Our St. Francis Retirement Home – Hope for the Sick and Caregivers – March 2025

The St. Francis Retirement Home as a Place of Hope: For the Holy Year 2025, the Archbishop of Paderborn, Dr. Udo Markus Bentz, has named twelve Places of Hope in the archdiocese. In March, the theme is “Hope for the Sick and Caregivers.” Our St. Francis Retirement Home also represents such a place of hope. In this way, we would like to draw attention to the people involved in the care, support, and care of those in need of care. They all deserve special appreciation and respect, because through their actions, they are messengers of hope for residents and their families.

The loud laughter of the residents often testifies to the joy evoked by our offerings. The regular services in the beautiful chapel are also very popular, as are devotions in the residential areas, for example, to say goodbye to the deceased or for other occasions. Children and teachers from the kindergarten occasionally attend the services. It’s always a great joy to have the children with us.

A number of different festivals and celebrations take place throughout the year. The Easter market was held again this year, where many residents, relatives, staff, and guests were able to admire and purchase handmade items.

A total of eight people from our nursing home attended Holy Mass with the Archbishop at the end of March. Four of them were registered for the Anointing of the Sick and were among those who received the sacrament personally from the Archbishop. We also attended the subsequent reception with refreshments and had a very pleasant encounter with Archbishop Dr. Udo Markus Bentz at our table. In the conversation, which was at times humorous, but also at times deeply serious, the Archbishop showed himself to be very authentic, warm, open, and approachable. It was a wonderful experience for all of us, unforgettable and priceless.

Written by Sr. M. Anke Junker FCJM