Deacon Mark Yantek, executive director of Regina Health Center in Richfield, welcomed residents, staff and families to Mass on Aug. 22 as part of Regina’s 30th anniversary celebration.
Bishop Edward Malesic celebrated the liturgy with Father John Chlebo, diocesan delegate for senior priests and a member of Regina’s board of directors, as concelebrant.
(See photo gallery above.)
“There are so many powerhouses of the diocese here,” the bishop said referring to the many people who helped launch the innovative facility and those who have called it home over the years. Some residents who were able to attended the Mass while others watched a live broadcast in their rooms.
Many religious men and women have spent time at Regina, a collaborative ministry sponsored by the Sisters of Charity Health System. It provides compassionate and holistic health care services primarily for members of religious communities, clergy and for others needing supportive services or residential nursing care.
The Mass took place on the celebration of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The bishop said she is the one who continues to pray for us. “She has the ear of Jesus. She always tells us, ‘Do whatever he tells you to do,’” he said, adding she has a share of Christ’s kingdom in heaven.
“She serves as a reminder that women are extremely important in our Church,” the bishop said, noting that without her, Jesus would not have been born. He said she was rewarded for her fiat and sacrifices by being lifted into heaven – body and soul – after her death.
Recalling the last line of The Hail Mary, “Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death,” he said, “She does.”
Today’s troubled world needs an advocate and Mary fills that role, Bishop Malesic said, noting how much loneliness and heartbreak there is. “Others may abandon us, but Jesus and his mother remain with us always, even at the hour of our death.”
Recalling the last months of his sister’s life, before her death at a young age from an aggressive form of cancer, he said, “I know she wasn’t alone. There were angels and saints everywhere,” something that gave him and his family peace.
“That happens here on this magnificent, beautiful campus in Richfield. This is a holy and peaceful place,” he said, glancing around the spacious chapel.
The bishop thanked the caregivers for their dedication. “You serve the residents daily without fanfare and accolades.”
In addition, he asked for prayers for the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine and their vision to establish Regina.
Twenty-two religious congregations from the Diocese of Cleveland and the Diocese of Youngstown made the groundbreaking decision to collaborate on Regina Health Center to ensure the long-term health care needs of their priests, deacons, religious sisters and laity, the bishop explained.
Bishop Malesic also credited CSA congregational leader Sister Judith Ann Karam for her contributions to Regina Health Center. She was unable to attend the Mass, but representatives of the CSAs and some other sponsoring congregations were present. Several retired priests who live at Regina concelebrated the liturgy.
The facility occupies what had been known as Mount St. Augustine, the CSAs motherhouse. Built in 1957, it sits on 230 acres of land and is a state-of-the-art nursing facility dedicated to serving the aging religious. The sisters raised more than $7.5 million to renovate and convert the building for its new use.
When it opened in 1993, Regina Health Center was the first collaborative health care facility of its kind in the country.
Over the years, Regina has been expanded and renovated to meet the changing needs of health care and its residents.
As a Catholic, faith-based organization, Regina extends the healing mission of Jesus and is committed to several values, including the dignity of each person, the belief that each person has the right to live fully and participate in community life, personal life and decisions that affect one’s well-being, collaboration on all levels, and respect and a spirit of compassion that promote holistic health care delivery and quality of life.
After Mass, the bishop joined some Regina residents in the dining room for lunch and conversation.
Click here to watch a video about Regina Health Center.