THANK YOU -- Sister Michelle Anne Reho, O.Carm.,
Administrator of St. Joseph's Manor, visits with residents.
The Carmelite Sisters will conclude their ministry on July
31. (Photo by John Glover)
BRIDGEPORT,
Monday, July 17, 2006 - On behalf of generations of residents
and their families in Fairfield County, Bishop William E. Lori
has thanked the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm for
their 46 years of service at St. Joseph's Manor in Trumbull, and
pledged that their sterling example of compassionate, Catholic
health care will continue.
"The Carmelite
Sisters have been an integral part of St. Joseph's Manor, touching
the lives of thousands over the years by their dedication, love,
and spiritual example," Bishop Lori says. "While it will be hard
to imagine life at the Manor without their presence, we will
honor their memory by continuing their rich legacy of compassionate,
holistic, Christ-centered care."
Conclusion
of Ministry
The Carmelite
Sisters will conclude their service at St. Joseph's Manor on July
31. The Sisters declined an invitation by the Diocese to remain
and oversee the Pastoral Care Services at St. Joseph's Manor and
its two other nursing homes in Fairfield County: Pope John Paul
II Center for Health Care in Danbury, and St. Camillus Health
Center in Stamford. This decision is based on the fact that the
Congregation considers it essential to integrate the Mission and
Philosophy of the Carmelite Sisters into every aspect of the facility,
including administration, and not solely Pastoral Care.
"We are grateful
to the Diocese of Bridgeport for giving us the opportunity to
serve at St. Joseph's Manor for more than four decades," says
Mother Mary Suzanne, O.Carm., Superior General. "We recognize
the efforts being made now in this new endeavor, and trust that
St. Joseph's Manor will continue to serve its residents with
compassion and love."
New Future
for Catholic Health Care
On May 1,
the Diocese announced it had entered into an agreement
with Harborside
Healthcare, one of the most respected nursing and long-term
care companies in the United States, to operate St. Joseph's Manor
and its two other nursing homes in Fairfield County: Pope John
Paul II Center for Health Care in Danbury, and St. Camillus Health
Center in Stamford.
Central to
the partnership is a unique agreement that the homes retain their
existing Catholic identity and mission. The Diocese will remain
responsible for all aspects of pastoral care. These homes will
remain Catholic, and the pastoral services residents have come
to expect and love will continue, including, for example, Catholic
chapels, daily Mass, dedicated Chaplains, and adherence to the
ethical and moral teachings of the Catholic Church.
The agreement
is expected to close on August 1.
Harborside
Healthcare will announce shortly the successor to Sister Michelle
Anne Reho, O.Carm., as the new Administrator of St. Joseph's Manor.
In the meantime, Sister Michelle is assisting the Diocese as it
organizes the pastoral care services for all three homes.
Prayers
and Blessings
"We certainly
regret that the Congregation's rich charism of spiritual care
will not continue at St. Joseph's Manor," Bishop Lori says, "but
the Catholic life and mission of all our homes will continue
and flourish with the help of our priests, laity, deacons, and
women religious. We part as friends, and extend God's richest
blessings on the Carmelite Sisters as they go forward in the
spirit of their Foundress, Mother M. Angeline Teresa, and continue
to serve the needs of the Church."
"We shall
continue to hold dear all those who were a part of our ministry
at St. Joseph's Manor, particularly our beloved residents, who
continue to reflect back to us the face of Christ," concludes
Sister Michelle. "May their lives be blessed through the days
ahead, and may they know that they shall always remain in our
hearts and, most especially, our prayers."
-30-
To
listen to the July 10, 2006, interview 
STAMFORD,
Thursday, July 20, 2006 - Bucking the trend across the nation,
the Diocese of Bridgeport is re-opening a Catholic school this
fall in the heart of the inner-city and reaffirming its commitment
to providing an outstanding, faith-based, and affordable educational
opportunity for every child.