Sister Paula Jaworski

Some people just can't handle retirement, and Sister Paula Jaworski is one of them. She figures now that she is officially retired, she has even more time to devote to her volunteer work at Addolorata Villa. "As long as I have the strength, I am going to go on doing what I do because I love it," she said. For the last ten years Sister Paula has faithfully and conscientiously served the residents of Addolorata Villa, a 300 bed continuing care retirement community in Wheeling, Illinois. She has a motto that she has lived by her whole life, which is, "Helping and serving others creates a happy, caring heart." Sister Paula dedicates over 120 hours a month to serving the needs of the staff and residents at the Villa as a Eucharistic Minister, Minister of Care, Sacristan, Choir Member, and in numerous other ways. In addition to assisting the priest at Mass by distributing Holy Communion, she decorates the chapel for the various liturgical seasons, feasts, and holy days. Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost are the three major holy days that require the most extensive preparation, and at Christmas she assists in setting up the Crèche, Nativity Scene, and hanging banners and mobiles above the altar.

During the first week of December Sister Paula and a few staff members and residents assemble the elaborate Christmas Village that has been a long-standing tradition at the Villa. She has a "green thumb," and until recently she had an outdoor garden, but now that she uses a walker she has been forced to limit her gardening to caring for the plants and flowers in the chapel. She also helps with the sacristan duties which involves preparing the chapel for Mass, and has trained seven volunteers to assist with these tasks. In addition Sister Paula launders the altar cloths, and other linens, keeps tab on the inventory of candles, wine, and plant and laundry supplies, cares for the vestments, and until recently distributed Holy Communion on Saturday to the residents of the first floor of the health care facility.

Sister Paula was born and raised in Chicago, and in 1947 she was working as a cleaning lady at the Villa when she decided to answer the calling she had felt for several years. She joined the Order of Servants of Mary, Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and served as a teacher in schools in West Virginia, New Jersey, on the south side of Chicago, and in Ladysmith, WI. She was transferred to Hillside, IL, and for 30 years she taught first through fifth grades at St. Domitilla parish. In 1996 she experienced health problems and was forced to retire from her teaching career. She received permission to “come home” to Addolorato Villa and very quickly made herself an invaluable member of that institution.

Betty Skonieczny, Director of Mission Integration and Pastoral Care, commented, “Sister Paula always says, “yes,” to any request and is always looking for more ways to serve. Clearly, fewer spiritual services would be provided for our residents without her contributions. She doesn't like sitting still, even at 88 years of age, and many times things are already done before we even think of asking. She truly enjoys working with the residents. She is fun to be around and is always cracking jokes.”

People of all ages are encouraged to call The Volunteer Center of Northwest Suburban Chicago (TVC) at 847-228-1320, or the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Seniors age 55 or better) at 847-228-1006. A staff member will match you up with an assignment in your neighborhood where volunteers are needed. Further information can be obtained by checking their website www.volunteerinfo.net.

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