| For nearly 160 years, the IHM Sisters have been a joyful, loving
presence and a sign of hope to those in need. Our Sisters continue
to minister in classrooms, hospitals, parishes, and other settings
from Pennsylvania to North Carolina, from New York to Lima, Peru
and many places in between. I am Sister Mary Persico, president
of the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary of Scranton, Pennsylvania. I am here on behalf
of the more than 540 IHM Sisters from Scranton. And, more specifically,
I’m here as a voice for our elderly Sisters at the Marian
Convent.
The Marian Convent was opened in 1956 with room for 80 Sisters.
At the time, we thought we would never use all those rooms.
However, within 10 years, it was already filled to capacity
and a new addition was planned.
Now the Marian Convent is home to 130 elderly IHM Sisters.
Though not ever intended to be a nursing home, the type of care
given to the Sisters fits the criteria for “long term
care.” But clearly, the building is not sufficient…the
need for private bathrooms, air conditioning and ADA renovations
are just a few of the things worth mentioning. But don’t
get me wrong. The Sisters who live there aren’t complaining
– we, their Sisters want them to be in surroundings that
are safe and comfortable. We want them to be well as long they
can and we want to provide the resources they need to make that
happen.
We IHM Sisters are known for adapting to the changing needs
of the times. We try to look to the future and plan for the
possibilities that lie ahead. And that’s what we are doing
now.
We’re building a new retirement home for our Sisters.
And I think you’ll agree with me that they deserve it.
The new residence will have rooms with private bathrooms. It
will be air-conditioned. And it will have a medical clinic and
therapy rooms right on the first floor so that the Sisters won’t
have to travel to see the doctor.
But, as I said, we are looking to the future. We know that
we won’t always need all 120 rooms for IHM Sisters, so
we’re building the residence with the larger community
in mind. In the future, one floor at a time could be converted
to small living units so that apartments will become available
for elderly persons in the larger civic community.
We cannot accomplish this dream without your help. The cost
of construction of the new facility is fast approaching $20
million, and as you may suspect, we don’t have it. The
sale of the existing Marian Convent to Marywood University will
reduce our cost by $8,000,000, but we need to raise the additional
$12 million with the help of our families and friends. We know
we cannot build this building for our Sisters without help.
We’re counting on our family members, friends and former
students to honor the Sisters they know and love with a gift
to our capital campaign, “Building on a Lifetime of Service.”
In a word, we’re counting on you!
So many are helping us already. They tell us “It’s
time to say thanks.” Thanks to the IHM Sisters who taught
them piano lessons after school . . . thanks to the IHM Sisters
who taught them the basics of good grammar . . .thanks to the
IHM Sisters who made them lunch when they left theirs at home
. . .thanks to the IHM Sisters who sat at the bedsides of their
parents when they died. Is there an IHM Sister in your life
like that?
Our retired Sisters need a new home. It’s my responsibility
to provide the best care for them. I hope you agree with me
that they deserve nothing less.
We need your help. Please consider a gift to our capital campaign.
We cannot do this without you.
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