HEALTHCARE: Promoting Wellness in Mind, Body and Spirit
SISTER JOANNE BEDNAR VISITS ST. CATHERINE’S
Sister Joanne Bednar, SCC, who succeeded Sister Margaret Thomas as Delegate for Religious in the Newark Archdiocese, paid an informal visit to St. Catherine Convent and Health Care Facility on February 14. After re-connecting with Sister Margaret Thomas and with Sister Margaret Charles, who taught her in elementary school, Sister Joanne toured the second floor Healthcare area where she was impressed by the excellent staff and patient accommodations. Sister had met many Caldwell Sisters at the Archdiocesan celebration on February 5.
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| Sisters Marietta Anne, Margaret Charles and Joanne | standing:Sisters Margaret Charles, Jane Marie, Joanne, Marietta Anne seated: Sister Margaret Thomas |
St. Catherine of Siena Convent opened its doors on December 12, 1962 as a home for the infirm and retired Sisters of St. Dominic. This was the fulfillment of Mother Aquinas’ greatest desire and expertly carried out by her successor Mother Dolorita.
On “Moving Day” there were fourteen patients who made the Infirmary (as it was commonly called) their new home. At the height of its growth, the Infirmary housed eighty-eight infirm and retired sisters.
With the passing of time and the diminishing number of sisters, a decision was made to apply to the State of New Jersey for a license as a skilled nursing facility in order to maximize the use of the building and extend this gift of compassionate care beyond members of the Caldwell Dominican community.
In March of 1998, St. Catherine of Siena Inc. became its own corporation and began the licensure process. After extensive renovations to the building, St. Catherine’s became licensed as a 30 bed skilled nursing facility in 2001. In the Dominican tradition of hospitality and outreach to those in need, skilled nursing care is now extended to members of other religious communities, the clergy and family members of the Caldwell Dominican sisters
Introducing!
St. Catherine of Siena Healthcare Team Leaders
Team Leaders (front row) Sister Patricia Mahoney, OP – Pastoral Care; Annmarie Snedeker, RN, MSW – Director of Nursing; (back row) Sister Jane Marie Smith, OP – Local Superior; Deirdre Radtke, LNHA – Administrator; Kathryn Richards – Activities Director.
