Bill Scobey-Polacheck, Pastoral Care Director of the Health and Rehabilitation Center

Candlemas, also known as the Presentation of the Lord, is a holiday celebrating the presentation of Jesus at the temple. It falls on Feb. 2, 40 days after the birth of Jesus. The name Candlemas comes from England where the tradition was to bless and distribute candles before Mass. In art therapy, residents made jar candles with LED lights which will be blessed during this Mass.  

Feb. 2 is also the first Friday of the month, so after Mass there will be a communal Anointing of the Sick. Residents appreciate this opportunity to receive this sacrament. While often associated with those who are close to death, it is also appropriate for those suffering from physical, spiritual, or mental illness.  

The skilled nursing spirituality group will be digging into A.J. Jacob’s Thanks a Thousand book. The author of A Year of Living Biblically takes gratitude to a new level by attempting to thank everyone involved in the production of his cup of coffee, from the barista at the coffee shop to the farmer growing the beans. Jacobs’ life was transformed by this experiment. 

Wake Up with Purpose: What I’ve Learned in My First 100 Years will be the focus of the Garden Suites spirituality group. This memoir of “Sr. Jean”, the Loyola of Chicago matriarch and basketball icon, shares her journey from her childhood in California to her role as the chaplain of the Loyola Chicago Ramblers men’s basketball team.