The changing colors of the fall season is a feast for our eyes, and the beauty is a blessing from God. We can always appreciate this gift!

During this season, we celebrate the feast day of St. Louis Guanella (October 24th), whose vision and mission are carried out here at St. Louis Center. We serve people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, who were very dear to his heart and at the same time we give hope, like a lighthouse in the dark, to so many families who are looking for the care and wellbeing of their loved ones when they are no longer able to provide for them.

August 27, 2023 Bishop Boyea of the Diocese of Lansing blessed and rededicated the remodeled St Joseph Hall. All the residents now have a private room and are able to decorate it according to their wishes and liking. All of them have a more personalized space. The LARA license was amended from a 20-bed facility to an 11-bed facility.

Many fundraising events have happened since the last issue of this newsletter; I want to thank all the volunteers who worked very hard on the success of such events. The generosity of the participants has been marvelous, bringing the needed financial support for the benevolent care program offered at the Center. New generous donors have shown great interest in the Center and all of us appreciate them.

There are still many challenges we face every day. Through the involvement of many people who are offering the Center their expertise, we are able to address them and work to help anyone who knocks at our door.

Through a grant from MACC we are starting an art/clay program during the day program for the residents who, due to aging and other factors, are not able to join programs in the community.

Thanks to a generous donor, we launched a new matching gift campaign for $100,000. Please see the website for more information about this challenge.

On September 25, 2023, the good Lord called to Himself our good friend, advocate and supporter, Mary Galasso, who took the Center under her wings leading the Guardian Angels – Fall Fest fundraising event held every year at the Italian American Banquet Hall in Livonia. Thank you, Mary for this and may God reward you for what you have done for ‘those who are precious in His sight.’