Category: Ministry Corner

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THE MINISTRY CORNER

GUIDING THE MISSION AND MINISTRY ON BEHALF OF OUR ELDERS

by Sister Theresa Marie Pfeffer, O.Carm.

Residents cheering for their Olympic Curling team
Sr. Theresa Marie visiting a resident
Sr. Theresa Marie greeting a resident

The Ministry Corner Guiding the Mission and Ministry on Behalf of Our Elders

Sr. Theresa Marie Pfeffer, O. Carm.

The bonds between the nursing home facilities and the Congregation of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, have always been close. Whether the Home is owned by the Congregation, or the Diocese, or has some other shared method of governance, the Sisters – keeping alive the spirit of Venerable Mother Angelines Teresa, O.Carm. – have always sought to enrich and guide the mission and ministry on behalf of the aged and infirm residents according to the charism and Philosophy of Care of the Carmelite Sisters. This means assuring at every level the Catholic identity of a facility, its adherence to the protection of the quality and sanctity of life for all receiving care, and conducting the ministry according to the principles and quality levels to which the Carmelite Sisters, and the Carmelite System, are dedicated whether they are clinical, spiritual, or human needs.

A dynamic way in which this is accomplished is by the assigning of a Sister General Councilor as the liaison to each nursing facility. This Sister visits the facilities assigned to her regularly, attends Board Meetings, and is present to the Administration and staff as an encouraging witness to the Carmelite mission. The Sister also remains present to the Carmelite Sisters in the local situation, paying attention to them and dialoguing with them as they engage in the hands-on ministry in each location. Within the facility, the Sister assists in setting things right when necessary, and facilitates the assurance that the care of the elderly is done correctly and according to established protocols, that no abuse or mismanagement is tolerated, and that each resident is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve and that has been promised to them. The Sister also can bring back to the General Council issues that needs to be treated at a higher level of management, and to engage system-wide improvements and upgrades so that Carmelite care is always up-to-date and forward directed.

Each local facility boasts of staff, Sisters, and volunteers who are talented and committed to long term health care conducted in an atmosphere of compassion and respect. The Sisters who visit from Avila are an important part of this mission, always seeking to build up in a truly Christian environment, a beautiful home for God’s elderly. Often, we don’t see the efforts that are made, and yet each contribution is critical and valuable.

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A Shared Mission for the Future

As the needs of older adults grow and change, it’s more important than ever for care communities to work together. Cabrini of Westchester and Marian Woods share a deep commitment to caring for the elderly with compassion and respect. By coming together under the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, these Catholic eldercare communities are building a stronger, more united future. Each brings its own history, values, and strengths – but together, they share one mission: to care for the elderly with kindness, dignity, and faith. This partnership ensures that their legacy of compassionate service will continue to grow and adapt, offering comfort and hope to generations to come.

Cabrini of Westchester

A community that reflects this shared vision is Cabrini of Westchester. Its roots go back to 1914, when Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini founded an orphanage in Dobbs Ferry, New York. Over time, that mission evolved into a long-term care facility, and today, Cabrini is part of the Carmelite System. This partnership honors the legacy of both the Cabrini and Carmelite congregations. It ensures that Cabrini’s tradition of faith-based, dignified eldercare continues within a broader network committed to holistic service and spiritual care.

Marian Woods

Marian Woods in Hartsdale, New York, offers a unique example of inter-congregational collaboration. Nestled beside the tranquil Harts Brook Preserve, Marian Woods is home to women religious from various congregations and provides a peaceful, faith-centered environment for retirement and community life. Now part of the Carmelite System, Marian Woods benefits from shared values and a common mission. This union brings both practical support and spiritual depth, allowing the community to thrive while continuing its focus on dignity, prayer, and sacred living.

Together, these Catholic communities show the power of unity in eldercare. They preserve their unique histories while strengthening their shared mission. Through collaboration, they offer not only consistent and compassionate care, but also a deeper sense of purpose—ensuring that aging is met with grace, dignity, and love.

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The Ministry Corner: Saint Patrick’s Manor, Framingham, MA

Our Dedicated Housekeeping Staff

Jesus busy in the largest long-term care laundry in the State
Karine receiving a treat for her staff
Leandro Almeida Healthcare Services with Sr. Kathleen John McLinden

Sr. Kathleen John McLinden, O. Carm.

What makes a house a home? Here at St. Patrick’s Manor, it is the obvious commitment and dedication of our staff. Everyone knows how important it is for all the residents to have a neat and clean environment, ensuring they feel safe and can move around their rooms freely. At St. Patrick’s Manor, safety is the top priority for residents, staff, and families alike. We are blessed with a dedicated housekeeping staff whose focus and dedication are to ensure a home-like environment.

Our staff includes Leandro, Healthcare Service Account Manager of 20 years, and is responsible for 28 employees, 3 porters, and laundry staff, who serve 258 residents in nine units. These employees are dedicated to our core values of Hospitality and Shared Commitment, working together to provide a clean and neat home-like setting. Employees witness the love, care, respect, and compassion shown to the residents and many are long-term employees, working 34 years and 10 years, for example, while enjoying their jobs. Their care for residents is genuine and obvious.

They embody “The Difference is Love.” The dedicated staff pour their hearts into maintaining this cleanliness, tirelessly working to create a warm, welcoming, and supportive atmosphere where residents feel cherished and loved.

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Ministry Corner: Rehabilitation

This year, we are reflecting on a momentous milestone as the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm reaches its 95th anniversary of their foundation! Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence in West Palm Beach, FL is a mirror of work started by the Carmelite Sisters who established this facility in 1960 and expanded it in 1964. 

Now, Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence is known and sought out for our all-star therapy department. Our short-term therapy department strives to help address resident-specific needs with an individualized holistic treatment plan to address balance, strength, endurance, range of motion, functional ability, communication, and swallowing. The team uses positive encouragement, engaging activities/exercises, family involvement, and plenty of education. The greatest achievement for the therapy department is to watch their residents walk out the front door to return home with their loved ones, able to care for themselves again with revived strength and functional abilities. 

Residents may need short-term therapy. Our therapists specialize in rehabilitation for residents who had joint-replacement surgery, a stroke, heart surgery, cardiac disease, gastrointestinal illnesses, renal disease, or pneumonia, and/or injuries after a fall. Treatment focuses on improving balance, strength, endurance, and overall functional mobility, and is customized to treat each resident’s individual needs. Our occupational therapists create a plan of care to help residents regain everyday skills needed to perform daily tasks – doing laundry, dressing, and preparing meals. If residents are experiencing challenges with speech, communication, and swallowing, usually following an event such as a stroke, our speech therapist effectively improves these skills. 

Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence is excited to announce the introduction of a specialized treatment program being provided by certified therapists targeting residents with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Lee Silverman Voice Treatments (LSVT) are research-based treatment protocols designed specifically to address the motor, sensory and non-motor symptoms that many people with PD face. Lourdes Noreen McKeen Residence has the only therapy department within a senior living community with specially trained LSVT certified clinicians that can offer these treatment programs in the West Palm Beach area.  

But our residents also receive something in addition to our expertise staff and specialized treatment programs. Our therapy team gives them hope and the support needed to create goals that will keep them motivated to keep moving forward during their rehabilitation. Our therapy team strives to provide all services with kindness in conformity with our beloved Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa ideals. As she famously said: ‘If you fail, let it be on the side of kindness. Be kinder than kindness itself to the old people.’ 

Speech language pathologist (SLP) during a dysphagia treatment cuing the resident for an effortful swallow. SLP’s hand place on resident’s larynx to assess strength of laryngeal muscles during his swallow. 

This group photo includes various departments – Activities, Rehab, Nursing and Administration. “Together we can make a difference. Let us help you reach your goal with caring hands caring hearts.” 

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Teaching Religious Sisters Around the World How to Age Well Together

by Shane Cooney, AIG Head of Education

Above: Sisters from around the world with AIG Director, Sr. M. Peter Lillian Di Maria, O.Carm., and AIG Faculty and Staff, Deacon Tony Silvestro, Phillip McCallion, and Shane Cooney.

Communities of religious women in many countries around the world are facing the challenge of how Sisters can provide the appropriate care and support for their aging members. Unfortunately, many Religious Congregations have neither the funds nor the support systems in place.

In 2022, the Avila Institute of Gerontology and the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm discussed options to answer these needs. The Avila Institute was blessed to receive a $720k grant to develop Sisters Aging Well Together (SAWT), a Congregational eldercare enablement program offered as a pilot program to 12 Sisters from different Communities representing Mexico, India, Ghana, Kenya, and Zambia. The goal of this program is to provide an opportunity for the Sisters to learn more about how to care for their aging Sisters. They will then be charged with sharing this information and teaching their own Communities and other Communities as the eldercare networks in these countries continue their development.

Beginning in March 2023, the 12 Sisters began receiving formative education on various concepts and practices in gerontology, person-centered care, and care of the aged in the Community setting, based on Mother Angeline’s philosophy of being “kinder than kindness itself” and treating each of our cherished aged and infirm as a unique human being. They attended classes with AIG faculty twice per week via video conference in the AIG Learning Center to complete 50 hours of education, assignments, and evaluations.

In July 2023, 10 of the 12 Sisters were able to come Avila for one month and had an opportunity to tour the Teresian House in Albany, New York. During this time, the Sisters were also able to attend in-person classes that allowed for additional opportunities for discussion, information sharing, and relationship building. A considerable amount of time was given to exploring care plans and being introduced to the AIG Care Transitions Tool, which is an instrument designed to help Sisters assess the readiness to care for the aged in their Communities.

At the end of their visit at Avila, the Sisters spent more time at St. Patrick’s Manor, where they were able to see how the Carmelite Sisters operate a long-term care Home. Once the Sisters return to their homes in August, AIG will continue to meet with them to assist with the implementation of the Care Transitions Tool and to provide ongoing support. In this way, AIG will continue to be with the Sisters each step of the way as they plan for their future—one in which they will age well together.