Care and Service Week at St. Anne Home Begins With Bishop Kulick’s Opening Mass

By Cliff Gorski
Executive Editor
The Catholic Accent

Greensburg – May 10, 2022 – This week, St. Anne Home is honoring its more than 250 employees with “Care and Service Week.” Bishop Larry J. Kulick, JCL, celebrated Mass in the chapel for residents, staff and volunteers to honor those who provide care and service to the residents.

During his homily, Bishop Kulick encouraged residents and staff to continue to place their trust in God.

“When we find ourselves with illness, whether chronic or passing, we must not allow evil to tell us to refuse our cross,” he said. “We must not allow evil to come into our minds and break down our joy.”

Bishop Kulick highlighted the importance of St. Anne Home within the Diocese of Greensburg as a Catholic facility serving all faiths while staying true to the mission of the Church.

“This facility cares for many priests, the parents of priests and, from generation to generation, is caring for so many who have devoted their time in service to our parishes and churches,” he said.

Among those providing compassionate service and care are Sister Amala Jose, who is entering her 25th year of religious life, and Sister Rose Therese Nellivila, who is in her 35th year of religious life. Sister Rose has been at St. Anne Home for 21 years. This is Sister Amala’s 12th year of service.

The sisters from India are part of the Congregation of the Daughters of Mary, a religious community of about 1,100 sisters ministering in Europe, Africa and the United States. They are currently living in community with the Felician Sisters, who have operated the facility since its creation in 1964.

Both sisters are trained nurses. They are on duty from 2:30 to 11 p.m., but it is not uncommon for them to provide care around the clock at Villa Angela, the personal care facility at St. Anne Home.

“When there is a need, we go,” said Sister Amala. “We live with the Felician Sisters, and this is their ministry, and it is our ministry, too.”

Sister Rose said they think of the patients as if they were their own parents.

“When they get sick, we stay at their sick bed. If they go into the hospital, we go to visit them, and if they die, we go to the funeral home and the funeral Mass,” she said.

As part of their ministry of care and compassion, the sisters are with their patients when they pass away. They conduct a “Journey to New Life” in which all of the sisters in service to the facility gather with the family in prayer and then escort their loved one, while singing “Jesus, Remember Me,” to the front of the facility, where they offer a prayer and a final blessing.

One of the sisters’ greatest joys is taking residents to morning Mass at the chapel or bringing the Eucharist to residents unable to attend.

“We want to be part of Jesus’ healing ministry,” Sister Amala said. “We want to be Jesus’ face when they see us.”  

The care and support they give is mutual, as their work here benefits their community in India, enabling them to support and help the poor there.

As Care and Service Week continues, many events are planned at the facility, including honoring individual staff members on its Facebook page and a carnival that includes lunch provided by the administration. The sisters appreciate the attention this week, but their gratitude comes from being able to provide the mercy of Christ for those in their care.

“The residents love and care shown towards us is our best honor,” Sister Amala said.