Our Philosophy

To fully understand our philosophy, one must first understand our history...

The Good Samaritan Retirement Center is owned and operated by the Chaldean Catholic Sisters. The Chaldean people originated from the ancient land of Mesopotamia, known today as Iraq.

Chaldean Catholics began immigrating to the United States towards the end of the 19th century, mostly in pursuit of a peaceful life. They were attracted to this country's guarantee of the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today there are 12 Chaldean parishes and more than 100,000 Chaldeans in the United States, with more than half a million other Chaldeans inhabiting the rest of the globe.

Chaldeans first arrived in San Diego in the 1950's. Today there are more than 15,000 Chaldeans in San Diego County, most of whom reside in El Cajon.

In Iraq, the Chaldean Sisters' most important work is serving the orphaned and the elderly. Mother Superior vowed that the Sisters' most important work in the United States would be to care for the elderly, to comfort them, and let them live their life with dignity- without rejection and isolation- so they feel more loved, cared for, and dignified in their golden years.

That philosophy is the reason for building Good Samaritan Retirement Center, which is the second center operated by the Chaldean Sisters. The other center (St. Thomas Retirement Center) is in Turlock, Northern California.