St. Louis Spirit—— SPRING 2016——

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G I N O U R C O M M U N I T Y

We thank the Divine Providence of God for His many blessings because “It is God Who Works.” In particular, we are grateful for our many friends and family members who have supported us during the past six years and helped us prepare for the future by providing the capital funding needed to begin our next building project: the Autistic children’s homes in the St.

Louis Guanella Village. It is you, our benefactors, who are the true caretakers of our children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Many friends have been very generous during the Christmas season, and the Italian

American Club of Livonia did a phenomenal job of hosting the 21st Annual Dinner Dance on January 24, 2016. The eyes of Michigan

are on St. Louis Center right now as the Center helps lead the way in caring for people with special needs in a modern and compassionate way. In other news, we were proud to reunite another one of our boys from the Children’s Program with his family last month, and we hosted a staff member from the office of U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D – MI) on March 18th, setting up a possible visit from the Senator later this year.

16195 W. Old US Hwy. 12, Chelsea MI 48118 phone 734-475-8430 fax 734-475-0310 www.stlouiscenter.org

In 2010, St. Louis Center celebrated its 50th Anniversary and recalled its past successes and the many families and residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities that have been helped over the years. During that same year, SLC also recognized great challenges on the horizon and began to plan for the future. The St. Louis Guanella Village project is the culmination of years of planning.

Substantial changes began with the hiring of full-time Development Director Peggy Cole and a great

team of advisors who became members of the Legacy Campaign Committee. These talented people helped to create the Family Welcome Center (2011), the Special Needs Playground (2012-13), and Fr. Guanella Hall for Assisted Living (2014). Now it is time to move on to the next chapter: the exciting St. Louis Guanella Village project.

Local architect Marco Silveri defined the project through a series of architectural drawings that engineering firm Midwestern Consulting Inc. utilized to create a

Master Plan for the development. The Master Plan has gone before the Sylvan Planning Commission for Preliminary Site Plan Approval, and a Final Site Plan is expected to be approved by the Sylvan Township Board of Trustees soon. The goal in 2016 is to build the infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) and then start construct four children’s homes for occupancy in 2017. If all of these approvals are granted, we hope to break ground at the end of June. Updates will be available on our website www.stlouiscenter.org.

St. Louis Guanella Village

Administrator’s Message

St. Louis Spirit

The Italian American Club of Livonia held its 21st Annual “Guardian Angel” Dinner/Dance on Sunday, January 24, 2016. The event began with a Mass attended by 100 people and celebrated by Fr. Enzo Addari, SdC. Then 225 people gathered for the celebration to support the SLC transportation program. The fruit trays and desserts were provided by Bahama Breeze, Be My Bakery, Dunia Sweets, Heritage Bakery, Kilwins, Joe’s Produce, and the 20 “Cookie Ladies” from the Club.

Events included a silent auction, treasure chest raffle, gift raffle, and live dance music from the group “One Man Out.” The money raised will ensure that SLC

continues to provide safe, reliable transportation for the needs of our residents in 2016.

Former Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano of Livonia was the recipient of the St. Louis Guanella Humanitarian Award for his support of SLC and several other charitable organizations during his career. The Award is reflective of a community member who gives tirelessly to others through spirituality, charity, and selfless good works. At the close of the program, Cruise Planners and Azamara Club Cruises presented a check to Fr.

Enzo for $17,516, the profits from the “Dream Cruise” to Italy that took place in October 2015.

“Keep Calm and Prom On” was the theme of the Annual Spring Prom for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Thirty residents of St. Louis Center attended the event on Saturday, March 5, 2016

at Our Lady of Fatima in Michigan Center. Leslie Ungar, SLC Supervisor, had this to say, “Everyone had a blast from the minute they got there. The Knights of Columbus

Color Corps was there, everyone walked through their raised swords, and the dancing began as soon as the music started.”

On Saturday, March 5th, twenty-three members of the Cardinal O’Hara Assembly of the Knights of Columbus chose St. Louis Center as the location of their Third Annual Spiritual Retreat. The retreat was directed by Fr. Joseph Rinaldo. According to Doug Koepsell of Dexter, “The retreat left an indelible impression on me. In addition to experiencing a glimpse of life at the Center, the teachings of Fr. Joe Rinaldo were without comparison.”

Guardian Angels watch over St. Louis Center

Dancing the Night Away!!!

Knights Enjoy Spiritual Retreat

Spring 2O16

On April 6, 2016, Administration and staff of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea held a retirement party for St. Louis Center resident Julian Early. Julian had worked in the Food Service Department for the last 10 years.

The St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Board of Trustees presented Julian a beautiful plaque which stated:

The St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Board of Trustees would like to thank you for 10 years of dedicated service to the hospital’s food service department. It is very obvious to everyone that you love working at St Joseph Mercy Chelsea and the employees and staff are really going to miss you.

We hope you will be able to visit the hospital from time to time to catch up with your friends.

Julian’s co-workers, doctors, nurses and other staff were present at the party, giving gifts to Julian and

expressing their love and gratitude for him. Nancy Graebner, President & CEO of St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea and Vice Chair of SLC’s Community Advisory Council, added this, “It was a joy having Julian at our hospital as an employee, and it was clear from all of the tears today that he was loved by everyone he came into contact with.” Julian was happy to see all of his friends there and appreciates the hospital staff and administration for the wonderful farewell party they gave him.

Receive Newsletter by Email If you would like to help us reduce our postage costs, send your email address to: kellyf@stlouiscenter.org and we will send the newsletter electronically.

On Wednesday, March 9, 2016, the Leadership Class of Chelsea’s Beach Middle School presented a mock check to St. Louis Center representing a total of $1,008. The students raised the money this year as a class project during their current trimester. According to teacher Kathryn McCalla, “We ran four different crazy events at the school, and all of our kids participated. It was a great educational experience for everyone involved, and taught the value of charity.”

Julian is surrounded by some of his friends at St. Joseph Mercy – Chelsea.

St. Joseph Mercy – Chelsea CEO Nancy Graebner congratulates Julian on his last

day.

Julian Retires

Chelsea Youth Fundraising

St. Louis Spirit

On Friday, March 18, 2016, St. Louis Center welcomed representatives from United States Senator Gary Peter’s office in Detroit for a discussion on political issues involving the care of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Regional Representative Chris Matus and staffer Jason Muskovitz were laying the groundwork for a future visit by Senator Peters in 2016.

To end Lent on a joyful note, the seventh grade class from Spiritus Sanctus Academy in Ann Arbor came to St. Louis Center to assist the residents during their fitness class on March 21st. Everyone had a great time. Caitlin Blomquist, Fitness Specialist, looks forward to their next visit in May.

Thanks to Detroit Piston’s play-by-play announcer George Blaha, twenty-three residents from St. Louis Center had the privilege of attending a Detroit Pistons basketball game against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, March 23, 2016. At the end of the game, SLC residents went onto the court with staff to meet with Mr. Blaha and his color commentator Greg Kelser. Although it’s a long trip to the Palace of Auburn Hills from Chelsea, this was the “trip of the year” for many of our residents who love basketball and their favorite team, the Detroit Pistons.

Senator’s Office Offers SupportFitness and Fun

Pistons Game a Win for St. Louis Center

Spring 2O16

Michael Russell O’Brien Catholic ConcertA musical event for the whole family with proceeds benefitting St. Louis Center!

D e ta i l sDate: Saturday, May 14, 2016Tickets: $10 eachLocation: St. Joseph Parish,

Country Church 6805 Mast Rd, Dexter, MI 48130

T i c k e t s Ava i l a b l e at: St. Joseph Parish - 734-426-8483St. Louis Center - 734-475-8430

Catholic Shoppe, Jackson - 517-783-3145Our Lady of Grace Bookstore, Ann Arbor - 734-930-3747

S C H E D U L E5:00pm Mass 7:00pm Doors Open

for Concert 7:30pm Concert 9:00pm Autographs,

photos & CD sales

Discover the beauty and grandeur of Alaska on a Royal Caribbean land and sea vacation. Enjoy Alaska’s two greates sights - Glacier Bay National Park on your cruise and the magnificent Denali National Park on your land tour.

Win an Alaska Cruise & Land Tour 7-Day Inside Passage Cruise Plus 3-Day Land Tour for 2 People

Airfare Included

Raffle Tickets are $25 each or 5/$100Proceeds directly benefit the residents of St. Louis Center, a registered 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation

Drawing to be held on

June 20, 2016at the

Golf & Glory Outing to be held at the

University of Michigan Golf CourseAnn Arbor MI

(need not be present to win)

Ticket Order form And Golf Registration On Next PagePhotos are based on the raffle prize of a Royal Caribbean Cruise. Raffle winner has the option to take $7500 cash.

St. Louis Spirit

Spring 2O16

One in sixty-eight children have Autism. One is mine. April is Autism Awareness Month, and there is no better time to pause and reflect on my personal journey with this complicated, widely misunderstood disorder.

My son, Max, was diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder more than six years ago. I will never forget that moment sitting in the exam room at Dayton Children’s when the doctor re-entered the room after a lengthy, grueling exam. That doctor didn’t even have to say a word. I burst into tears the second she looked at me. She was just confirming what I already knew. But to hear those words a few seconds later, “Your son has autism.” My life was forever changed in that single moment. Here are some of the many life lessons autism has taught me so far. I hope to share these lessons with others who share this journey. Lesson 1: Know that life isn’t always fair

It’s heartbreaking to watch your child struggle. If you’ve never had to experience this feeling, count your blessings! When my husband and I began our journey as autism parents, every single thing felt like a battle, from making simple everyday choices without meltdowns to sensory overload just about everywhere we went. Max was overwhelmed, I was overwhelmed. I was lost.Lesson 2: Update those life plans

I very quickly learned that life plans are meant to evolve. The cozy starter home that we have long outgrown just might be a keeper. Two children are way better than three. I may not be in the position at work I once dreamed of, but I couldn’t be happier with where I’ve landed.

Lesson 3: Realize that everything happens for a reasonAutism happened to Max and me for a reason. I

needed to realize my purpose. And that was to help this amazing little boy accomplish everything the world says he can’t. At the time of diagnosis, he had no voice. I had to be his voice.Lesson 4: Know when to ask for help

When there’s a problem you simply can’t solve, you have to find the people who can help you solve it. I’m so glad I learned this lesson early in our journey. I can be a little stubborn and try to do everything on my own sometimes. To me, asking for help was a weakness. But I’ve learned it’s the opposite. Lesson 5: Celebrate all of the small victories

The thing with autism I have found the most challenging is the great unknown. When you are faced with big questions and uncertainty every day, you really learn to appreciate the little moments and the small victories. The truth is you may not ever have the big victories you once dreamed of. Lesson 6: Love unconditionally, hope infinitely

With autism, patience is crucial…a positive outlook is essential…and there’s no better therapy than unconditional love. Lesson 7: Autism can be a blessing

Max taught me to spot that tiny ray of light in times of gloom. He’s taught me how to truly appreciate life’s little moments and simple joys. His smile can light up a room. His belly laugh is contagious. Motherhood has been life’s greatest gift. And in a strange way, the autism journey has been an unexpected blessing.

Michelle Fong is the lifestyles editor for the Dayton Daily News. Contact her at Michelle.Fong@Coxinc.com or @michellefong76 on Twitter. Reprinted with permission.

Seven Lessons I have Learned from Autismby Michelle Fong

16195 Old U.S. 12 Chelsea, MI 48118

Upcoming Events2nd Annual Men’s Social

April 21, 2016Michael Russell O’Brien Concert

May 14, 2016Golf & Glory Outing

June 20, 2016Paesano’s Dinner

June 21, 2016Toledo Mud Hen’s Game

July 15, 2016Memorial Golf Outing

July 16, 2016Joe’s Top Dog Outing

July 24, 2016Dad & Lad Golf Outing

August 3, 2016Lansing Lugnut’s Game

August 5, 20164th Annual Car Show September 18, 2016

For more information, please visit our website:

www.stlouiscenter.org

Non Profit OrgUS Postage PaidPermit No. 22Chelsea MI

Andrew A. Shmina, ChairNancy Graebner, Vice-Chair

Larry Doll, Secretary

Julie BallowDaniel Burch Paul Frisinger

Donna Hrozencik, MDDaniel JohnsonWillard JohnsonGeorge MallisonKathi NeumanNorm NeumanTom Nowatzke

Don WalkerRobert Fox

(MI State Deputy, KofC)

Judith BlackLucia Bommarito

Gino DiCarloRobert Fitzgerald

Jean FordRyan Leeth

Del MaloneyDonna McDonald

John Meyer

Jeannine RoznowskiTheodore Washington

Ray WeingartzRay Woodruff

Ray Weingartz Through the charitable influence of Raymond J. Weingartz, the Weingartz Family has assisted St. Louis Center for many years,

and for that we are truly grateful. Ray passed unto the Lord on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, and his funeral Mass was held on Saturday, February 27th at St. Isadore Catholic Church in Macomb, MI. Ray was a

good friend to St. Louis Center over the

years; visiting and supporting the Center in many different ways. From providing us with equipment at cost, to maintaining the equipment, to supporting the Golf & Glory Outing; Ray’s impact was significant. One of his final desires was to visit St. Louis Center to learn more about the new St. Louis Guanella Village. Ray leaves behind his wife of 57 years, Marie, along with six children and their spouses, 29 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. Ray’s generosity was extended to many Catholic non-profit organizations and the Catholic Church, and his infectious personality will be greatly missed. May the perpetual light of Christ shine upon him.

In Memory of our Friends

St. Louis Center Community

Advisory Council