The Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception are inviting everyone in and around Los Banos to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the New Bethany Residential and Skilled Care Facility on Sunday, April 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the facility.
The celebration, in the auditorium of New Bethany (1441 Berkeley Drive), will be preceded by a Mass of Thanksgiving at 1 p.m. in the facility’s chapel, celebrated by Father John Schmoll, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church.
“Having members of the local community come on Sunday will add to the joy of the event,” said a sister on behalf of the entire Franciscan Hospitaller Congregation, which started and continues to oversee New Bethany. “We hope many people come to celebrate this milestone with us and revel in the stories that have woven the fabric of our shared history.”
The doors of New Bethany were opened on March 1, 1999, to the first four residents to be taken care of by the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters. As the number of residents increased, the first employee was hired on April 1, 1999.
Three months later, on July 1, 1999, two individuals in need of skilled health care services were admitted to New Bethany Skilled Nursing Facility. The sisters credit this development to the intercession of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
Since then, New Bethany has provided care with a holistic approach to local residents and those from surrounding areas.
The sisters at New Bethany want everyone in the community to know that they consider it an honor and privilege to provide quality care to older adults and to offer employment to a number of workers, including those lay employees who have dedicated their time and skill for this cause. The sisters are very grateful to them.
The sisters trust in the providential glance of God who watches over them and want to take this opportunity to express their thanks foremost to God the Heavenly Father for His countless blessings.
Continuing to emphasize their gratitude, the sisters thank their thoughtful and loyal benefactors, friends, and loving members of the community for their continued selfless and generous support.
The sisters readily acknowledge that without the support of so many people it would be difficult for them to walk in the footsteps of their founders, Father Raimundo dos Anjos Beirao and Blessed Maria Clara of the Child Jesus, whose motto was ‘Do good where there is good to be done.’”
