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The Journey Home
We invite you to unite with us in our mission, to support us financially to the extent you are able, and to collaborate with us in the name of Jesus. Walk this new road with our Vincentian priests and brothers in their lifelong journey that has taken them from Perryville to every coastline in America, and across the seas to China and Africa.
Join us along a journey that leads home…to the Barrens.
Our Spiritual Home
The Church of the Assumption and the present Vincentian residence in Perryville are built on a place called the Barrens. It is not simply historic ground; it is holy ground. Here, prayers and sufferings are offered daily by the senior priests and brothers, just as they have for nearly 190 years.
The buildings where the retired priests and brothers resided dated back to 1850 and were never intended for this use. Renovating them for assisted living and nursing care would have been prohibitively expensive. In short, those buildings served their usefulness. Looking to the future, the Vincentians developed a master plan for St. Mary’s of the Barrens. The plan preserves the history and heritage of this reverential setting while providing an appropriate home for seniors as well as active priests and brothers.
The Church of the Assumption, the historic Administration Building and the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal all remain. The new facility at the Barrens is home to more than 25 Vincentians. It includes private living quarters, a community room and dining area, a chapel, small library, infirmary and assisted living area. Specially equipped areas for therapy are also available.
Thank you for joining us in the Journey Home.
Vincentian priests and brothers have touched countless lives in parishes, shelters, schools, and seminaries throughout the United States. They have dedicated their lives to the work of Jesus Christ here on Earth.
Join Us in the Journey Home
In gratitude, so many of you have responded generously to our invitation. We have received gifts totaling $5,000,130. Our donors will continue to help us care for our seniors at the Apostle of Charity Residence.
Ministry of Care… Life With Senior Vincentians
Apostle of Charity Residence
St. Mary’s of the Barrens
Perryville, Missouri
A Life of Gratitude
One year and a few months have passed since The Apostle of Charity Residence was dedicated as a new house for the Priests and Brothers of the Midwest Province of the Congregation of the Mission. It was an exciting time then, and continues to be now, as the men make their new house a home to be lived in. These men know well the fact that many of you are responsible for bringing their new house into being, and they are very grateful.
A Life of Community
The specific purpose of this new house is to provide for Senior Priests and Brothers of the Vincentian Community who are retired from active ministry and whose physical needs in their elder years have become more acute. It is difficult, for instance, for some of the men to actually be away from their home. At the same time, the goal of such care is to assist each resident in participating in activities and service to the extent he is able.
A Life of Vocation
In keeping with this goal, the Apostles of Prayer Ministry was established one year ago. We continue to honor the vocational life of these men by their service and through their participation in the celebration of the Eucharist and their prayers for the needs of others.
As elders, their physical energy may be diminished from what it once was, but they will always posses the spiritual energy and vitality of missionaries, pastors, educators, ministers of the Gospel of Christ, and leaders of prayer for the community of the Church.
A Life of Purpose
The Virtue of Simplicity, as a factor in seeking holiness, can be framed in the question: “What is needed?” It is a question all of us ask ourselves many, many times in our lives. As a people of faith, we all strive to integrate our material needs and spiritual needs and experiences. It is really a question of balance. It is no different in the elder years. The experience of loss and diminishment may change the kinds of needs that are manifested, but balance remains foundational for the ongoing task at hand. The men of the Apostle of Charity Residence know that seeking holiness is not about “maintaining” or “surviving”, rather it is about thriving in their ongoing spiritual journey. The balance of material and spiritual needs takes work, as ultimately the journey points toward spiritual transcendence.
A Life of Quality
Unity: they have vowed their lifetime to the work of the Mission…
Community: to live together as dear brothers, supporting one another through present needs, prayer, meals together, and service…
Awareness: while struggling with true physical and mental diminishment and losses…
Communication: they remain a sign that peace of mind and heart may come and go and come again, but Grace remains…
Trust: in receiving and accepting healing of spirit…
Wellness in Body, Mind and Spirit: while continuing to take care of and receive care for all that God has given them…
Service: because the Lord has called them…
Sacrifice: for their whole lifetime.
A Life at Home
Wonderful care is given to these men around the clock. A staff nurse and caregivers provide home health care for their physical needs and medical concerns, see that their laundry is done, and their rooms kept clean. The men are very well attended to by local doctors who even make in house visits once a month for routine check-ups and Podiatry.
Other resident Vincentian Priests and Brothers assist with scheduled daily prayer times and daily celebration of the Eucharist. Each evening after dinner many gather to pray the Rosary together. All of the residents are invited to participate in a monthly Day of Recollection, as well as an annual retreat convened at the house.
Much effort is made to assist the men in socializing within the house, speaking of current events, or inviting small groups of people to visit.
“I just love looking around here, and being able to say that I had something to do with giving this place life.”
--donor
Certain things always come up when a new home has actually been lived in for a while. The men would appreciate any donations you would care to make to our small library of books, audio books on CD, or music CD’s, or DVD’s in general. The addition of an aquarium is being looked into, as well as a chair lift for the therapy pool, and computer equipment that would allow the large screen television to be used as a computer monitor. This would be a wonderful way of gathering the residents together to access all sorts of cultural events on the internet.
For more information on making a contribution, please contact:
Congregation of the Mission Western Province
Ms. Teresa R. Manna
Director of Development
13663 Rider Trail North
Earth City, MO 63045-1512
314-344-1184
314-344-2989 Fax
Contact the Director of Development
