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LITTLE SISTERS of the POOR a Miracle in Our Midst

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LITTLE SISTERS of the POOR a Miracle in Our Midst LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR Summer, 2013 ST. ANNE’S HOME 300 Lake Street San Francisco, CA ST. ANNE’S HOME Serving the elderly poor in San Francisco since 1901. A Miracle in our Midst BY: MARIA CUNNINGHAM rate, but time passed and In 1989, Dr. Edward Gatz was diagnosed with invasive cancer of the Dr. Gatz was still alive. esophagus and expected to live no more than six months. Today, Dr. In 2002, thirteen years Gatz is cancer free and he and his wife, Jeanne, passionately share the post-surgery, Mrs. Gatz story that begins with a devastating diagnosis and ends in something that contacted the Little Sisters can only be described as miraculous. We were honored to have Dr. and of the Poor in Kansas City Mrs. Jeanne Gatz recently visit San Francisco and share the details of to tell them that her husband their journey to the miracle that led to the canonization of St. Jeanne had been cured of cancer Jugan, the Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor. through the intercession Twenty-four years of Jeanne Jugan. The ago Dr. Gatz expected investigation into his cure to die. He was depressed was begun. In 2008, Pope and not even interested Benedict XVI signed in thinking about the the decree endorsing the next day. He declined validity of the miraculous to undergo conventional cure of Dr. Gatz through treatments as he was the intercession of Blessed told that they would not Jeanne Jugan. In October cure him and likely not Dr. Edward Gatz and Mrs. Jeanne Gatz at the 2009, Jeanne Jugan was St. Anne’s Chapel. prolong his life. The first canonized. thing Mrs. Gatz wanted to do was to pray and to get everyone to pray with her. Seeking solace, Dr. Gatz is often referred Dr. and Mrs. Gatz took a moment to enjoy our to as the miracle doctor, Lourdes Grotto replica with the Little Sisters. she contacted her old friend, Fr. Richard McGloin, S.J., who had been (Left to right, Jeanne Gatz, Sr. Maria, Sr. not only her professor, but was also a former chaplain for the Little but he fervently clarifies, “I Mary Eva, Mother Margaret, Sr. Anthony, Sr. am not a miracle, I am the Geraldine and Edward Gatz) Holiday Boutique Sisters of the Poor. He immediately encouraged her to pray to Jeanne Jugan. Along with Mrs. Gatz, Fr. McGloin prayed to Jeanne Jugan every recipient of a miracle.” He Christmas Carnival day. Dr. Gatz was given the sacrament of the anointing of the sick three goes on to further explain, “The miracle was not a snap of the fingers. Preview Party - times and he explains, “A most unexpected and powerful event took It happened over time. To this day, functions continue to come back.” Thursday, November 21, 2013 place for me after receiving the anointing. There was a sense of peace When I asked Mrs. Gatz how long she prayed to St. Jeanne Jugan, she Luncheons - and joy, almost euphoria, and each time was more powerful than the one looked at me somewhat surprised and said, “Oh my, I’ve never stopped! Saturday, November 23, 2013 before.” From that point, Dr. Gatz was ready to take it all on. Surgery was The main thing is to have faith, and that is what has gotten us through.” performed to remove the fist-sized tumor from his esophagus because if The Gatz story is one that inspires faith, motivates hope and, much not removed, it would block his ability to swallow. The surgery, which like the work of the Little Sisters, uplifts the spirit. It was a privilege to removed most of his esophagus and stomach, had a very low success have had them in our midst. LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR Inspired Aging BY: MARIA CUNNINGHAM Preparations for the With lives as busy as they are for most of us, active aging is event are as therapeutic as not something that is planned, but something that just happens. the games themselves. The However, in community living and as people enter their later years, games opening ceremonies it does become more organized in order to yield the most fulfilling include the lighting of the results. St. Anne’s Home believes in inspired aging and prides Olympic Torch - a torch, itself in having a most which was made by Residents enriching schedule of from a donated halogen lamp activities for Residents and completely transformed at all levels. Activities with donated baubles, beads, include everything from other discarded metals chair exercises and Wii and topped off with an Bowling to painting oversized, upside down red and music therapy, martini glass. However, best but every Summer we of all are the memories and welcome the Summer the gratification realized Resident, Johnny Foley, tests lighting the Olympics. This event by our Residents. A perfect Olympic Torch in preparation for the St. Gold, Silver, Bronze! The lovingly handcrafted Anne’s Summer Olympics set to begin mid- Olympic Medals are ready and waiting for the enters its 6th year this example of this is Resident summer. 2013 winners. year and epitomizes Mary Coyle, who began community building for participating in weekly Wii Bowling games, and although she our Residents. The shyest of the shy come out to cheer on their started with low scores, she never gave up. She continued with fellow Residents or to compete themselves for the chance to bring the weekly activity trying her best each time and last year pre- home one of the medals that each year are so artfully designed and qualified, competed in the Summer Olympics Wii Bowling handcrafted by Tim Lobacz, St. Anne’s Creative Arts Director, Challenge, and won the gold medal in her division! With her with the assistance of several Residents who relish the idea of boosted confidence she now looks forward to defending her title utilizing their arts and crafts skills. against spirited competition. Auxiliary News BY MARIA CUNNINGHAM the Little Sisters. The $50,000 raised from this event Earlier this Spring, our Auxiliary hosted Celebrate will also go toward the new Nurse Call System. Many HeART, an art sale, auction, and reception, which was thanks to all who have worked tirelessly year after met with a great deal of support and enthusiasm from year to guarantee the vitality of our golf tournament. the community. The event not only raised $100,000, Our Carriage House Rummage Sale, held annually which has helped to close the gap on the funds each Spring and Fall, continues to be one of our best needed for the installation of a much needed Nurse community building events, bringing together the Celebrate HeART event committee members take a moment during the festivities of the Call System, but also introduced many new friends to combined efforts of not only our dedicated Rummage evening to enjoy the backdrop of Light by St. Anne’s Home. Our most sincere thanks to all who Sale Committee, but also volunteers at large, as well helped contribute to the success of this event. Light, diptych created especially for St. Anne’s as Residents and staff. The work is year round with Home. (Left to right, Joanne Murphy, Maria April 26th marked the date for our Annual Swing and the inspection, sorting and categorizing of donations, Cunningham, Diane Wilsey, Mother Margaret a Prayer Golf Tournament at the Presidio Golf Course. culminating in a full week of set-up and pricing. The and Marisa Mizono) The golf tournament, which originally started in the work is laborious and not at all glamorous, but the 1970’s, was resurrected 4 years ago, and with the camaraderie among the volunteers devoted to this support of loyal sponsors, benefactors and volunteers event is heartwarming. The income from the Spring has gained steam with each year. It was a sell-out Rummage Sale set a new record at $26,000 for a two- event attended by people from all over the Bay Area day sale. Hat’s off to all for our wonderful community and as far away as Reno, Nevada. Attendees included event. individuals who were new guests, as well as golfers Our next event, our traditional biennial holiday who had been loyal supporters of the event in the boutique, Christmas Carnival, will be held on ‘70’s to golfers who had volunteered at St. Anne’s Thursday, November 21st and Saturday, November Home as children. The common current for all is the 23rd. Please mark your calendars and save that date! firm belief in the mission of hospitality carried out by 2013 Swing and a Prayer golfers ready to take We look forward to seeing you all for the holidays. on the greens at the Presidio Golf Course. ST. ANNE’S HOME Extraordinary Providence Susan Schneider, a local Bay Area artist, Susan arrived at St. Anne’s with hammer created Light by Light, a powerful and and hardware, ready to hang the paintings captivating diptych painting that debuted herself. The paintings were prominently at the 2010 Red Tie Launch Party and was hung in the St. Anne’s lobby ready for our later displayed at the Red Tie Gala. The first-ever art sale gala. “It brought such joy 60” x 96” work of art symbolizes the roots to my heart to see how positively those who of the Little Sisters of the Poor as well as were seeing the paintings for the first time “The title for this painting was inspired by the hand-to-hand their compassionate mission. It represents responded to the imagery and symbolism. generosity shown by Saint Jeanne Jugan and carried on by shelter and recalls the early years of the I even told my mom, it was alright if they Little Sisters of the Poor.
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