Team Leisure and Fun: Tom Sawyer the Play!

IHM Catholic Homeschool theater group present Tom Sawyer!

Christmas Entertainment: Centerville Co-ed Dancers!

Dancers of all ages perform for our residents!

Centerville Reports Today: The Franciscan Center at St. Leonard.mp4

Team AAA Miami Valley Reporting No 4.: Regular Preventive Maintenance

Vehicle Maintenance Tips for Mature Drivers

Regular checks and preventive maintenance are good habits that keep your vehicle operating safely. Check battery cable connections regularly and replace a weak battery as soon as you can. Have your tires rotated every 7,500 to 10,000 miles. And make sure tires are inflated to the recommended level.

It’s also important to keep maintenance records and to follow your vehicle manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations. Following these maintenance tips could help keep your car on the road. Miami Valley AAA.

Team Woodshop: Toy Cars!

A meeting was held at St Leonard's woodshop last Tuesday at 2:00pm. Bernie, Fred, Pete, Kate, and John, attended. Fred has been busy; he's produced a bucket of wheels, cut out and sanded over 110 car bodies, and had a good start at drilling axel holes in those bodies. Fred also made a jig so that he could accurately drill axel holes. When Pete saw the jig and bodies waiting for axel holes he began drilling. Fred got me busy too, he skinned the scrap 2x4 lumber that George donated, and I assisted as he operated the planer. He set up the table saw so that I could run cut the 2x4's into 2x2's. The oscillating spindle sander is operational, the dust collection is working, and it has been used to sand the body profiles. Kate arrived with the stamp and we had to try it out. When John arrived there was discussion about shop cleanness and order. I also learned that the general contractor who is building the additions at St Leonard paid for the spindle sander. Kate is going to get four sets of ear muffs for sound protection. It was a great meeting, thanks to Fred; he's really gotten a lot accomplished. No one knew that he was building cars. He said that he usually works 4 or 5 afternoons a week. He begins some time between 12:30 and 1:00 and will spend a couple of hours in the woodshop. Pete and I had a good time helping him on Tuesday. The smell of sawdust is addictive, now that Fred has gotten the ball rolling; I hope others will be joining him.

Team Dance Tip No. 2: The Man's Lead

Submitted by Ballroom Dance Instructor Dale Archer

The Sock Hop Jive Class is currently working on single swing and tango! My advice to the lady doing these dances and all others is to wait for the man's lead. The man has to place the lady to step because of his connection to the dance floor is through her weight shifts, which he causes through his lead. As partners you must remain connected and sensitive to each other's movement.

Team Spiritual Care: Vital Life No. 2

Vital Life: A Friar's Experience Fellow Residents and Staff,

As a child and adolescent, I enjoyed school and did well in it. History was my favorite subject, teachers were my role models, and I wanted to teach history. In 1970 I began teaching social studies at Franciscan high schools in Cincinnati and later in Fort Wayne. I enjoyed the kids but was not very good at teaching. While I in Fort Wayne, I was ordained to the ministerial priesthood by Bishop Joseph Crowley, the auxiliary bishop of the diocese.

In the summer of 1977 Lily, a mother of two of our students, called and asked for a priest to celebrate Mass at a camp south of town. I volunteered. The camp, it turned out, was for migrant farm workers, most of whom were Mexicans or Mexican-Americans who spoke little or no English. Lily herself was not only the mother of two of our students but also the director of the diocesan office for Spanish-speaking Catholics. Summer was tomato season, and the people had come to pick the crop. The camp consisted of central showers, toilets, and tap water, and fifteen or so one-room cabins, with a whole family, parents and children, assigned to a cabin. A slightly larger building served as a common meeting place, and that was where the Mass would be celebrated. Lily assured me that I could celebrate the Mass in English. The people might not know the English words, but as Catholics they would understand the central mystery of the Mass. When I arrived at the camp, to my own surprise I determined to celebrate the Mass in Spanish. The only Spanish that I knew was "Si." I did not know the words of the Mass, and I pronounced them as though they were English. Little kids giggled, but the people appreciated my effort. That summer evening transformed me. For the first time in my life I was engaged in something bigger than myself. I did not have to be a failed high school teacher. I could touch people's lives. I learned Spanish and ministered to both migrant and settled Hispanic Catholics for nine more months. The Holy Spirit had touched my heart. How has the Holy Spirit changed you? In the words of Saint Francis, Peace and every Blessing! Loren Connell, OFM, sacramental minister

September 1, 2011

The Franciscan Center Team: Jon Dolph!

Jon Dolph Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Supervisor

Everyone regardless of age, physical condition, mental health, and emotional well being deserves to experience and enjoy exercise. Exercise not only feels good but also reduces the risk of developing lifestyle related diseases. Regular exercise is also vital to ensuring that our bodies perform their best at any age. Exercise enhances every aspect of physical and mental well being. I strive to encourage, support, and challenge individuals to feel strong, confident and to find fitness programs they truly enjoy. Whether someone wants to lose weight, get stronger, or improve overall fitness, it is important to keep challenging yourself with safe and enjoyable exercises that always incorporate good posture, balance, flexibility, and core strength.

Team Assisted Care: Hot Air Balloon History, Food, and Fun!

Ladies Social celebrating Hot Air Balloons. Residents made little hot air balloons with Reese's cups, straws and marshmallows. After a wonderful discussion of the history of hot air balloons and the sharing of their knowledge and experiences of hot air balloons, the residents got to eat them. Yummy! Yummy! ~Sister Christine Doerger