Completing the Circle

by Sr. Fran Schumer, ASC

On August 9, Villa Maria in Mulvane, Kansas, was buzzing with life. Staff, residents and their families, sisters and their friends, and supporters were there to celebrate 75 years of this ASC ministry with the elderly.  

In 1949 Bishop Mark Carroll of the Diocese of Wichita bought the former Santa Fe Railroad Hospital in Mulvane, KS, to be used as a home for the aged.  Five ASCs were appointed to staff the facility which opened to its first guests in July 1950.  The first guest was Mrs. Marta Gorges, the mother of Sr. Sylvia.  The Villa had a capacity for 47 residents.  The home was under the supervision of the Diocesan Catholic Social Services until 1961 when the bishop gave the deed to the ASCs.

By the mid-1970s the old hospital building was no longer adequate and did not meet the standards needed to be a licensed nursing home.  Financing for the new facility was a combination of industrial revenue bonds and donations. One of those behind the fund-raising efforts was Kenneth Owens, a long-time board member and father of Sr.. Patty Owens.  In 1976 a new 64-bed Villa Maria was opened with 30 semi-private and four private rooms. Extensive renovations were made in 1999.

At that same time the Board saw a need for assisted living in the Mulvane community.  In 2000, land was acquired, and Maria Court was built on property several blocks down the street from the Villa.

Given the emphasis on skilled nursing rehab and changing expectations of residents, it became clear by 2016 that the Villa needed to make major changes in the facility if it was to continue to have a future.  In March 2018 construction was begun on a new wing that included 12 private rooms, 12 semi-private rooms, dining/activity room, administrative offices, and a large therapy area.  Construction was completed in December and residents moved into the new wing in January 2019.  Shortly after, work began on renovating the old building which involved completely gutting the building.  The work was completed in April 2020 with a total of 14 private rooms and 25 semi-private.

Because of the increasing complexity of long-term care and the difficulty of a small local board having the expertise needed to address issues adequately, a management contract was signed with Via Christi Villages to provide management services in 2010.  In 2017 CSJ Initiatives became the management company.

The Region for some time has expressed the desire to withdraw from sponsoring health care ministries.  Several attempts have been made over the years to transfer sponsorship of Villa Maria but without success.  Most recently in 2020 discussion began with Catholic Care Center, a ministry for the elderly founded by the Diocese in 1990, about their assuming sponsorship but it was not a good time for either Catholic Care or Villa Maria.  Discussions resumed in 2024, and this time resulted in the transfer of sponsorship on July 1. 

And so, the circle is complete.  The ASCs received the gift of Villa Maria in 1950 and after 75 years of faithful stewardship are now able to return the gift to the Diocese. To mark the occasion Sr. Angela Laquet presented Cindy LaFleur, the CEO of Catholic Care Center with a picture of Maria with the inscription 

“It is not we who are doing the work, it is God.  Courage.
If we put ourselves in God’s hands, we will
see wonders.” (Maria De Mattias)
Continuing the Mission – July 1, 2025

One of the items of prominence at the celebration was the following Proclamation from the City of Mulvane

WHEREAS The Adorers of the Blood of Christ have faithfully served the City of Mulvane for 75 years through their ministry at Villa Maria,

WHEREAS This congregation is dedicated to service of their dear neighbors and believe that all people regardless of their differences are part of one community and deserve respect and support, especially in times of need,

WHEREAS We can all learn from their shining example of selflessness and community spirit,

THEREFORE in recognition of their achievements and as an inspiration to others, I Mayor Brent Allen proclaim August 9, 2025 as Dear Neighbor Day.

Friends and supports of Villa Maria gather on August 9^th to celebrate 75 years of faithful service to the elderly of Mulvane and the surrounding area.

Picture on the left shows an aerial view of the current building.  Picture on the right was the original Villa Maria.  The document in the middle is the Villa Maria Mission Statement.

During the blessing ceremony, Sr. Angela Laquet, representing the ASCs, presented a picture of Maria De Mattias to Cindy LaFleur, CEO of Catholic Care Center, as a symbol of the transfer of sponsorship.

Sister Patty Owens, her mother Doris Owens, and Sr. Marsha Wilson look at pictures from Villa Maria’s early years.  Patty’s dad, Kenneth Owens, was a long-time member of the Villa Maria Board.