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by Brad Heidrick
Two thousand years ago, Jesus came to the earth to heal.
What he established has been carried out by great saints and the church — and at Catholic Community Health, we see ourselves as an extension of this mission, offering care and healing to the elderly, infirm, sick and dying. Amazingly, Catholic Community Health will celebrate 80 years of continual service this year!
In 1945, Bishop Paul Schulte had a vision for a Catholic home for the elderly, where those with meager resources could be cared for in mind, body and soul — and Mount St. Joseph was established. For decades, the Sisters of Charity dutifully served as caregivers for those in need. In 1994, the home moved to Olathe and was renamed Villa St. Francis.
Christ is at the heart of all that we do, reflected beautifully by the fact that the Blessed Sacrament is always present in our chapel, located in the heart of our building. Our ministry flows from this place — watching as Father Karl, our full-time chaplain, brings holy Communion to the residents who are not physically capable of coming to Mass.
Our nurse-Sisters begin their shift here each day, praying before they offer care to the residents. It’s a powerful reminder of the source of this ministry, and I believe it is the reason for its longevity.
Just as Bishop Schulte saw a need for Villa St. Francis, Archbishop James P. Keleher saw a need to expand these critical end-of-life services and led the way to create Catholic Hospice & Home Care.
Thousands of individuals and families have taken advantage of this opportunity, and I certainly rest easy knowing that a Catholic option exists, whenever the time comes for myself or for a loved one to need hospice care.
In 2022, under the leadership of Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann, these ministries were combined to form Catholic Community Health. Under this new united banner, we’ve been able to offer a full continuum of senior care throughout the Kansas City area, and we’re proudly the only Catholic hospice available.
We’re blessed with two full-time deacon chaplains who can bring Communion, prayer and the love of Christ to all those whom we’re blessed to serve.
As we reach this milestone, join me in offering a prayer of thanks for those who have made it possible for these eight decades, and for those who will continue to make it possible long into the future.