THE GARDENS OF ST. FRANCIS, a CHI Living Community located in Oregon, Ohio, has a strong Catholic heritage and, in keeping with the community’s mission of “making the healing presence of God known in our world,” places a high priority on meeting residents’ spiritual needs. This emphasis on the spiritual holds true whether residents are Catholic or belong to a different denomination.
Recognizing the importance of promoting the spiritual growth of non-Catholic residents, The Gardens of St. Francis recently partnered with Pastor Julie Beitelschees of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Oregon to offer a monthly ecumenical prayer service that welcomes all residents, regardless of their denomination. This partnership has since opened the door to further collaboration and mutual support that benefits both organizations.
Pastor Julie explains how this relationship developed: “Two of my members live at The Gardens of St. Francis, and when I was there visiting them, I had the opportunity to meet their Activities Director, Rosanne Kalinowski. While we were talking, I asked her what they offer in terms of worship for non-Catholics. She said that’s something they’re working on and asked if I would be willing to help. So, for about the past six months, I’ve been leading a worship service there on the third Thursday of every month for anyone who wants to come.”
In addition to leading monthly ecumenical worship, Pastor Julie now distributes communion at The Gardens of St. Francis, and she took part in the community’s annual Christian Unity Service, which was resumed this past January after a few-year hiatus due to COVID. “Pastor Julie’s participation in this important service highlights the fact that we’re all united in Christ,” Kalinowski states.
And Pastor Julie isn’t the only representative of St. Paul’s Episcopal who helps out at The Gardens of St. Francis. Musician Mary Mortemore also comes to the facility on various days to play piano and lead residents in song.
Grateful for the support they receive from St. Paul’s, The Gardens of St. Francis began looking for ways to reciprocate. They found a good opportunity to do just that when they connected that February is National Canned Food Month with the fact that St. Paul’s has a very active monthly drive-through food pantry. Throughout February, The Gardens held a food drive and raised funds to help St. Paul’s buy essential hygiene products for the pantry, which serves about 100 families per month.
“Our Activity Department often finds ways for residents to reach out to benefit the community and the world,” Kalinowski says. “For example, we’ve helped raise money for the Lucas County Pit Crew as well as for an initiative to save sea turtles. Because Pastor Julie helps us so much and St. Paul’s is located so close by, it only made sense to assist her with the food drive. It’s a great opportunity for our residents to make a difference and increase their awareness of what’s going on in the wider community.”
Both Pastor Julie and Kalinowski are grateful for the mutual support that has developed—and continues to grow—between their organizations. Pastor Julie comments, “I feel very blessed to be at The Gardens of St. Francis and feel it’s going to be a growing partnership. I have a heart for ministry to the elderly, and I love the fact that they’re trying to connect their residents and staff to something outside their walls. I hope to be joined by other protestant preachers who have members there. It’s a great way to connect.”
Kalinowski has similar sentiments: “It’s a mission we share to help each other,” she says. “Things can’t always be accomplished alone. Sometimes you need to team up and be involved in the mission of caring for each other, the community, and the world.”
