“God sends these people to us as gifts,” Bishop Edward Malesic told the leadership and employees of Mercy Health Hospital in Lorain, referring to those who seek medical care. He noted that the staff helps them both physically and spiritually, adding, “You help them find eternal life and help them to become saints.”
“A number of people in this hospital are becoming saints by doing two things, loving God and helping people,” the bishop added.
His Oct. 17 visit to the hospital was part of the celebration of its 130th anniversary of providing health care in Lorain County. The Lorain hospital originally was staffed by Franciscan Sisters from Tiffin, Ohio. However, when the Diocese of Toledo was established in 1910, the sisters were called to minister there. The Humility of Mary Sisters, who had been ministering in the Cleveland Diocese since its early years, took over service at the Lorain hospital and continued ministering there for many years.
The bishop also learned that Mercy Health is working with St. Vincent Medical Center in Cleveland -- which announced it will end in-patient services next month -- to help displaced employees find new positions in the Catholic hospital.
During his visit, the bishop met with hospital leadership to learn about the facility’s history, service and Catholic mission. He also took a brief tour of the hospital, met with some health care workers and chaplains and anointed a couple of patients before presiding at a prayer service in the chapel in thanksgiving for the hospital’s 130 years of service. Assisting him was Father Damian Ezeani, Mercy Health Lorain’s full-time Catholic chaplain.
“We do what we do not because others are Catholic, but because we are,” the bishop said. He told hospital staff and leadership that what they do in Jesus’ name is done for him. “You’re giving love because you have love. You can only give what you have received.”
He commended the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, several of whom traveled from their motherhouse in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania to attend the prayer service and reception.
“We give thanks for the compassionate, holistic health care provided here and the sisters were such an important part of that,” the bishop added. “Thank you for allowing me to see people who are the face of Jesus.”
He acknowledged that it takes a village to run a hospital, noting his original intention was to become a medical technologist – until he felt a call to the priesthood. “I have a good sense of the motivation and drive of those who work here. Your task is an awesome one as you work to heal the body but listen to the person and care for the whole person – body and soul. We want to take care of the body on earth, but remember there is a greater call to eternal life. We are blessed by your vocation,” he added.
The Gospel told the story of the Good Samaritan who cared for his neighbor – the one closest to him who was in need. During the pandemic, the bishop said the hospital and its employees did what needed to be done, despite the circumstances.
“Love is not found in a pilgrimage to Rome, but in the person in need who is closest to us. The path to eternal life is here in this hospital, caring for those sidelined by health needs,” Bishop Malesic said.
He blessed a new panel sharing the most recent chapter of Mercy Health Lorain’s history for the hospital’s history wall. A special blessing also was offered for the Humility of Mary Sisters.
“On behalf of all of our sisters, thank you for continuing the mission of health care in Lorain County. We are grateful for your prayers,” said Sister Carole Ann Griswold, HM who retired recently as the hospital’s vice president of mission.
A reception took place after the prayer service.
Mercy Health merged with Bon Secours, another Catholic health care system, in 2018 to become Bon Secours Mercy Health. It is the fifth-largest Catholic health care systems in the country and one of the nation’s 20 largest health care systems. It operates 23 hospitals plus nursing care facilities, assisted living facilities and home care and hospice programs in seven states. Bon Secours Mercy Health headquarters are located in Cincinnati. The health system’s mission is “to extend the compassionate ministry of Jesus by improving the health and well-being of our communities and brings good help to those in need, especially people who are poor, dying and underserved.”