More than 147 years of service in Richmond ends
When a resident of a Little Sisters of the Poor home is nearing death, Little Sisters will gather at the bedside and sing “The Hail Mary,” a hymn.
“We still do that when we entrust them to Our Lady,” said Mother Jeanne Mary.
Thus, it was fitting that near the end of the farewell Mass for the Little Sisters at St. Joseph’s Home on Saturday, April 24, members of the religious community that have served the elderly poor for more than 147 years in Richmond sang the hymn.
The outdoor Mass of Thanksgiving, concelebrated by Bishop Barry C. Knestout and eight priests on the grounds of the home, drew more than 200 participants, including members of Little Sisters’ communities in Baltimore and Washington, residents, staff, volunteers and benefactors.
During his homily in which he detailed the history of the Little Sisters’ service in the diocese, the bishop, said, “Dear Little Sisters, we love you! We will miss you dearly! Thank you for your many kindnesses and generosity, for your example and devotion in consecration! We will remain with you in prayer and ask God’s blessing upon you now and in all the years to come.”
The Little Sisters announced in October 2019 that they would no longer be able to staff the home and that they were selling it. The onset of COVID-19 in March 2020 delayed those plans. In November, Accordius Health expressed interest in the facility, began its due diligence and agreed to purchase it this past March.
According to Sister Mary John, assistant administrator of St. Joseph’s Home since October 2019, the 12 Little Sisters who had been serving in Richmond will go to other homes operated by the religious order by June 1.
Three are going to Washington, four to Baltimore, two to Indianapolis and one each to Chicago, Mobile, Alabama and Pittsburgh.
Gratitude for volunteers
Charles Johnston, a member of St. Mary, Richmond, recounted memories from being a volunteer at the home for 14 years.
“The French Food Festival, getting to know the residents, reading at Mass — these were the best memories,” he said.
Johnston said he understood why the decision was made, i.e., fewer Little Sisters available to staff their homes, but he called it “sad for all involved.”
Terry Massie, a parishioner at St. Bridget, Richmond, who has volunteered at the home for eight years helping make beds, working in the gift shop and assisting at special events, called the Little Sisters’ departure “a passing — a very sad passing.”
She noted that the presence of Sister Collette, who served at the home for 30 years covering three assignments including volunteer coordinator from 2005-2019, was “ever present.”
“I miss her ‘God bless you! God bless you!’” Massie said.
She cited the employees’ “phenomenal attitude in care” modeled by the Little Sisters.
“When you are in a loving atmosphere, it affects you,” Massie said. “It will never be the same.”
Prior to the Mass, past and present volunteers lined up to greet Sister Collette, now part of the Little Sisters’ Baltimore community. Her first year in Richmond was at what she termed “the old home” — St. Sophia’s on Harvie Street — from 1967-1968.
“I have gratitude for the children and grandchildren of the residents of the old home who came here and volunteered,” she said. “The benefactors and all the people and the Benedictine priests, they were wonderful.”
Everyone was family
Rae Gerardi and her husband, members of St. Joseph, Richmond, have been residents at St. Joseph’s Home for nearly five years.
“The nuns have been wonderful. It’s heartbreaking just thinking about their leaving,” she said. “And the staff is wonderful. Just wonderful. Anytime you needed anything, they’re there.”
Sarah J. Hubbs recalled her first day of work at the home 12 years ago.
“A friend of mine recommended that I come here,” she said. “I was scared to death. I was a brand new nurse fresh out of school.”
What Hubbs experienced that day remained.
“The instant I walked into the home, it was nothing but comfort,” she said. “Our home has a spirit that no other home has. All of our staff care so much about our residents; they became our family, the sisters became part of our family. Every day when you come to work, they ask, ‘How are the kids? How’s your family?’”
Wiping away tears, Hubbs, a parishioner at St. Edward, North Chesterfield, added, “It’s been an experience like no other.”
Sister Mary John praised the employees for keeping the home safe during the pandemic.
“The sisters live here in the convent. We didn’t go out, and the residents stayed in,” she said. “The employees had to go home to their families, and they had to do the right thing on the outside. And then they had to come into work.”
Sister Mary John credited the activity staff for keeping the residents animated.
“That’s been a real crisis in the COVID situation. Our activity staff really tried to keep them going, keep them happy and keep them in contact with their families through Zoom and FaceTime,” she said. “They went over and above to do that.”
Mother Loraine Marie Clare, speaking near the end of Mass, reiterated the family atmosphere that permeated the home.
“We have considered our associates and benefactors, along with our residents and staff, a major part of our extended family,” she said, noting gratitude for the Benedictine priests and Bon Secours. “Without you we could not have carried on this work in the diocese.”
Noting that the home would no longer bear the name of St. Joseph, Mother Loraine Marie Clare said, “My deepest desire is that he will continue to watch over this little family for the many years to come.”
What made St. Joseph’s Home and all Little Sisters’ homes special, according to Sister Mary John, is that they “aren’t just facilities.”
“They have Jesus Christ in the center. He is in the chapel; he is the center of our home. There is the sense of him being the unifying factor of our family,” she said, noting that the Little Sisters’ love for residents is rooted in the Gospel mandate: “Whatever you do to the least of my brothers, you do to me.”
Sister Mary John added, “We have a fourth vow — hospitality. We truly live that because Christ has given us that mandate.”