THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 44, NO. 26 | FEBRUARY 17, 2023
PHOTO BY JD BENNING
Shovels are at the ready as Villa St. Francis in Olathe breaks ground on improvements to the facility. From left are: Patrick Karanja, Villa’s director of nursing; Jackie Hollis, Villa’s chief operating officer; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann; Mary Bibler, Villa St. Francis and Catholic Community Health board co-chair; Scott Heady, Villa St. Francis and CCH board co-chair; Dan Himmelberg, archdiocesan construction and real estate consultant; and Daniel Keelin, Villa’s director of maintenance.
Breaking ground on a better Villa St. Francis By J.D. Benning Special to The Leaven
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LATHE — For 70 years, Villa St. Francis here has been providing top quality senior care to people in the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. On Feb. 7, led by Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, it broke ground to further improve its facilities and the care it provides. Money raised by the archdiocesan capital campaign One Faith, One Family, One Future in Christ are funding the start of the improvements, which include updates to the front exterior, new front and rear parking lots, an update of the HVAC system and a
I’M REALLY PROUD OF WHAT VILLA ST. FRANCIS HAS DONE THROUGH ITS HISTORY TO PROVIDE THE BEST CARE FOR ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. ARCHBISHOP JOSEPH F. NAUMANN
new rehabilitation wing. The new rehabilitation facilities will enable improved resident experience, creating additional private rooms as well as an
additional dining area. Extra funds are being raised to provide updates to other sections of the community, including hallways, resident rooms and common areas. “I’m really proud of what Villa St. Francis has done through its history to provide the best care for all of our residents,” said Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann at the groundbreaking blessing and ceremony. “What we’re embarking on today will improve the facility, and it will visualize for our residents just how important they are to us. We are glad that our church can provide this place and partner with families to help those that need the quality and extent of care that we offer here at Villa St. Francis.”
“We’re proud of our employees,” he continued, “and are especially grateful for the two religious communities that serve here. They bring a special quality to the care here and make the presence of Christ very real and visible to the residents.” The leadership team at Villa St. Francis is excited to get this process started. “This critical update will greatly improve our facilities and the care that we provide our residents,” said Jackie Longston, chief operating officer of Villa St. Francis. “Our mission is to provide personalized, resident-centered care. We are one of the only communities in the area that will accept residents regardless >> See “IMPROVEMENTS” on page 4
LENTEN REGULATIONS All Catholics 14 years of age and older are obliged to abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 22, and all the Fridays of Lent. Catholics 18 to 59 years of age are obliged to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday — a fast consisting of one normal meal and two lesser meals, with no eating in between. It is also recommended that Catholics find opportunities throughout the Lenten season to complement their fasts with prayer, reception of the sacraments of reconciliation and the Eucharist, and positive works of charity.