 An
Ending - A New Beginning: La Verna Village Nursing Home and Apartments
"The test of a people is how it behaves toward the old. It is easy to love children. Even tyrants
and dictators make a point of being fond of children. But the affection and care for the old, the
incurable, the helpless, are true gold mines of a culture (Abraham Lincoln)."
For fifty years we have attempted to be "gold mines of a culture" in
the care of the elderly and infirm here in Savannah. Following the call by Bishop Cody of the Kansas City-St. Joseph
Diocese to open a nursing home for women "in their twilight years", we moved our
provincial house to Savannah to the former Dr. Nichols Cancer Sanatorium and opened La Verna Heights
Retirement Center in 1957. Due to increased numbers of people needing service, we
opened La Verna Village in 1974 and added an Alzheimer/Dementia Unit in 1996. In 1980 twenty
apartment units were build for independent seniors.
Our mission to provide compassionate care has touched many lives throughout these years,
residents, families, and our co-workers who so diligently worked to make a difference in our
residents' lives in their end of life journey. Our sisters along with our chaplain provided pastoral
care and continue to do so.
At this time of transition and sale to a new owner, Platinum Health Care, we offer a word of
gratitude to those who entrusted us with their loved ones throughout these years. We pray that
La Verna Village continues to be a "gold mine" for the people who are served there.
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FRANCISCAN MINISTRY IN RURAL
NORTHWEST MISSOURI
 Our religious community is supporting a new charitable organization called Northwest Missouri
Enterprise Facilitation by donating the proceeds of this year's quilt raffle. Why have we made
this commitment? We Sisters believe that it is an endeavor which is respectful of human dignity
and at the same time an appropriate and effective model of rural economic development based on
neighborliness and values and that it will help to revitalize our rural communities. Sisters
Kathleen, Christine, and Margaret are directly involved, having received training as members of
the Facilitation Board. Sr. Christine is secretary for the organization and both Sr. Kathleen and
Sr. Christine serve on the Board of Directors. Ginger Geeding, co-disciple, is also on the Board
of Directors. Juanita Gach, co-disciple, along with Barb Lindner and other LaVerna Guild
volunteers, agreed that the proceeds should be dedicated to this worthy organization and *went
the extra mile* in the creation of this year*s beautiful quilt, *Garden Enterprise*. What follows
in this article is a description of Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation, our new work of
Franciscan ministry.
Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation (NWMEF) was launched in 2006 to mobilize
community leadership in the six most northwestern counties in Missouri where local economies
have declined over the past ten years: Andrew, Atchison, Gentry, Holt, Nodaway and Worth. The
program's purpose is to promote economic and community revitalization by capturing the
passion and interest of local entrepreneurs using an innovative grass roots approach to economic
development, Enterprise Facilitation*. It was developed by economist, Dr. Ernesto Sirolli. Based on best practices, Northwest Missouri
Enterprise Facilitation offers a unique model for economic growth in unison with traditional
economic development models. We have adopted Sirolli*s model because it has a proven track
record in regard to success. The advantage of this model is that it works by providing a personal
coach to bring awareness to the client of the need for a balanced approach to the idea of business
start-up, coupled with the "helping hand" of the community-wide board of advice, feedback,
connections and resources tailored to meeting the needs of each client. Northwest Missouri
Enterprise Facilitation is controlled and managed at the grassroots level by a local Facilitation
Board comprised of over forty civic leaders, community professionals, and economic
development practitioners. This ensures the success of the rural business start-up or retention of a
business which is struggling.
Who receives facilitation? Any person who aspires to create or expand a business in one of the
six counties. The Enterprise Facilitator provides intensive, one-on-one assistance to the
entrepreneur, educating him or her in the "Trinity of
Management", a concept that teaches each entrepreneur how to put a successful business and a business team into place. The Facilitator
tests the personal motivation and skill of the client, and develops the client's capacity to assess
his/her own management strengths and weaknesses. Besides using the intelligence and resources
of the community-wide Board, the Facilitator also links clients to programs and resources offered
by economic development organizations and professionals. The service is free and confidential to
any local individual with an idea for starting or expanding a business. Thus far Northwest
Missouri Enterprise Facilitation has assisted eighteen entrepreneurs with facilitation.
For two years Northwest Missouri Enterprise Facilitation has worked to locate funding for this
program. NWMEF has been able to raise the operating expenses for the first year of the program
and is guided by a long range plan for sustainability of the project. Support has been solicited
from the six counties on a local level. Funds have been received from a number of charitable
organizations, corporations, and other private funders, including Catholic Charities and the
Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Individuals in the region have also contributed. As
we Sisters continue to commit our time and energies to this organization, we ask that our readers
would support us in prayer and by giving a donation via our quilt raffle. Thank you!
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QUILT RAFFLE 2007
Our wonderful "Quilt Ladies" of the LaVerna Guild have crafted another beautiful item. This
"Garden Enterprise" design is a refreshing blend: shades of rose, yellow and green blooming
with color to decorate some lucky person's bed.
Click image for a closer view...
Juanita Gach, (seen in the photo) led the stitchery effort. Special thanks to her, Barb Lindner, and
all who contributed to this beautiful creation.
Click image for a closer view...
Proceeds this year will benefit Northwest Missouri Enterprise
Facilitation, a rural ministry project. (See previous article.)
Drawing: August 21, 2007
Tickets may be purchased until this
time for a $1.00 donation per ticket.
You need not be present to win.
NOTE: No receipt is given for raffle ticket
donations.
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RECENT ACTIVITIES
Sr. Renee' takes her leave.
A party with friends who assisted with the liturgy of this year's Guilfoil Justice Day...
Another party which reaped a "monkey bank" full of blessings for the Andrew County Food
Pantry...
This year's Seder meal was a festive event.
Pentecost Sunday devotions...
NWMEF members pose with Andrew County Commissioners and gladly
accept their donation...
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