A Word from our Executive Director
Sister Lourdes Lara, S. de M.
During this year's dedication to the Consecrated Life and the Jubilee Year of Mercy, I want to honor the life of our dear Sister Marta Sierra, S. de M., who lived a Consecrated Life for 63 years and had great zeal for the Divine Mercy and was dedicated to Our Lady, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Sister Marta, ever attentive and sensitive to the needs of others, passed peacefully from this life into Eternal Life surrounded by her Community.
 
Born in Colombia on June 19, 1939, Amparo, Sister Marta's birth name, was welcomed lovingly into this world by her parents Miguel Sierra and Eugenia Echavarria. At the age of 16, she arrived in Medellin, Columbia and was welcomed into the postulancy together with a group of classmates. A year later, she was received into the novitiate and given the name of Sister Marta. Two years later she made her first profession of vows. Sister Marta was a joyful and spiritual young Sister who did not hesitate to say yes to the Lord, even to leave her family, country and culture. She adapted well to the USA. Sister Marta was one of the seven founders of Mary Health of the Sick and served 47 years in the facility assisting residents and families.
 
Trained in nursing and pastoral care, she devoted herself to the ministries of religious education and children and adult faith formation. Many residents and employees' children were taught by her, even at the present, she had classes in progress with a young child and four children scheduled for her next class. Faithful to every Saturday for the 11:00 a.m.  Rosary and Communion and no Christian or civil holy day decorations were ever missed. If residents' belongings were misplaced, she would say, "Tony, Tony, help me to find it," as her great devotion to Saint Anthony would always assist in recovering the items.
 
Her life was full of details toward others, showing love and concern, and no one left her side without a word of comfort. She helped many people to find jobs and if someone was sick or in need of something, she would find a way to help. Sister Marta could always be counted on to acknowledge the Sisters, staff and residents' birthdays with a beautiful flower arrangement, birthday song and a prayer. Her smile and steps are still all around us. I feel her presence and her powerful prayers for all of us. She loved Mary Health so much that she did not lose the opportunity to transmit the love and care she felt for Mary Health to the young Sisters. She loved people, outings and friendships.
 
I want to conclude with Sister Marta's words expressed at our December Community meeting: "Love. If you love you will not do wrong." And her favorite short prayer: "Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you, save my soul."   
 
Mary Health of the Sick in Newbury Park is independently funded.  The doors of Mary Health remain open as a direct result of our generous community of donors.
Servants of Mary Worldwide
Today 1,628 Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick are dedicated to serving the sick in 115 convents in 22 countries around the world.
 
Mary Health of the Sick, Newbury Park
At Mary Health of the Sick we provide not only skilled nursing care but also physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and home transition assessment.  Mary Health of the Sick, Newbury Park has served over 4,000 residents since 1964.  Mary Health is independently funded.

Daily Mass
Mass is held daily onsite in our beautifully renovated chapel.  Services are Monday through Saturday at 8:00 a.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m.  All services are open to the public.


SAVE THE DATES - Fundraising FUN
Spring Luncheon at Sherwood
Country Club,  Thursday, April 28, 2016
10:30 - 2:30
Tickets $125.00
"Friends are the Flowers that Bloom in Life's Garden"
Produced by our faithful 100 Club Board and Luncheon Committee. A fun-filled afternoon of friends, shopping, dining and entertainment.  We are once again excited to feature our community partner, Cabrillo Music Theatre, singing songs of friendship from a variety of wonderful shows.  Broadway in our own backyard!!  Exciting vacation raffle for one week at the Royal Kona Resort, Hawaii and VIP Luau compliments of Mr. and Mrs. Hogan and Hawaiian Hotels and Resorts (airfare not included). $25/ticket or $100/5 tickets
Register NOW online at www.maryhealth.com
For sponsorship opportunities contact development@maryhealth.com

6th Annual Care and Compassion Gala - NEW LOCATION
Spanish Hills Country Club
Saturday, November 5, 2016
5:30 - 10:00 
  
We invite you to join us for this "black tie optional" fundraising event.  The evening will be filled with live entertainment, silent and live aucti o ns, a delightful dinner and of course our wonderful Sisters.
 
Ticket information will follow.
For sponsorship opportunities contact development@maryhealth.com


Mary Health Angel Society
Generous Gifts Assist the Sisters' Mission 
We are pleased to announce the overwhelming success of our Angel Society's inaugural campaign held last summer and through the fall. Our caring and generous benefactors' positive response to this new program raised over $136,000 with 100% of  the proceeds going to support resident care, resident equipment, new or upgrades to facility equipment and programs to advance best practices in skilled nursing care at Mary Health.
 
Thank you to each of our 75 Angel Society Members.
You make a difference in the lives of our frail and elderly residents.
  
On Thursday, March 3, 2016 , the Angel Society  D onor R ecognition W all was unveiled in the Ebensteiner Garden.  The Sisters and the Angel Society Members enjoyed a dedication ceremony, brunch and music by violinist Tara Kays of Ventura County Music Academy
To learn more about Angel Society membership

Celebrating 200 Years
Spotlight on Our Residents
Family, friends, and Mary Health staff celebrated two special ladies on their 100th birthdays: Noeline Regla and Italia Giarusso.  
Noeline Regla was born on December 25, 1915 and was raised in the Los Angeles area.  She worked as a dressmaker for Adrian Couture, Grace Martin Couture and the movie studio's.  Noeline married Andre Regla shortly after they met at a French picnic in 1934.  When Noeline's mother, Cecile became blind in the 1970's she came to live with Noeline and Andre.  It was during that period of time the Sisters, Servants of Mary of Los Angeles cared for Cecile until her death in 1976, and also for Noeline's father.  Noeline taught several of the Sisters how to drive and provided them with a car to make it easier for them to travel from the convent to the Regla home.  Noeline came to live here at Mary Health in 2015 and she was happy to be with the Sisters who have been so kind and loving to her family through the years. Noeline passed away shortly before this newsletter was published.  She will be greatly missed.
Italia Giarusso was born on January 7, 1916 to Italian immigrants, Salvatore and Mary Rose.  Italia was 6 years old when her father died in an accident leaving the family penniless.  To support the family's needs, Italia's mother grew vegetables in the garden and together they went door-to-door selling fresh foods. Despite their poverty, Italia grew up very happy and healthy. At an early age Italia left school to work, but loved learning, so she attended classes in the evenings. In 1936 at age 20, Italia married her best friend's brother, Joseph Giarrusso, and together they celebrated with 500 guests and a 21-piece orchestra!  Travel was a big part of Italia's life. She toured extensively in the United States and all around the world, but family has always come first. Italia has raised 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and they all love her dearly.  Caring and babysitting for her grandchildren included many excursions to California amusement parks. At 80 years old, Italia was still riding roller coasters!  The Sisters and staff are always delighted to hear Italia say, "God is good to me. I am lucky to be alive".  At Mary Health, Italia enjoys a spiritual life receiving communion, reciting the Rosary and attending daily Mass with the Sisters.
Spotlight on Our Dietary Team (Team picture pending)
The mission of the Mary Health Dietary Team, led by the Dietary Director, Ron Reyes, is to offer appetizing and nutritious foods, efficiently prepared and served under sanitary conditions and at appropriate temperatures ... and they do an amazing job. The Dietary Team is overseen by our Registered Dietician (R.D.) Jennifer   Hanson.   Ron meets with each resident to find out what foods they enjoy eating, if they have any food allergies and how they prepared meals at home.   Certain residents are evaluated by the speech therapist who administers a swallow test. It is then determined which type of diet they will receive. There are four types: liquid diet, mechanical soft diet, puree diet and regular diet. A resident may have a meal plan which is a combination of the different types. The residents who have the ability to make choices and do not have texture modification or dietary restrictions can order off of a menu titled "Mary's Grill". After each meal the amount of food eaten is recorded per resident so as to properly manage their nutritional intake and healthy weight. We strive to create an atmosphere of independence allowing our residents to continue to make choices as much as possible. Knowing each resident, their preferences and their daily pleasures in dining leads to optimal intake, proper weight management and quality of life in dining.
In addition to this incredible resident care, the Dietary Team provides food services to staff and visitors as needed. The Dietary Team also serves as our catering company for many onsite hospital events and board meetings. Next time you see a member of our Dietary Team be sure to thank them for the "delicious and nutritious" meals they provide to our residents, staff and visitors.
Welcome Our New Board of Regents Member Dr. Razmig Krumian
Mary Health is honored to announce Dr. Krumian, Family Practice Physician in Westlake Village, as our newest Board of Regents member.  Dr. Krumian's personal philosophy is to provide individualized care that promotes overall wellness, and not to simply treat illness when it occurs.  He strives to consider the whole person, each with distinctive physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and cultural characteristics.  This philosophy is a perfect fit with the mission of the Sisters, Servants of Mary.  Dr. Krumian has an extensive list of credentials, honors, awards and affiliations.  We are thrilled to have Dr. Krumian join our dynamic team of individuals serving on the Mary Health Board of Regents. 
In 2015 Benefactor and Foundation Donations Provided
Emergency Barbecue
Stainless Steel Food Service Plate Warmer
Resident Serviceware
Refurbishment of Hospital and Resident Room Flooring
Replenishment of Resident Linens
Third Party Payor Funding Gap
Modernization of Nurses' Stations to be completed in 2016
Garden Upgrades and Maintenance
 
2016 Facility Needs
Third Party Payor Gap $539,000
New Chiller (Air Cooling System) $203,424
Parking Lot Refurbishment $200,000
New Convection Oven $16,600
Security Surveillance Cameras $15,000
Resident Linen $10,725
Modernize Nursing Breakroom $10,000
New Resident Wheelchairs $5,000
Beauty Shop Hair Dryers $2,000

WAYS OF GIVING
Gifts of Cash, Bequests, Life Insurance, Stock, Matching Gifts, In Memory/Honor, Gifts of Time

You are an essential part of our mission
In 2015 our on-site thrift store raised revenue of $253,261.   Merry Hall Tree Thrift Store offers 50% off daily specials featuring either the "Letter or Color of the Day".
 
 
 
Open Monday - Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  
Donations are greatly appreciated and accepted Monday - Saturday
Call Carol Smith, Thrift Store Manager at 805-498-7886 for more information.
Foundation Member Mary Villar Says....
"The excellent physical and spiritual care provided to the residents of Mary Health is truly inspiring.  It should be a model for all institutions serving the elderly."
 - Mary Villar, Trustee of the Barnes Family Foundation
Your experience with Mary Health matters to us
Share your thoughts with us
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Mission Statement
The mission of Mary Health of the Sick Convalescent and Nursing Hospital is to provide the highest level of long-term care in Southern California.  The community of the Sisters, Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick, is dedicated to helping in the personal life transition of each resident and his/her family with a spirit and expression of love and concern.  May Health pursues excellence in the care of the whole person - body, mind, and soul.
Good Night Sweet Residents, Rest in the Arms of God
October 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Evelyn B. Alley
Sister Mary Donnamay
Sister Mary Ellen Egan
Fernand Vanier
Prayer for the Jubilee Year of Mercy
Lord Jesus Christ, You have taught us to be merciful like the Heavenly Father, and have told us that whoever sees You sees Him.  Show us Your face and we will be saved.
You are the visible face of the invisible Father, of the God who manifests His power above all by forgiveness and mercy: let the Church be Your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.  You willed that Your ministers would also be clothed in weakness in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:  let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved and forgiven by God.
Send Your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing, so that the JUBILEE OF MERCY may be a year of grace from the Lord, and Your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor, proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed and restore sight to the blind.
We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy, You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.
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