Saint Joseph Villa celebrates a Mass of Thanksgiving

Intermountain Catholic

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Yvonne, a resident at St. Joseph Villa, thanks Bishop Wester for his blessing and spiritual words.

SALT LAKE CITY — The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at Saint Joseph Villa Aug. 8, with Father Anastasius Iwuoha, St. Joseph Villa chaplain; Father Martin Diaz, pastor of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus Parish in Midvale; and retired Monsignor Rudolph Daz, now a resident of the Villa. Deacon Otto Johansson assisted at the altar.

The Mass was to inform the greater Catholic community that a Catholic environment still exists at the Villa since it was purchased in February by Ensign Group, Inc., a California-based for-profit company, and since the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who founded the Villa in 1947, returned to their motherhouse in Texas.

Ensign Chief Executive Officer Matt Church said becoming a part of the community has been an amazing journey. "I am grateful for the service we perform every day taking care of your family members and being a part of your lives," he said. "We are grateful to work with the Catholic Church and thank Father Anastasius for his service."

Whether the residents are Catholic or of other faiths, their spiritual needs are important, Church said, adding he is also grateful for the volunteers and all they do for the residents.

"We are happy with Ensign and their philosophy of caring for the whole person: physical, spiritual, psychological and relational," Bishop Wester said. "We thank the residents, who mean a lot to us. Your support, prayers, love and encouragement mean a lot to us, even though sometimes it seems like no one cares. We need your wisdom, passion, presence and your prayers. And we thank Fr. Anastasius for his ministry."

"I am filled with joy for the presence of the bishop here today," said Fr. Anastasius. "Matt has let me know how much regard he has for the bishop and I thank him for his support. When Christus sold the Villa to Ensign, people were afraid there wouldn't be a Catholic presence, but thanks to Matt and his spiritual care, we can continue."

Under the direction of Fr. Anastasius, a spiritual support committee was formed in May to maintain the Catholic environment at the Villa.

"The support of our ministry is essential for us to maintain the Catholic tradition at St. Joseph Villa," Fr. Anastasius said. "Mass is a comfort for the residents. It is spiritually uplifting and fulfilling and a very important part of their day, and we need additional help."

The spiritual committee is seeking individuals from parishes along the Wasatch Front to help as extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, in distributing communion to residents who cannot attend Mass, especially on weekends; in transporting the residents to Mass; as lectors; musicians; visitation of residents and/or compassionate care and sick calls. They also set up the chapel for special celebrations such as Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. Fr. Anastasius oversees the training of the volunteers for this ministry.

"Many times after receiving communion in their rooms the residents will say, ‘I'll be fine the rest of the day now, thank you,'" said Mindy DeHerrera, St. Joseph Villa spiritual support committee co-chair. "Often they don't have a lot of relatives visit them and we are all they see."

Community members are invited to attend the daily Mass at the Villa at 11:30 a.m., to pray the rosary daily at 3:30 p.m., and also consider placing loved ones at the Villa, said Joan Mirka, spiritual support committee chairwoman.

If you are able to assist the spiritual support committee, call Joan Mirka at 801-840-1553. St. Joseph Villa is located at 451 Bishop Federal Lane, Salt Lake City.