“Care of the sick must rank above and before all else,
so that they may truly be served as Christ.” —Rule of St. Benedict
The newly remodeled Transitional Care Unit in the Benedictine Health Center was blessed today, September, 29, 2015. Sister Beverly Raway, OSB, prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth, MN , presided at the blessing.
Attendees included Brian Pattock, the Director of the Skilled Nursing areas which include the Transitional Care Unit, Chaplain Marianne Snyder, BHS Director of Chaplaincy Services, Chaplain Dayle Peterson, chaplain and also guitarist, Sister Mary Susan Dewitt, other Sisters, and members of the Unit’s staff and BHC personnel.
Marianne Snyder began the ceremony with a reading from the Rule of St. Benedict which expanded on the quote above.
The assembly sang a song, accompanied on guitar by Sister Mary Susan, which included these stanzas:
With cups full of joy we bless these halls.
Bring peace where Your people will stay.
May recovery take place with protection from falls.
For this we humbly pray.
“How grateful we feel to celebrate
Our amazing new transitional space!
Four thousand square feet of bricks and cement
Now a lovely Benedictine place!
The Transitonal Care Unit is a place for healing and rehabilitation.
TCU has caring staff, a new state of the art therapy wing, 30 private rooms with private baths and modern amenities to make the patient’s healing stay as comfortable as possible.
Sunshine flows through this beautiful space with large windows which overlook lovely views.
Sister Beverly led a responsorial prayer from Psalm 41:
“. . . Happy are they who have concern for the helpless and poor.
In the day of their own struggles the Most High will deliver them.
“God will protect them and give them life, make them secure in the land, and not leave them to the will of their foes.
When they are sick, God will support them. . . .”
Sister Bevery and Chaplains Marianne and Dayle performed the blessing of the Unit. Using cedar sprigs each room was blessed with holy water as was the spacious reception area and not least, the nurses’ station.
And all prayed for the Staff with this special blessing:
May the light of your soul guide you.
May the light of your soul bless the work you do.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing and renewal
to those who work with you
and to those who see and receive your care and compassion.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiriation, and excitement.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
Amen.
Excerpts from Blessings of John O’Donohue.