, please contact Auxiliary Member Paula Podesta at 415-456-8686.

Mother Theresa ST. ANNE’S HOME | 300 Lake Street | San Francisco, CA