AgingIn NOLA

MISSION STATEMENT RespondingtothecalloftheGospel,ChristopherHomes,Inc.strivestoprovidedecent,affordablehousingtovulnerablemembersofourcommunity. AllwhoareassociatedwithChristopherHomes, Inc.havetherighttorespect,dignityand a sense of well being. Therefore, through the service and commitment of our staffandvolunteers,wewillenableour residents togrowspiritually, socially,and intellectually,empoweringthemtodeveloptheiroptimalpotential. ChristopherHomesisaseniorlivingministryoftheArchdioceseofNewOrleans.

AgingIn NOLA

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 FocusingonEmotional WellnessDuringtheHolidays

3 iGiveCatholic

Congratulations

2018LeadershipAcademy Fellows

4 ThanksgivingCelebrations

HalloweenCelebrations

GreatJob!

NazarethInnTailgate

5 CrochetingforBabies

6 CHIParticipatesinLocalAlzheimer’sAwarenessEvents

WelcomeAboard

EmployeeoftheMonth

7 CatholicCemeteries

8 FromtheDeacon’sDesk

December 2018

In just a few weeks Christopher Homes

was able to raise for

$121,944 with 68 donors!

Thank you to all who donated. Your donations are very special to our Christopher Homes residents.

2

Healthhabitsbroughttoyouby

FOCUSING ON EMOTIONAL WELLNESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Weallfeeldown-in-the-dumpsorsadsometimes.Thosefeelingsmaylastafewdays,andsomemayevensaytheyfeel“depressed.”Usuallywecanliftourspiritsbydoingthingsweenjoyorspendingtimewithsomeonewecareabout.

Depression,ontheotherhand,isamedicalcondition.It causes continued sadness that affects your dailylife. These feelings can get worse during the holidays.Depressionishighlytreatable,butmanypeoplewiththeconditiondon’tseekhelp.

Emotionalwellnessiskeytostayinghealthy.Whenyoufeelworriedordownheartedforlongperiodsoftime,thewholebodysuffers.Therearemanysignsofdepression,and each person can feel them differently. You may bedealingwithdepressionifyouhaveseveralofthefollowingsymptomsfortwoweeksormore:

•Feelingsad,hopeless,tired,irritableorrestless

•Havinglessinterestinfavoriteactivities

•Withdrawingfromsocialactivities

•Overeatingorlosingappetite

•Sleepingtoolittleortoomuch

•Havingtroublefocusingormakingdecisions

•Havingrepeatedthoughtsofsuicideordeath

Depression can affect anyone, but you canget ahead of it by telling your doctor about anyfeelingsorconcerns.Yourdoctorcanhelpyoufindwaystomanagedepressionandgetbacktolivingyourlife.

Also,followChristopherHomeson:

Facebook:@christopherhomesano

Twitter:@chi_archno

Instagram:@christopherhomesinc

TofollowtheHealthHabitsblogonlineheadtowww.christopherhomes.org.

You’llfindthisarticleaswellasprevioushealth-relatedarticles.

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Thesearethetopthreeforfundraisingforthe2018#iGiveCatholic

1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place St. Martin Manor Villa St. Maurice St. Bernard Manor

toallofourdonors!AutomaticAccessSolutions

AccessLock&SecurityFaiaConstruction

TheSatelliteCenterIMCConsultingEngineers

ColemanPartnersArchitectsLakesideHospice

SeasideBehavioralHealthcareHeritageElectrical

ParamountPestManagementSafewaySecurityAgencyAssociatedWaterproofing

Bill&JuliaSoniatCortBoltman

CharlieFontenelleJoeyZuppardo

DaveWaltemathDebraStepterRuthAdams

DeaconDennisAdamsRickRedmann

iGIVECATHOLIC

CONGRATULATIONS 2018 LEADERSHIP ACADEMY FELLOWS

ExecutiveDirector,DeaconDennisAdamsreceivedacommunitypartnerawardthroughGivingHope.

ThroughapartnershipwithChristopherHomes,GivingHopeprovidesmealstooursomeofourresidentsatnocosttothem.

Aselectgroupofparticipantsmetthroughouttheyeartoexplorediverseperspectivesfromagingservicesleaders,learnfrominnovativecareandservicemodels,enhancetheirleadershipskillsandcorecompetenciesandadvanceperson-centeredprogramminginagingservices.CongratulationstoourveryownMarieLetellier,CommunityManageratMetairieManorforbeingapartofthe2018Fellows.Partofthisexperienceisidentifyingagapthatexistintheseniorsectorandtoshowcasethisinavideoforinvitedgueststoview.Marie’svideofilmedresidentsatMetairieManorandtheimportanceoftouchandengagementamongthestaffandtheresidents.

Allofourpropertiesparticipatedinthisyear’s#iGiveCatholic

onGivingTuesday,November27th.

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THANKSGIVING CELEBRATIONS

SeveralChristopherHomespropertiesgotintotheHalloweenspiritattheendofOctoberbyhavingparties.RouquetteLodgehostedpre-schoolersfromMaryQueenofPeacefortrick-or-treating,thenlaterinthedayhadapartyforresidentsandstaff. Wynhoven also celebrated Halloween. They had apartycompletewithaDJandsomegreatfood.

ManyChristopherHomesresidentsgatheredforlunchesanddinnerstocelebratetheholiday.

St. Bernard Manor’sThanksgiving dinner wascelebrated on November27th. Residents and staffwere treated to all thefixings.

And at AnnunciationInn residents also enjoyed aThanksgivingfeast.Residentsat Annunciation Inn hada great time dancing andreceiving Turkey giveawaysfromBeaconLightMinistries.Theresidentswereextremelygrateful for staff and theTurkeystheyreceived.

Thanksgiving Celebration 2018 at ST. JohnBerchmans was very nice. Residents came outto celebrate a time to give thanks to GOD. Theyalso received Turkey giveaways at the end of thecelebration.ComplimentsofBeaconLightMinistries.

Aneventwasheldbytheresident council at MaterDolorosa on November 15th.Turkeywasservedwithallthefixingsanddessert.Anentireturkey was also donated toOzanamInnbytheresidentsofMaterDolorosa.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS

Here’sa“congratulations”tothestaffofChristopherInn.ChristopherInnreceivedanAboveAverageratingfortheirHUD,ManagementandOccupancyReviewconductedin September, 2018. Christopher Inn received an aboveaverage rating in six categories, General Appearance &Security, Follow-Up Project Inspection, Maintenance/Operating Procedures, Leasing & Occupancy, Tenant/ManagementRelations&OverallRating.TotheCommunityManagerandteamatChristopherInn,weareproudofyou.

Back row left to right: Ryan Funches, Leydi Rodriguez,JeromeDillingFrontrowlefttoright:DionneCollins,MildredFlorent,MaryMarks,DeaconGraylinMiller

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CROCHETING FOR BABIES

AgroupofcrochetingwomenhassprungupatRouquetteLodge.Thewomenmeetupjustabouteverydaytocreatewarmworksofart. Pam Marshall, the woman leading the charge, says that she’s beencrochetingsinceshewasabout8yearsold. Thewomengather incommunityspacesattheMandevillepropertytomakeblanketsandhats.Someof thematerialsaredonated to thegroupand others are purchased by the women themselves. “We are acceptingdonations,”saysPam. Someinthegrouparemoreexperiencedthanothers,buttheyallagreethatcreatingsomethingforothersbrings“peace,joyandharmony.”PamMarshallsaysthat,“She’swillingtoteachanyonewhowantstojoin.”Othersinthegroupchimedinthatshe’sagreatinstructor. Fingersturnthepastelpiecesofoffabricintomeaningfulitemsthatwillkeepnewbornbabieswarm.TheyaredonatedtotheNorthlakepregnancycrisiscenteraswellasSt.TammanyParishHospital.Theitemsareallwashedandsterilizedbeforebeinggivenout.

NAZARETH INN TAILGATE Even though the New Orleans Saints lost to theDallasCowboysonNovember29th,sometrueSaintsfansturnedoutforatailgateatNazarethInn.

GREAT JOB!

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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

DeniseBatisteActivityCoordinator,

Wynhoven

WELCOME ABOARD

CHI Employee3 Years

“IlikethewayresidentsrespondtotheeventsIgiveforthem.”

-DeniseBatiste

OutsideofWork:Deniseenjoysbeinginherbackyardhavingagirlsnight.

FavoriteFood:SmotheredOkra&BoiledCrawfish

CHI PARTICIPATES IN LOCAL ALZHEIMER’S AWARENESS EVENTS

MembersfromseveralChristopherHomespropertiesparticipatedinwalkstoendAlzheimer’sdisease.ThewalkshappenedonNovember3rdandonNovember10thonbothsidesofthelake.WewanttothanksalloftheChristopherHomesstaffandresidentswhosupportedthisworthwhilecause.

Wynhovenhastwonewemployees.Bothstarted10/29/2018

NicholRobertson RodneyHebertRecertificationClerk Receptionist/Secretary

SpotlightonSuccess—December2018

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ALL SAINTS DAY — MEMORY CHRISTMAS TREES

Providedby

AllSaintsDayblessingsinNewOrleansCatholic Cemeteries and families visitingtheir loved one’s grave are long standingtraditions in New Orleans. Every yearmany families show their dedication andlovebycleaning theirgravesandplacingflowers. ThisyearsevereweatherwarningsledustomoveAllSaintsDaymassfromoutsideat St. Louis Cemetery #3 to inside OurLadyoftheRosaryChurch.ArchbishopAymond celebrated the annual All SaintsDaymassassistedbyFr.JonathanHemelt,pastorofOurLadyoftheRosaryChurch.Fortunately,theskiesclearedandeveryonewasabletoproceedaftermasstoSt.LouisCemetery for the blessing of the graves.ArchbishopAymondwalkedtheentire3/4

ofamilecemeteryblessinggravesandpausingwherefamilymembersstoodorkneltbeforetheirtombs. NextyeartheannualAllSaintsDaymasswillbecelebratedatStRochCemeteryinthenewlyrenovatedSt.RochChapel. WithChristmasfastapproaching,startingDecember1st,therewillbetwoInMemoryChristmastrees–oneatSt.LouisCemetery#3onEsplanadeAvenue and one at St. Patrick Cemetery #3 on City Park Avenue.Complimentaryornamentsareavailabletowriteyourlovedone’snameon.Formoreinformationonanyeventsorservices,pleasecall504-596-3050

FROM THE DEACON’S DESK

DearResidentsandStaff,

“Avoiceproclaims:InthewildernesspreparethewayoftheLord!Makestraightinthe

wastelandahighwayforourGod”(Is40:3)

HowwellweknowthemeaningofpreparationinNewOrleans.AsweenterthisAdvent

season,wesayagratefulfarewelltothehurricaneseason.Wecontinueprayersforthe

FloridapanhandleandtheCarolinasastheycontinuetheirrecovery.Preparationmust

remainapartofourlife.

AsChristianswearecalledtoaspecificformofpreparationduringAdvent,thatfour-weekliturgical

seasonwesetasidetoprepareourselvesforChristmaswhenChrist’sfirstcomingtousisremembered.

AdventisalsoaseasonwhenthatremembrancedirectsourmindandhearttoawaitHisSecondComing

attheendoftime.ChristalsocomestouseachdayandthroughthegiftsoftheHolySpiritstrengthens

ustofaceourdailychallenges.Adventisthusaperiodfordevoutandjoyfulexpectation.

TheverseaboveandthefollowingtwoversesfromthebeginningofChapter40oftheProphetIsaiah

givesafigurativedescriptionofthereturnoftheJewishexilesfromBabylontoJerusalem.TheLord

willleadthem,sotheirwaywillliestraightacrossthewildernessratherthanalongawell-wateredbut

circuitousrouteusuallyfollowedtoJerusalem.ItdenotesthetrustoftheJewishnationthatYahwehwill

provideaMessiahwhowillleadthembacktotheglorytheyonceknewasanation.

ItisnosmallwonderthenthateachoftheGospelsusethisversefromIsaiahattheirbeginningto

describetheproclamationofJohntheBaptistofthecomingoftheChrist;Matthew3:3,Mark1:3,Luke

3:4,andJohn1:23.TheEvangelistsarewritingtothefirstcenturyJewsandGentilesandtoeachofus

thattheLordwillcometoleadustothegloryofeternallifeifwebutfollowhimandabidebyhisteaching

inourdailylife.

TodayourAdventseasonhasbeencommandeeredbytheretailmerchandisingindustryasalong

Christmasbuyingseason.Atimetoconvinceusthatweneedtobuythelatestintoysforourchildrenor

grandchildren,thatweneedanewtelevisionorcellphoneorcomputer,orthatlastyear’sholidaydress

orsuitisnolongerstylishandweneednewclothes.Whilethereisnothingwrongwiththebusiness

ofmerchandisingandretailsales,whenitbecomes“thereasonfortheseason”andreplacesthetrue

meaningofthistimetoprepareforthecomingoftheMessiahintoourlivesandourneedtomakehim

theKingofourpersonaluniverse,weneedtotakeastepback.

InthewordsofourArchbishopGregoryAymondinhisrecentAdventReflections,“Thewholeideaof

gift-givingonChristmasbeganbecauseitisonChristmasthatwerememberthegreatestgiftthatGod

hasgivenus–hisSon.So,weexchangegiftswithtwomeanings:Whenwegiveagift,werememberthat

thegreatestgiftevergivenwasChristhimself,andweshareagiftwithothersoutofcharity.Gift-giving

alsosymbolizeswhatthethreeMagididforChrist,comingtohimbearingtheirgifts.So,webeargiftsto

thosewhomwecareabout.”

InNovember,ChristopherHomesandeachofourpropertiesparticipatedinthe#iGiveCatholic

campaign.Wecameinsecondplaceonthenationalleaderboardwithtotalfundsraisedofnearly

$122,000.Thisyear’snationaltotalforallparticipantswasover$5.6million.Thisisanexampleof

Christ-likecharityatitsbestandmanyneedswillbefilledasaresult.Icouldnotbemoreproudofour

ChristopherHomes’residentsandstaffforthegreatworkyoudidinthiscause.ThelightofChristshines

througheachofyou.

MaytheloveandblessingoftheChristchildbewithyouthisday,thisseason,

andthroughouttheyear!

WithGod’sBlessings,

DeaconDennisF.Adams

ExecutiveDirector,ChristopherHomes