Helping Those in Need, One Rosary at a Time — New Hope’s Rosary Makers

Barb Hemberger • July 21, 2023

If you ask someone what object is most emblematic of Catholics, many people will say, “the Rosary.” They may be thinking of Rosary prayer beads – the string of knots or beads – but the Rosary is actually a set of prayers, and the beaded string is an aid for saying the prayers in their proper sequence.


The Rosary is a devotion in honor of the Virgin Mary. In simple terms, it consists of a set number of specific prayers – one Apostles’ Creed, one Our Father, three Hail Mary’s, and one Glory Be.


The physical makeup of the rosary is surprisingly complex and making them can be almost meditative, and rewarding. Just ask the small group of residents at Saint Therese of New Hope that make rosaries every week.



The group is led by Marguerite Winker, who has been making rosaries for eight years; the other rosary makers include Carole Iverson and Irene Boos.

The three women work quietly while they make the rosaries, concentrating on the elements that go into the string of beads, which consists of 53 six- to eight-millimeter beads for the “decades”; six larger separator beads, 14 short pieces of chain to connect the decade beads, the separator beads, and the rosary components; wire or headpins; a rosary connector medal, a cross or crucifix; and four open jump rings. Winker said it takes about 25 minutes to create one rosary.

The group makes rosaries in bunches of ten and when they get to a quantity of 100, they hand them off to Adam Dvorak, Volunteer Services Coordinator at New Hope, who sends them to the Missionary Sisters of St. Peter Claver in St. Paul. These folks then send the rosaries to Ghana and India. (The Sisters of St. Peter Claver are a Catholic religious congregation of women dedicated to serving the spiritual and social needs of the poor around the world, particularly in Africa.)

Boos said she began making rosaries to do something worthwhile and said it’s interesting to think about people in other countries who don’t have them.



And Winker added, “I make them because I like the idea of people in other lands praying my rosary.”

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At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

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2025 Senior Health: Progress, Challenges, and Key State Insights

By Barb Hemberger • May 23, 2025
The 2025 America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report was recently released, offering a comprehensive overview of the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. The report, based on 55 measures from 24 distinct data sources, highlights both strides made and challenges persisting in senior health. While there is encouraging progress in areas like reduced early death rates and strengthened social connectedness among older adults, significant mental and behavioral health challenges remain. Key Findings from the Report Falls and obesity rates have stabilized after peaking earlier this decade. The number of geriatric clinicians increased by 5 percent, marking the highest rate ever recorded by the rankings. Volunteerism saw a 19 percent increase between 2021 and 2023. The healthiest state for older adults was Vermont, followed by Colorado, Washington, Utah, and Connecticut. Meanwhile, Mississippi ranked as the least healthy state, with Louisiana, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kentucky following suit. Insights from States with Saint Therese Senior Communities Minnesota ranked 7th overall, placing it among the top 10 healthiest states for older adults. It showed a promising 13 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between 2021 and 2024. However, the state also experienced a significant 23 percent rise in depression rates among adults aged 65 and older, increasing from 12.8 to 15.7 percent between 2018 and 2023. Michigan secured the 21st spot in the rankings. The state showed notable improvements, including an 18 percent drop in falls, decreasing from 32.6 to 26.7 percent of adults aged 65 and older between 2014 and 2023. Additionally, cognitive difficulty rates decreased by 13 percent, from 8.8 to 7.7 percent during the same period. Ohio ranked 36th overall, but one bright spot was a significant 35 percent increase in the number of geriatric clinicians between September 2019 and September 2024. Positive Signs for Volunteering The news about volunteering is a positive sign as emerging evidence shows that older adults who volunteer regularly have fewer cognitive complaints and a lower risk for dementia compared with those who do not volunteer regularly. At Saint Therese, volunteers are as much a part of our organization as our residents, families, visitors, and employees. We rely on and value the countless hours and dedication of those who support our mission by volunteering in our communities. We are always looking for volunteers. To find out more, or to apply to be a volunteer, please visit us here. The Bottom Line The 2025 Senior Report, produced by the United Health Foundation, underscores the complexities of senior health in the United States. While strides have been made in areas such as access to specialized care and volunteer engagement, persistent challenges like obesity, depression, and behavioral health highlight the need for continued efforts. The Report serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing work needed to ensure a healthier future for older adults across the nation.