Saturday, October 12th, 2013, was a milestone in the history and life of our US Province. On that day, for the first time in our Province an assisted care facility was formally opened and blessed. In a sense it had been a long journey to this day. After talking about retirement for many years, our Leadership Team worked with us to take a more serious look at where we were in terms of retirement. Some planned to return to Ireland while others considered the possibility of retiring in the US.
Catherine’s trust in Providence was evidenced when Bishop Gerald Barnes and the diocese of San Bernardino transferred St. James Convent, Perris, CA to our Mercy Province. The Bishop felt that the diocese owed a great debt of gratitude to the Sisters of Mercy for the dedicated service they have given to the church and diocese over many years. Through a process of studying, reflecting, and praying, our Leadership Team, facilitated by Donna Fyffe, discerned that St. James Convent was the place and space to “mine and harvest the diamonds of our lives”. The National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) gave a significant grant towards refurbishment as an assisted care facility.
Blessing: Left to Right: Srs. Kathleen Hanley, Rosaline O’Connor, Monsignor John Ryan Srs. Maura Feeley, Noreen O’Connor
St. James holds happy memories for many of our sisters, some of whom have returned to Ireland and others to their eternal reward. We also recall with gratitude the wonderful hospitality with which we were welcomed to numerous gatherings there over many years, right up to last spring.
Reconstruction began in March and when we heard that the work was nearing completion we awaited with eager expectation the invitation to the opening. October 12th was the appointed date for the opening and blessing of our new assisted care facility. On that day we arrived from San Bernardino, Redlands, Sun City, San Diego and Poway. Monsignor John Ryan, who had served as Pastor at St. James many years ago, also came to bless and to celebrate.
The front lawn of the convent had previously been a grassy area with a few rose bushes which had been carefully nurtured by Sr. Marie Therèse, R.I.P. Now the lawn is newly landscaped with roses and shrubs already in bloom. However, it was when we entered the building that that our eyes were agape. The major structural changes were a newly constructed and suitably furnished sun room with a glass door entrance from the community room. This led to the garden which used to be the back patio, period! Now it is complete with pathways, flower beds, a green area, a fountain and garden seats. Two of the former bedrooms were extended to make them wheelchair accessible. All of the bedrooms, corridors, kitchen, dining room etc. have been newly painted and appliances have been replaced.
Backyard & waterfall
Before the blessing, Mercy Associates served refreshments. Then we proceeded with the blessing, giving thanks, reflecting and praying abundant blessings on the house and on all who will make this their home for a longer or shorter time. We took time to allow our memories and gratitude to surface as we listened to the song, There Is a Place : “There is a time for remembering, a time to recall…” We could readily unite with St. Peter when he said to Jesus, “Lord, how good it is to be here”.
The blessing ritual started outside the entrance door as symbolic of crossing into a new world, a new experience, a new life. A candle was blessed- a symbol of light and transformation. This candle with holy water was carried as each area of the house was blessed. After the threshold was blessed we prayerfully entered and Fr. John sprinkled holy water in the four directions – north, south, east and west. Holy water and a prayer card had been placed in each room. As we entered, each of us made a “pilgrimage” around the house praying our own blessing. As we sprinkled the room we recited the prayer which reflected the function of each room and space – bedroom, kitchen, computer room, garden etc. Soft music accompanied us on our “pilgrimage”.
Chapel
A special blessing was reserved for the Community Room when, with hands raised, we prayed that this place be a center of recreation and fun, of relaxation and peace; a place where joys and sorrows are shared. We prayed that all who meet here be gifted with Catherine’s trust in Divine Providence. The house had yet to be “Christened” and all of us had a hand in doing that. Each Sister wrote the name of her choice. From the variety of names suggested, McAuley Mercy House was chosen as the new name for the former St. James Convent.
Knowing that we were now on holy ground we joined in singing Monica Brown’s song “Holy Ground” recalling also the refrain of
“There Is a Place”:
“In the quiet of the evening at the close of our day
We will rest on the journey; to the Lord we shall pray.
May we thank God for blessings, for the moments we’ve shared
As we seek for tomorrow, our God will be there”.
Our visit to Perris ended with a delicious lunch and we left with much gratitude and a prayer in our hearts for the future of our assisted care facility.
Buiochas le Dia!
Camillus Gavigan rsm
US Province
