The 78-year-old single lady is taking computer classes, attends water aerobic classes, and does her own household shores --- despite a heart attack she suffered a few years back. And recently, she acquired her first passport ever, to go on a trip she had not contemplated even in her wildest dreams.
Pytel will be flying overseas, as part of a delegation of 12 people, to witness the October 11 canonization of Blessed Jeanne Jugan, the foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the religious order which operates San Pedro's Jeanne Jugan Residence for low-income elderly, Pytel's home since 1997.
"I've never been out of the United States except to step by mistake into Mexico for a few minutes and into the lakes of Canada for a few hours (when passports were not required)," Pytel told The Tidings.
Twelve years ago, the retired UCLA's administrative assistant found herself alone. She was living at Casa de los Amigos in Redondo Beach, when her oldest sister told her about the Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro.
They both applied to the Residence and were put on a waiting list for three years. Her sister passed away during that time and in 1997 Pytel moved in. In 2001 she left to take care of a sister in Kansas, then returned about two years later and has lived at the Residence ever since.
The only way she can explain how she was accepted at the home for the elderly that always keeps a long waiting list, is the "great love God has for me."
When Sister Marguerite McCarthy, superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor in San Pedro, asked her if she wanted to go to Rome, Pytel was thrilled, but surprised. "It was completely unexpected, too much to comprehend!" she exclaimed.
She even asked Sister McCarthy, "Why me?"
Sister McCarthy explained that her physical strength --- despite her heart attack --- was sound enough to travel. But, Sister McCarthy told The Tidings, it was also Pytel's "strong faith and her understanding of the spirit of Blessed Jeanne Jugan" what earned her the trip, with all expenses covered by the religious congregation.
A dream come true
The same happened with Inez David, the other resident selected to join the delegation. Like Jean Pytel, she is a "serious, practicing Catholic," Sister McCarthy said.
The 86-year-old David calls herself one of the "rookies" at the San Pedro residence. It's only been two years since she moved to the independent living apartments, one of the four levels of care that the Little Sisters provide. (The other levels are residential, assisted and skilled nursing.)
David had been living with one of her children in Colorado. But although she has a large family (eight adult children, 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren), she yearned for independence.
She also wanted to dedicate more of her time to her spiritual development. In 1986, before immigrating to the United States from her native Philippines, she joined the Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, a community of lay Roman Catholics who have a strong practice of meditation and prayer.
David has been to Rome before and, on that trip, threw a coin in a fountain as she made a wish to someday return. But that desire had almost vanished. "I never thought I would be back at 86," she smiled.
'Patroness of the elderly'
This weekend, some 4,000 sisters, residents, friends, supporters and benefactors from 202 homes in different parts of the world will converge in Rome for the canonization of Jeanne Jugan, "patroness of the elderly," at St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI will preside, and Jeanne Jugan homes around the world will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving paralleling the celebration in Rome.
It was 170 years ago that Jeanne Jugan, a 47-year-old French Breton fisherman's daughter, opened her home to a homeless semi-paralyzed blind elderly woman on a cold winter night. Jugan was inspired, she said, to gather the old lady from the streets and carry her home to place her in her own bed.
With little means of her own and carrying a basket, Jugan went from village to village knocking on doors begging for money and food with the support of the Brothers of St. John of God.
That was the beginning of the French-based religious order, whose mission is to assist the poor elderly with shelter, food, clothing and medical assistance, until their death. Jugan, who has been called the "saint for old age and every age," was beatified on October 3, 1982.
Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor still carry the "begging basket" to collect funds, food and clothing for the 13,000 elderly they serve in 202 homes in 32 countries. There are 31 homes in North America, including U.S. and Canada.
The San Pedro home is also supported by an association of lay people who volunteer at the residence and an Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor, which conducts periodic fundraisers. A group of medical and dental doctors as well as physical therapists also volunteer their services.
'A call to provide dignity'
The Little Sisters of the Poor believe "it is a call to provide dignity to those at the end of life in very difficult physical and financial circumstances; exposes a unique model of health care to the elderly in challenging economic times.."
The elderly population is increasing worldwide. According to the Little Sisters of the Poor's document, today more than 1.3 million Americans 65 years old or older live in homes for the elderly. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be elderly.
To read more click here
For more information about Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, visit www.lspsocal.org.
© 2004 The Tidings Corporation
October 9, 2009
USA: A once-in-a-lifetime adventure
.
LOS ANGELES, California / The Tidings / October 9, 2009
Jean Pytel likes beating the odds
Story and photos by Doris Benavides
The 78-year-old single lady is taking computer classes, attends water aerobic classes, and does her own household shores --- despite a heart attack she suffered a few years back. And recently, she acquired her first passport ever, to go on a trip she had not contemplated even in her wildest dreams.
Pytel will be flying overseas, as part of a delegation of 12 people, to witness the October 11 canonization of Blessed Jeanne Jugan, the foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the religious order which operates San Pedro's Jeanne Jugan Residence for low-income elderly, Pytel's home since 1997.
"I've never been out of the United States except to step by mistake into Mexico for a few minutes and into the lakes of Canada for a few hours (when passports were not required)," Pytel told The Tidings.
Twelve years ago, the retired UCLA's administrative assistant found herself alone. She was living at Casa de los Amigos in Redondo Beach, when her oldest sister told her about the Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro.
They both applied to the Residence and were put on a waiting list for three years. Her sister passed away during that time and in 1997 Pytel moved in. In 2001 she left to take care of a sister in Kansas, then returned about two years later and has lived at the Residence ever since.
The only way she can explain how she was accepted at the home for the elderly that always keeps a long waiting list, is the "great love God has for me."
When Sister Marguerite McCarthy, superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor in San Pedro, asked her if she wanted to go to Rome, Pytel was thrilled, but surprised. "It was completely unexpected, too much to comprehend!" she exclaimed.
She even asked Sister McCarthy, "Why me?"
Sister McCarthy explained that her physical strength --- despite her heart attack --- was sound enough to travel. But, Sister McCarthy told The Tidings, it was also Pytel's "strong faith and her understanding of the spirit of Blessed Jeanne Jugan" what earned her the trip, with all expenses covered by the religious congregation.
A dream come true
The same happened with Inez David, the other resident selected to join the delegation. Like Jean Pytel, she is a "serious, practicing Catholic," Sister McCarthy said.
The 86-year-old David calls herself one of the "rookies" at the San Pedro residence. It's only been two years since she moved to the independent living apartments, one of the four levels of care that the Little Sisters provide. (The other levels are residential, assisted and skilled nursing.)
David had been living with one of her children in Colorado. But although she has a large family (eight adult children, 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren), she yearned for independence.
She also wanted to dedicate more of her time to her spiritual development. In 1986, before immigrating to the United States from her native Philippines, she joined the Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, a community of lay Roman Catholics who have a strong practice of meditation and prayer.
David has been to Rome before and, on that trip, threw a coin in a fountain as she made a wish to someday return. But that desire had almost vanished. "I never thought I would be back at 86," she smiled.
'Patroness of the elderly'
This weekend, some 4,000 sisters, residents, friends, supporters and benefactors from 202 homes in different parts of the world will converge in Rome for the canonization of Jeanne Jugan, "patroness of the elderly," at St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI will preside, and Jeanne Jugan homes around the world will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving paralleling the celebration in Rome.
It was 170 years ago that Jeanne Jugan, a 47-year-old French Breton fisherman's daughter, opened her home to a homeless semi-paralyzed blind elderly woman on a cold winter night. Jugan was inspired, she said, to gather the old lady from the streets and carry her home to place her in her own bed.
With little means of her own and carrying a basket, Jugan went from village to village knocking on doors begging for money and food with the support of the Brothers of St. John of God.
That was the beginning of the French-based religious order, whose mission is to assist the poor elderly with shelter, food, clothing and medical assistance, until their death. Jugan, who has been called the "saint for old age and every age," was beatified on October 3, 1982.
Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor still carry the "begging basket" to collect funds, food and clothing for the 13,000 elderly they serve in 202 homes in 32 countries. There are 31 homes in North America, including U.S. and Canada.
The San Pedro home is also supported by an association of lay people who volunteer at the residence and an Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor, which conducts periodic fundraisers. A group of medical and dental doctors as well as physical therapists also volunteer their services.
'A call to provide dignity'
The Little Sisters of the Poor believe "it is a call to provide dignity to those at the end of life in very difficult physical and financial circumstances; exposes a unique model of health care to the elderly in challenging economic times.."
The elderly population is increasing worldwide. According to the Little Sisters of the Poor's document, today more than 1.3 million Americans 65 years old or older live in homes for the elderly. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be elderly.
To read more click here
For more information about Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, visit www.lspsocal.org.
© 2004 The Tidings Corporation
The 78-year-old single lady is taking computer classes, attends water aerobic classes, and does her own household shores --- despite a heart attack she suffered a few years back. And recently, she acquired her first passport ever, to go on a trip she had not contemplated even in her wildest dreams.
Pytel will be flying overseas, as part of a delegation of 12 people, to witness the October 11 canonization of Blessed Jeanne Jugan, the foundress of the Little Sisters of the Poor, the religious order which operates San Pedro's Jeanne Jugan Residence for low-income elderly, Pytel's home since 1997.
"I've never been out of the United States except to step by mistake into Mexico for a few minutes and into the lakes of Canada for a few hours (when passports were not required)," Pytel told The Tidings.
Twelve years ago, the retired UCLA's administrative assistant found herself alone. She was living at Casa de los Amigos in Redondo Beach, when her oldest sister told her about the Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro.
They both applied to the Residence and were put on a waiting list for three years. Her sister passed away during that time and in 1997 Pytel moved in. In 2001 she left to take care of a sister in Kansas, then returned about two years later and has lived at the Residence ever since.
The only way she can explain how she was accepted at the home for the elderly that always keeps a long waiting list, is the "great love God has for me."
When Sister Marguerite McCarthy, superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor in San Pedro, asked her if she wanted to go to Rome, Pytel was thrilled, but surprised. "It was completely unexpected, too much to comprehend!" she exclaimed.
She even asked Sister McCarthy, "Why me?"
Sister McCarthy explained that her physical strength --- despite her heart attack --- was sound enough to travel. But, Sister McCarthy told The Tidings, it was also Pytel's "strong faith and her understanding of the spirit of Blessed Jeanne Jugan" what earned her the trip, with all expenses covered by the religious congregation.
A dream come true
The same happened with Inez David, the other resident selected to join the delegation. Like Jean Pytel, she is a "serious, practicing Catholic," Sister McCarthy said.
The 86-year-old David calls herself one of the "rookies" at the San Pedro residence. It's only been two years since she moved to the independent living apartments, one of the four levels of care that the Little Sisters provide. (The other levels are residential, assisted and skilled nursing.)
David had been living with one of her children in Colorado. But although she has a large family (eight adult children, 20 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren), she yearned for independence.
She also wanted to dedicate more of her time to her spiritual development. In 1986, before immigrating to the United States from her native Philippines, she joined the Order of Carmel Discalced Secular, a community of lay Roman Catholics who have a strong practice of meditation and prayer.
David has been to Rome before and, on that trip, threw a coin in a fountain as she made a wish to someday return. But that desire had almost vanished. "I never thought I would be back at 86," she smiled.
'Patroness of the elderly'
This weekend, some 4,000 sisters, residents, friends, supporters and benefactors from 202 homes in different parts of the world will converge in Rome for the canonization of Jeanne Jugan, "patroness of the elderly," at St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Benedict XVI will preside, and Jeanne Jugan homes around the world will celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving paralleling the celebration in Rome.
It was 170 years ago that Jeanne Jugan, a 47-year-old French Breton fisherman's daughter, opened her home to a homeless semi-paralyzed blind elderly woman on a cold winter night. Jugan was inspired, she said, to gather the old lady from the streets and carry her home to place her in her own bed.
With little means of her own and carrying a basket, Jugan went from village to village knocking on doors begging for money and food with the support of the Brothers of St. John of God.
That was the beginning of the French-based religious order, whose mission is to assist the poor elderly with shelter, food, clothing and medical assistance, until their death. Jugan, who has been called the "saint for old age and every age," was beatified on October 3, 1982.
Today, the Little Sisters of the Poor still carry the "begging basket" to collect funds, food and clothing for the 13,000 elderly they serve in 202 homes in 32 countries. There are 31 homes in North America, including U.S. and Canada.
The San Pedro home is also supported by an association of lay people who volunteer at the residence and an Auxiliary of the Little Sisters of the Poor, which conducts periodic fundraisers. A group of medical and dental doctors as well as physical therapists also volunteer their services.
'A call to provide dignity'
The Little Sisters of the Poor believe "it is a call to provide dignity to those at the end of life in very difficult physical and financial circumstances; exposes a unique model of health care to the elderly in challenging economic times.."
The elderly population is increasing worldwide. According to the Little Sisters of the Poor's document, today more than 1.3 million Americans 65 years old or older live in homes for the elderly. By 2030, 1 in 5 Americans will be elderly.
To read more click here
For more information about Jeanne Jugan Residence in San Pedro, visit www.lspsocal.org.
© 2004 The Tidings Corporation
