I hope this summer has given you the opportunity to safely attend birthday parties, baptisms, weddings, graduations and picnics with friends and family. Many of us have waited quite a while to visit with our parents, grandparents and loved ones. 

My husband, daughter and I were finally able to safely spend time with his grandparents this summer. We are all fully vaccinated and were truly blessed to celebrate their 75th diamond wedding anniversary together. 

The love and devotion Nathaniel (Pops) and Dolores (Mems) have for each other and their family is infinite. Devotion is defined as love, loyalty or enthusiasm for a person, activity or cause.

Your devotion has also been evident through your kind and generous gifts to the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal. All of us, together, assist our ACA supported ministries with their good works as “One Faith, One Family.” 

Saint Joseph Living Center’s mission is to provide quality healthcare to residents in a spirit of compassion, love, and service, consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This ACA supported ministry was established in 1988 in charming Windham. The ministry offers short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing and end-of-life care. While the community is a Catholic faith-based healthcare facility, Saint Joseph Living Center admits residents of all backgrounds. 

For well over a year, residents and employees have fought this very difficult pandemic together. With COVID making it very hard for residents and family to be together, many caretakers at Saint Joseph found themselves taking on family-figure roles due to the restrictive visitor policy.

“The staff at St. Joseph Living Center put the needs of the residents before their own every day of the Covid pandemic,” Ginny Person, administrator of Saint Joseph Living Center, said. “It has certainly been a difficult journey, one that we are stronger for. We want to thank the residents’ families, our Board of Directors, and the community for their love and support.”

God bless the residents and the loyal and hard-working employees of Saint Joseph Living Center, and God bless you, our ACA supporters for helping our ministries fulfill the needs of others. 

We are so happy to finally gather safely with our loved ones and really appreciate those who have cared and been there for our family members during such a difficult time. Our ACA supported ministries are certainly blessed to receive your generous assistance. Your financial support of the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal along with your prayers continue to be extremely important to help all our ministries carry out their missions. 

To make a monetary contribution to our 2021 ACA “One Faith, One Family,” please go online to NorwichDioceseDevelopment.org or contact Heather Harris, Campaign Manager, at (860) 886-1928 ext. 111. Thank you so much for your generosity. Stay safe and be well.

By Gina Foster