Welcome (back) to Sister Rose Hoye!  Sister Rose served for 12 years on the Leadership Team in London for the Congregation of the Sisters of Nazareth, but is back in California now as the American Superior for the 4 California houses (San Rafael, Fresno, Los Angeles, San Diego) and the school (San Diego).  She will work closely with Barbara Anne Crowley, our Area CEO, in securing and continuing the mission and ministries of the Sisters of Nazareth in America. Sister Rose was at Nazareth House San Rafael from 2000-2006.  During that time, the Auxiliary, Sisters and staff raised funds for our bocce Court, gazebo, and front lawn paths.  She was part of the last renovation of the Care Center, carpeting and painting of the residential wings, installation of new dining furniture, and the painting of the murals. 

She remembers fondly the outings to Deer Park Villa, the July 4 and Labor Day picnics, and the joy of everyday life in San Rafael.  “This house is one of the happiest places I lived.  It’s the sense of home here – I love the people and the community, and I always feel grounded here.” We hope to see her regularly here in San Rafael, gracing us with her presence and wisdom, teaching and practicing Servant Leadership, and helping to guide our 2019-2020 house renovations. 

The roof is nearly complete, and exterior painting is underway. One visitor remarked “it looks like a country cottage, showing off all the flowers beautifully!”. We agree. The Care Center the first phase of internal renovation, with a new kitchen and living room taking shape.

After 57 years on our lovely grounds in Terra Linda, our well-loved building is showing some signs of being TOO well-loved!  We are replacing the roof, updating carpeting and furniture, and painting the hallways. The Care Center will have an expansion of the activity areas and other improvements. A lovely color scheme has been selected; samples will be on view in the front parlor soon.  We are looking forward to the upgrade and will keep you posted about the progress.

From Bach to the Beatles, the orchestral compositions played by the Mill Valley Middle School chamber orchestra wowed the audience at Nazareth House. The award winning group, led by Director Phoebe Dong, delighted us all with their musicality and professionalism. A big thank you to the Director, musicians, and parents who made the concert possible.

Religious statues abound at Nazareth House, and we are pleased to share photos of them as our annual Christmas cards. The 2017 and 2018 photos are shown in this post.

They saved their pennies and spare change for a year, feeding the piggy bank until bursting. They collected $500, and a match from the Sisters brought the amount to $1,000!  During a recent Resident Council meeting, with pride, they presented a check to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society.  Shown here are our Chaplain Rev. Robert Kevin White happily handing over the donation to Peter Gallagher, Board Member St. Vincent de Paul.  We are proud of our residents for their kindness and generosity.

Our bi-monthly birthday celebration in August was lively with Dave Marty on banjo playing lots of familiar tunes.  Dave is an inductee in the American Banjo Museum Hall of Fame, and when you hear him play, you know why!  Thanks to Dave and to the gracious Nazareth House Auxiliary birthday committee volunteers who decorated beautifully and served a most delicious fresh fruit cake!  You can hear Dave at this site:

http://www.americanbanjomuseum.com/blog/dave-marty

 

Nazareth House was recognized  by the Marin Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America for the proper display of the American Flag.  Anna Nguyen, Executive Director, attended the MOA luncheon and accepted the award.  Thank you to neighbor Bill Wickley for nominating us, and Donald Bibeault for presenting the award.  It has been our pleasure to fly the colors for 55 years!  

Don Miller and Dan Keegan – Super Volunteers – were honored for their decades of service to Nazareth House by our Auxiliary.  From driving residents to doctor appointments to musical entertainment to faithful mail delivery, Don and Dan do it all and are a integral part of the fabric of everyday life here at Nazareth House.  Given in the name of a past dynamic volunteer, Kathy Baker, the award is well deserved!  Thank you for your service!