Nazareth Living Center in south county recently celebrated the presence and services of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet on its property for 140 years.

Nazareth also recognized the 20th anniversary of the opening of all its programs to the general public. Before 1992, Nazareth was a retirement program designed exclusively for Catholic sisters.

The Most Rev. Robert J. Carlson, archbishop of St. Louis, recognized the double anniversary celebration Sept. 16 with a Mass followed by a reception for donors, current and past residents, staff, volunteers and longtime Nazareth supporters.

Also, the 2012 Celebration Committee has produced a keepsake historical cookbook with more than 400 recipes.

The “Taste of History” cookbook has many stories of the past 140 years, pictures of past residents and employees and testimonials. Recipes were collected from staff and other friends of Nazareth Living Center. The cookbooks can be purchased for $20 each and hundreds already have been sold.

Nazareth greeted the start of 2012 with great excitement in anticipation of the double anniversaries and other opportunities this year and in the years to come, according to a news release.

The construction of the Village at Nazareth’s 50 independent living apartment homes is well under way. And, to aid in support of this challenge, the Nazareth Living Center Foundation was launched at the start of the year.

The Nazareth Living Center Foundation, a nonprofit charitable organization, was created to help Nazareth Living Center best meet the needs and wishes of its more than 200 residents. The new foundation will strengthen Nazareth’s ability to raise, manage and report financial resources in a state-of-the-art manner, which will maintain donor trust, the release stated.