From the Director
Villa Scalabrini Celebrates 40 years of Loving Care
Dear Villa Scalabrini Friends and Family,
On April 22, 1979, Fr. Luigi Donanzan, the Scalabrinian Pastor of St. Peter’s Church in Los Angeles, together with a committed group of supporters and benefactors from the Italian-American community, witnessed the realization of their dream to care for the needs of the elderly. On that day of dedication, Villa Scalabrini was blessed by Cardinal Timothy Manning, who expressed his admiration for this splendid sign of the Church’s care for the elderly and the sick. On that day, Edward Di Loreto, chairman of the building committee, called the realization of the Villa “a miracle!”
A section of the Villa was set aside for the retired Scalabrinian Priests and Brothers, who have since provided liturgical services and management of the Villa. The beautiful chapel, later enriched with a stunning mosaic representing the risen Lord, was designed by its founders as a place of worship for the residents who wish to celebrate the faith that has enlightened their life and families. Religious Sisters, whom Fr. Donanzan called “the Guardian Angels of the Villa,” have maintained their much-appreciated ministry, which is now provided by the Augustinian Recollect Sisters.
Guided by faith, the dedicated staff of Villa Scalabrini has been making a positive impact in the life of thousands of residents and their families. The gift of their loving care and experience is constantly recognized with gratitude.
While the original spirit of the founders has been kept shining for forty years, the services at the Villa have grown and developed. Since its beginning, with God’s help, new facilities have been added to better meet the needs of our retired community.
- In 1988, a Special Care Unit was attached to the Villa in order to offer comprehensive care to all residents who are in need of skilled nurses, therapists and licensed care professionals to guide them through personalized therapy in order to regain their independence.
- A Memory Care Unit was established at the Villa in the 1990s. It is a separate retirement area that specifically caters to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other types of memory issues, providing for them 24-hour supervised care.
- The latest addition to the Villa’s service was “La Piazza”: An answer to what many people choose as their first step of retirement. The La Piazza, comprised of 20 individual residences with attached carports, is designed for active seniors. Residents enjoy the benefits of living in a community while maintaining independence and privacy.
- We are thankful for the generous donations made by the residents and their families to improve our grounds. The original bocce courts were replaced by a spacious “Garden Pavilion” that is used for outdoors social events for residents and their families. Also, a generous contribution has made possible the creation of the new “Meditation Garden” where the residents of the Villa have easy access to a place of contemplation and peace outdoors.
A look at the future
During the last 40 years, God has kept alive our founders’ dream by sending to the villa His messengers with the generous help needed in various improvement projects. We are glad to share with you some new projects that we are hoping to be able to accomplish with your help:
- At the Villa Scalabrini: an addition of 12 rooms dedicated to the Memory Care, for which there is an increase demand.
- At “La Piazza”: an addition of 8 to 10 units. There too there is a waiting list of people who would like to join the community.
- At the Retired Scalabrinian Fathers and Brothers Residence, lately occupied by seminary students and their formators, we are in the process of remodeling the house originally built for them and welcoming them back again.
By sharing these “dreams”, I invite everyone to help with one of these projects. Doing so can be a rewarding way of thanking God for the care that we have been privileged to offer to our seniors and for the ministry offered by the Scalabrini Fathers to the migrants in the United States and other countries. With your generous support, we will soon witness another “miracle”, similar to the one recognized at the inauguration of the Villa.
Together we thank God for having given us the privilege of being companions on the journey to so many special residents and their families. For forty years we have received the gift of their trust and confidence which we hold dearly in our hearts. I feel very honored to be part of such a loving team of caregivers and friends!
Please set aside Sunday October 6, 2019 so that you may participate in a Thanksgiving Mass at 10:30 a.m. at the Villa’s Chapel. Residents and their families are invited to make their reservation for the annual festive picnic to follow the Mass in the Villa’s Pavilion.
Let us always give thanks and rejoice in the Lord.
Happy Spring Season!
Fr. Adilso Luiz Balen, cs
Executive Director
For more information or to plan a tour of La Piazza, please call Laura Mesrobian, Admissions Coordinator, at 818-768-6500 or [email protected]
