Why Villa Living Appeals to Retirees in Johnson County
Across Johnson County, many homeowners have spent years in the same house. Leawood. Overland Park. Prairie Village. Lenexa. These are homes that have been well…
Santa Marta recently hosted a five-day Advent retreat that brought residents together in prayer, reflection, and renewed spiritual connection. Led by Vincentian Missionary Priest Father Richard Gielow, C.M., the retreat consisted of daily Mass, ecumenical reflections, and opportunities for spiritual counsel and was open to residents, families, and friends of the community. Father Gielow, a nationally recognized retreat director and preacher, stayed on campus throughout his visit, allowing for meaningful connection and pastoral presence during this sacred season.
Santa Marta is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas. Our Advent retreat for seniors marked several meaningful firsts for our community, including the first Masses ever celebrated in the community’s health care chapel in December. Father Gielow also led one-hour interfaith reflection sessions open to individuals of all faith traditions, emphasizing the themes of Advent — hope, peace, joy, and love.
“Faith is at the heart of everything we do at Santa Marta,” said Colleen Hollestelle, President and CEO of Santa Marta. “Bringing Father Gielow to our campus created a beautiful opportunity for residents to pause, reflect, and reconnect spiritually during Advent. The impact was deeply felt across our community.”
Each reflection session was preceded by half an hour of music and art, offering residents a contemplative space to prepare their hearts and minds. Father Gielow was also available throughout his stay for confession, spiritual guidance, and individual pastoral conversations.
Residents described the retreat as uplifting, personal, and deeply meaningful.
“What a blessing,” said resident Pam Morrison, who helped plan the retreat. “Given the depth and breadth of Father Gielow’s training and experience, I was impressed by how down-to-earth, approachable, humorous, and pastoral he was. We walked out feeling encouraged and renewed.”
Resident Marilyn Bohnert shared, “Father Gielow was a speaker who lifted me up. I felt ‘born again.’ He helped us seniors look forward with hope to what’s still to come.”
For resident David Groebe, the timing of the retreat was especially meaningful. “Advent is such a sacred, joyful time, and so often I miss it because of the distractions of the season,” he said. “This retreat helped us truly tune into the hope, peace, joy, and love of Advent.”
Another resident, Michelle Hamel, reflected, “Father Gielow was wonderful and so engaging. He captured 100% of my attention, and I felt like he was speaking directly to me.”
The Advent retreat reflects Santa Marta’s ongoing commitment to spiritual vitality and lifelong faith formation, offering residents meaningful opportunities to grow, connect, and worship within a supportive Catholic community.
As the Advent season came to a close, the conversations, reflections, and renewed sense of purpose sparked by Father Gielow’s visit continue to resonate throughout the Santa Marta campus — strengthening both faith and fellowship among those who call it home.
Father Gielow, born in La Salle, Illinois, was ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Mission of Saint Vincent de Paul in 1970. He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, a Master of Divinity in theology, and a master’s degree in religious education from The Catholic University of America. Over his decades of ministry, he has served as Director of Vocations for the Vincentian Fathers and Brothers; Rector and Principal of St. John’s High School Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri; and a long-standing member of the Vincentian Parish Mission Team.
Today, Father Gielow serves as Director of the Vincentian Parish Mission Center in Kansas City and as National Spiritual Advisor to the Ladies of Charity of the United States of America.
Open to residents of all faiths, Santa Marta supports residents on their individual spiritual paths. If you’d like to learn more about our faith-filled community, contact one of our senior living counselors today.
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