Saturday, June 21, 2014 was a bright, sunny, and joyous day as St. Joseph Nursing Home in Lacon, Illinois, a not-for-profit Catholic nursing home that was the first Roman Catholic nursing home in the Peoria Diocese (currently the only Catholic nursing home in the entire diocese of Peoria) celebrated its 50th Anniversary.
The Daughters of St. Francis of Assisi, an order of nuns that traveled from Slovakia to the United States with only $20 and a mission to serve the sick, poor, and abandoned, founded the nursing home in Lacon and still manages the facility today.
The Sisters, nursing home staff, residents, friends, and supporters of the nursing home commemorated this milestone with a Mass of Thanksgiving celebrated by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C., D.D., of the Peoria Diocese who was joined by clergy from the Diocese, area parishes and nearby Benedictine Monastery. After the mass, a light lunch was served outdoors for the residents and their families, while the Sisters entertained the Bishop, priests and other special guests at a small community center down the street. The General Superior, M. M. Gerarda Farska of Slovakia and the Regional Superior of the Congregation, Sister M. Loretta Matas greeted the guests and thanked them all warmly for attending and for all of their support over the past 50 years. Chicago District President, Mary Therese Tylus, served as Master of Ceremonies at the luncheon with the Bishop. Also in attendance from the Chicago District were Lydia Berry, S485 Financial Secretary/Treasurer and both she and Mary Therese brought warm wishes and congratulations from the various Chicago Branches and District.
L-R: FCSLA Chicago District President, Mary Therese Tylus, presenting donation on behalf of the District to Sr. M. Loretta Matas, Regiona Superior of the Congregation, Lydia Berry (S485 Financial Secretary/Treasurer) and General Superior, M. M. Gerarda Farskia from Slovakia.
