Beginning in February, St. Pauls House will be the first private residential home in Chicago to provide pulmonary rehabilitation therapy.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the U.S.   St. Pauls House is addressing this epidemic by becoming certified to provide pulmonary rehabilitation.

All of St. Pauls House nursing staff is trained on proper rehabilitation and treatment techniques, and will work with PEL VIP Medical Staffing (pulmonary care professionals).  Patients who receive proper rehabilitation live longer, fuller lives.   It also reduces hospital re-admission rates and likelihood of developing additional pulmonary conditions.

In addition to now offering cutting-edge pulmonary rehabilitation, St Pauls House will also start offering smoking cessation support groups in the near future.

Everything we do is mission-driven – to empower vibrant, grace-filled living across all generations.  St. Pauls House is excited to offer this excellent, life-altering benefit to our residents and patients in need.

To welcome in the Christmas season, the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights is once again hosting an afternoon of extraordinary Christmas music. Churchjazz, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saint Luke in Chicago, will present “Bending Towards the Light, a Jazz Nativity” featuring some of Chicago’s most renowned artists of song, musical instruments and dance.

“Bending Towards the Light
a jazz nativity”

Saturday, December 3rd
2:00p.m.

Chapel of St. John the Beloved
on the campus of the
Lutheran Home,
a Lutheran Life Community

All are invited and welcome to attend and celebrate the miracle of Jesus’ birth with friends at the Lutheran Home on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The Jazz Nativity begins at 2:00 p.m. The performance is FREE – a free will offering will benefit the Lutheran Home.

by St. Pauls House volunteer, Pat Moir

My mom, Louise Dalton, became a resident at St. Pauls House in 1999; my aunt, Margaret Marsh, moved to St. Pauls House two years later.  My mom was a resident for nine years and my aunt for five years.

My family and I were immediately impressed with St. Pauls.  Of course the nursing care, meals, and scheduled activities were excellent, but we were most impressed with the level of devotion exhibited by the staff.  It was apparent that every St. Pauls resident was well-cared for by every staff member.  The building vibrated with the spirit of love and concern for each resident as well as their family members.

We always felt welcome at St. Pauls, and since I was the primary caregiver for both my mom and aunt, I felt as if I truly had a partner in St. Pauls.  I didn’t have to do it alone!  My mom and aunt were protected and their bodies and souls were nurtured by the extended family we found at St. Pauls.  I loved attending activities, parties, and special holiday events at St. Pauls.  The celebrations were always joyous, teaching me that life is meant to be lived fully at every stage.

After my mom and aunt died, I discovered that I missed St. Pauls House!  When I retired from full time work in June, 2011, I asked if I could volunteer at St. Pauls and was gratified to receive an enthusiastic “yes.” I look forward to each Wednesday—my fun day at St. Pauls! The residents and staff greet me each week with warmth, acceptance and love.  I am so grateful to be home.

It began with a vision from a founding pastor at St. Pauls Church in Chicago to build “a house where aged men and women could live together in quiet harmony and comfort, finding companionship and fellowship.” With land donated by two church members, the cornerstone was laid in 1920 and on November 13, 1921, St. Pauls House opened its doors.

This year, St. Pauls House, a Lutheran Life Community,  commemorates 90 years of rich history, devotion and compassion in a ministry of serving older adults.

Save the date for a special celebration – 
Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 3:00 p.m.
For more information call (773) 478-4222.

This summer, St. Pauls House has been happy to welcome Erin McCarthy as a pastoral intern.  Her intership has been made possible through St. Pauls House involvement in the Urban Clinical Pastoral Education Consortium  http://www.urbancpe.org/.

Erin has completed her first-year in the Masters of Divinity program at the University of Chicago.  She is originally from St. Charles, Missouri, and received her bachelor’s degree from Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she studied Religion and Psychology.  Erin grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition.  While she continues to identify with the Roman Catholic Church, she loves to explore different expressions of Christianity, spirituality and religion as well.

During these 10 weeks at St. Pauls House, she has spent time with residents individually, and in group settings.  Erin shares, “In my first month at St. Pauls House, I have already learned and experienced so much.  The people here are so kind and helpful – St. Paul’s House is truly an exceptional community.  I’m so lucky to be a part of it!”  Her focus has been pastoral care and developing her skills in working with seniors.  We are grateful for Erin and the gifts she is sharing with us.