St. Louis Spirit—— SUMMER 2016——

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y

The past three months have been incredibly hectic and exciting, and Divine Providence continues to bless St. Louis Center and the people who have become a part of our family. I would like to begin by congratulating Kenneth Unterbrink who is now the State Deputy of the Michigan Knights of Columbus. Ken was voted into his new position by the membership of the Michigan Knights at the State Convention on Mackinac Island during Memorial Day weekend. Ken officially assumed his office on July 1, 2016. We wish him well during the next two years, and we invoke all the graces and blessings he will need in carrying

out his mandate. We also thank Past State Deputy Bob Fox for his ongoing support to St. Louis Center and for joining the CAC as a regular member.

The generous donations we received came from the heart of our supporters, and we thank all of you for what you have done to keep our dreams alive. In particular during the past three months, we thank the Randazzo Family, Michael Russell O’Brien and St. Joseph Parish in Dexter, Mike and Bridget Roddy, and everyone who supported the Golf & Glory Outing

at UM, the Paesano’s Dinner, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, and the I.A.D. Golf Outing in Rochester Hills.

As people are fond of giving to us, our residents are fond of giving back to the community, and several are now working with the Meals on Wheels program in Chelsea to provide hot meals to homebound seniors.

Finally, I can assure you that our plans are moving

forward for the new St. Louis Guanella Village, and we are planning a formal groundbreaking

16195 W. Old US Hwy. 12, Chelsea MI 48118 phone 734-475-8430 fax 734-475-0310 www.stlouiscenter.org

St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea made a $100,000 donation to St. Louis Center on Wednesday, June 22, 2016, during a surprise visit, to support the design, development and implementation of an electronic health record and care management IT platform for our residents. “We are honored to be able to provide this financial gift so that St. Louis Center can continue to provide a safe environment of care for some of our most vulnerable community members,” said Nancy Graebner, President and CEO, St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea.

Electronic health records enable a patient’s medical history to be more easily retained and shared across different health care settings to improve patient care. Improved accuracy and clarity of medical

records reduces the incidence of medical error, duplication of tests, and delays in treatment, and enables patients to be well-informed.

Fr. Enzo Addari, added, “We are grateful for the generosity and friendship of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea, and anything we can do to upgrade our current health care practices

will only continue to add to the quality of life of our residents.”

contiued on pg. 6 ...

Dr. Rosalie Tocco-Bradley, Chief Medical Officer of St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor and St. Joseph Mercy Livingston hospitals, greets Fr.

Enzo Addari and SLC residents after the check presentation.

Surprise Gift from St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea

Administrator’s Message

Jack Tocco, Jr., Nino Randazzo, Fr. Enzo, Sonny Randazzo, and Nino Tocco outside the event.

St. Louis Spirit

On Thursday, April 21, 2016, the Randazzo family sponsored a second annual “Men’s Social Fundraiser” to raise money for St. Louis Center. The Randazzo family owns three “Fresh Food” markets in Macomb, Warren and Clinton Twp. north of Detroit, and made a promise to Fr. Enzo Addari that they would try to raise funds for St. Louis Center every year. Nino and Sonny Randazzo came up with the idea of hosting a “Men’s Social Fundraiser” in 2015, and the idea took off. Over 200 people were in attendance at this year’s event

featuring Italian cuisine, desserts, an espresso bar, cigars, and a wine bar.

After the event, Sonny Randazzo said, “We had a blast hosting the event, and I can’t believe how much fun we had. It’s such a good cause to work for, and we’re happy to help Fr. Enzo and the special residents of St. Louis Center who need our help to continue to live a good life. I know this event will keep getting bigger and better every year!” The Randazzo Family is already looking forward to the next event in April 2017.

Former St. Louis Center Community Advisory Council Chairman Kenneth Unterbrink was elected State Deputy of the Michigan Knights of Columbus

at the State Convention on Mackinac Island on Memorial Day weekend May 26-28, 2016. Ken assumes the top position in

the state after serving in four other leadership positions during the past eight years, and his term began at the start of the new fraternal year on July 1, 2016. Immediate Past State Deputy Robert Fox has agreed to fill a seat on the SLC Community Advisory Council, effective immediately. Fr. Enzo Addari presented Bob and Sandra Fox a Papal Blessing during the Awards Ceremonies at the Convention. We wish Ken and Lady Ellie a productive and meaningful two years as State Deputy and 1st Lady of the Michigan Knights.

St. Joseph Catholic Parish’s “Country” Church in Webster Twp. north of Dexter was the site of a remarkable concert on Saturday, May 14th, as Michael Russell O’Brien arrived from Clearwater, FL to entertain a crowd of 300 people with his personal devotion to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and his faith conversion stories. Singing hymns such as “Here I Am Lord,” “Hail Mary/Gentle Woman” and “Hail Holy Queen,” the former rock performer entertained the crowd with his stories of faith and devotion following his visit to a holy shrine in Medjugorje, Bosnia over 25 years ago.

The concert was sponsored by St. Joseph Parish, the Dexter Knights of Columbus, and the Dexter Ladies

Auxiliary as a fundraiser for St. Louis Center. Rev. Brendan Walsh, Pastor of St. Joseph, was impressed with Mr. O’Brien’s visit and performance, stating, “It was a fine event, and Michael has a great conversion story for people to hear.” For more information about Michael Russell O’Brien, visit sacredtown.com.

Men’s Night Out

New State Deputy Takes Office

Concert Benefits St. Louis Center

Summer 2O16

The supporters of St. Louis Center were busy during the week of June 20th, as they attended back-to-back fundraising events in Ann Arbor, MI in support of our residents. The first event was the 22nd Annual Golf & Glory Outing held again this year at the University of Michigan Golf Course. One hundred-forty golfers filled the course, with several teams playing golf with well known sports celebrities thanks to the work of former Detroit Lion Tom Nowatzke, a member of the organizing committee. Former Detroit Lion’s great, Mike Lucci, received the John Panelli Celebrity Award and Ron and Rosie Emrick, of Emrick Investment Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, received the Bill Wagner Pioneer Award. Major event sponsors were also recognized during dinner. Mrs. Diane Buckley of Jackson was the winner of the Alaskan Cruise Raffle.

June 21st brought 50 supporters to Paesano’s Restaurant in Ann Arbor, where owners Mike and Bridget Roddy provided a beautiful Sicilian themed dinner in honor of Rev. Dr. William J. Turner, Pastor of St. Mary Parish in Chelsea. Fr. Bill was honored for his years of support of St. Louis Center and the Servants of Charity during his tenure as pastor of the local parish in Chelsea.

Receive Newsletter by Email If you would like to help us reduce our postage costs, send your email address to: kellyf@stlouiscenter.org and we will send the newsletter electronically.

Nearly forty people gathered on the morning of Friday, June 24, 2016 to witness members of the Servants of Charity community bless the grounds of a vacant field where construction of the new St. Louis Guanella Village will begin this fall. The special blessing was given by Most Rev. Fr. Soosai Rathinam, Provincial

Superior of the Divine Providence Province, who was visiting from India. The St. Louis Guanella Village will be a new community built on the grounds of St. Louis Center that will provide a full continuum of care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities of all ages. The Village will be built in phases, with construction on the first phase beginning in September. Fr. Soosai quoted Fr. Louis Guanella, saying, “We are offering this ground as a citadel of charity. We give thanks to our benefactors and ask the Lord to bless their families.” He then blessed the ground with Holy Water.

Fr. Enzo took a moment at the beginning of the outing to thank the celebrity athletes who volunteered to make the day memorable for our supporters.

Fr. Bill receives gifts as the honoree, including a special Sicilian wine presented by Denise Yekulis

and Mike Roddy.

Fr. Kulandaisamy, Fr. Visuwasam, Stephon, Fr. Soosai, Fr. Enzo, and Fr. Silvio begin the blessing ceremony.

Golf, Glory & More

The Blessing of a Village

St. Louis Spirit

Fr. Satheesh Alphonse, SdC., Director of the Pious Union of St. Joseph in Grass Lake, became a U.S. Citizen at Federal District Court in Detroit on June 3rd. Congratulations Fr. Satheesh!

On Friday, June 10, 2016, employees from the Chrysler Proving Grounds in Chelsea were on hand once again to help beautify St. Louis Center. The main entrance and business office hallways received a new coat of paint to brighten up our facilities. Special thanks to these great volunteers.

Each spring the residents participate in several organized walks and runs as part of the Fitness for Life program. The Cooper’s Fun Run is a special event for persons w/IDD. The Heart and Sole race raised funds for St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Behavioral Health Services.

Two St. Louis Center residents, Lanard W. and Josh I., celebrated their graduation success from the Young Adult Program at Chelsea High School and High Point on June 13, 2016. They received special gifts along with cake and ice cream with their friends.

Citizen Satheesh

Chyrsler Lends Some Hands

Cooper’s Fun Run

Heart & Sole

Graduation

Summer 2O16

St. Louis Spirit

ceremony on September 29, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. We are still going through the permitting process at several levels, and when we put shovels in the ground, we will begin to create the next generation of homes and amenities that will benefit our very deserving children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Stay tuned!

Administrator’s Message contiued from pg. 1 ... Several residents participatein the ‘Riding Tall’ program each summer. It is held at ariding stable in Grass Lake where they learn all aspects ofhorsemanship, including equine anatomy and techniques.

Each person learns how to handle their horse and mustchallenge themselves as they practice guiding their horse around the indoor course.

SAVE THE DATESt. Louis Guanella Village

Groundbreaking CeremonyWhere: St. Louis CenterWhen: Thursday, September 29, 2016 Schedule of Events: Hors d’oeuvres & Mixer 5:30-6:15 Program to begin at 6:15 with Ground Breaking at 7:00 p.m. Please RSVP by Thursday, September 15th to 734-475-8430 or by emailing Peggy Cole at peggyc@stlouiscenter.org

Riding Tall

Rendering of St. Louis Guanella Village Children’s home.

Summer 2O16

Caitlin Blomquist, Fitness Specialist with the Fitness for Life program, planned a Fourth of July parade for all of the participants of St. Louis Center. Sarah played the recorder as everyone marched around the Special Needs Playground and the kickball field.

Fourth of July Parade

16195 Old U.S. 12 Chelsea, MI 48118

Upcoming EventsDad & Lad Golf Outing

August 3, 2016Lansing Lugnut’s Game

August 5, 20164th Annual Car Show September 18, 2016

Taste of ChelseaOctober 8, 2016

Fall Dinner and AuctionNovember 12, 2016

For more information, please visit our website:

www.stlouiscenter.org

Non Profit OrgUS Postage PaidPermit No. 22Chelsea MI

Andrew A. Shmina, ChairNancy Graebner, Vice-Chair

Larry Doll, Secretary

Julie BallowDaniel Burch Robert Fox

Paul FrisingerDonna Hrozencik, MD

Daniel JohnsonWillard JohnsonGeorge MallisonKathi NeumanNorm NeumanTom Nowatzke

Don WalkerKenneth Unterbrink(MI State Deputy, KofC)

Maria Jesi (Fr. Satheesh’s mother)

George CauvinAntonia DeAngelisGuiseppina Fabilli

John Hammerschmidt Robert Humann

Ernest Iafrate

Shirley KeezerJames Kress

Sandra KuleszaErvin McDonaldLee McEachernBill MerrimanSusan Miller

Millie Robertson

Leo SauersJeffrey SaveryRose Savka

Marino SoaveJacob Stoker

Delia Maria VazquezEdward WeymanLawrence Wudyka

In Memory of our Friends

St. Louis Center Community

Advisory Council

Bill Merriman and Leo Sauers - Cardinal O’Hara Assembly During the past three months, the Cardinal O’Hara Assembly of the Knights of Columbus lost two 4th Degree members who often participated in many events in support of St. Louis Center. Both Bill Merriman of Manchester Council #4354 and Leo Sauers of Chelsea Council #3092 were active supporters of St. Louis Center and will be greatly missed. May they rest in peace.

Bill MerrimanLeo Sauers