Thirty-five years ago, the Vincentian Sisters of Charity decided to take a leap of faith and transform the former Lumen Cordium High School, which was established in 1983 as an all-girls school in Bedford, into Light of Hearts Villa, an independent and assisted living facility. Light of Hearts is the English translation of the Latin Lumen Cordium.
The high school, which had been a ministry of the sisters, closed in 1987 because of declining enrollment.
Since then, thousands of people have found a home at Light of Hearts. The facility provides a continuum of care for those needing assisted living, respite care or memory care, according to Breanne Cavileer, executive director. Currently, about 80 people call the facility home.
Bishop Edward Malesic visited Light of Hearts Villa on Nov. 3 to celebrate the anniversary with Mass and to spend time with the residents, staff, benefactors, family and friends.
“This is a home to a wonderful family of faith,” he said in the spacious chapel that is dominated by a wall of colorful stained glass. “It is a place of healing, a holy place filled with hope and love.”
Concelebrating the liturgy was Father Wally Hyclak, a retired priest who assists at the facility. Jeff Stutzman, who is in formation for the permanent diaconate, served as the bishop’s master of ceremonies.
The Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged in 2004 with the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati. Light of Hearts Villa now is part of the Sisters of Charity Health System, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine. Members of the founding congregation were among those attending the celebration.
“Thank God for women in the Church,” the bishop said, referring to the countless contributions and ministries of religious sisters and lay women. He credited the sisters with establishing Light of Hearts to meet the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the residents “with a special focus on ensuring dignity and respect for all.” He said the facility has been a sanctuary for seniors in need of its services, calling it “an unmatched legacy in their caring for others.”
“We are strengthened by our common faith in God and our ability here to pray, reflect and worship God together. And over the years, what a goodness it has been to have the unwavering support of our local clergy and religious sisters, especially the Sisters of Charity of St. Augustine, as we journey together in faith,” he added.
The peaceful surroundings at Light of Hearts help remind us that no matter what our situation in life, God is always with us, the bishop said.
He recalled recent remarks by Pope Francis about illness and suffering, noting they present an opportunity to mature and grow in faith. “They ask for greater faith and greater trust in God. They are crosses that we bear, but Jesus told us to pick up the cross and follow him. That means always move forward with Jesus. He helps us to carry the load of every problem we have,” Bishop Malesic said.
He also talked about the fear of God, explaining that we shouldn’t be frightened of God. Instead, the fear Moses referred to in the Old Testament was a reverential awe of the power of God. “It is the fear that causes us to stutter and stumble, like we sometimes do when we come into the presence of a person of greatness, like the pope,” the bishop said, noting it happened to him when he met St. Pope John Paul II. “I didn’t know what to say to him. I didn’t know how to act in his presence, so I just stood there. I don’t remember saying anything.”
He said the fear of God is like that, but many times more. “Ultimately, it’s what happens naturally when we stand in the mystery of love itself.”
The bishop said Jesus never promised that life would be safe or easy. “Walking with Jesus is sometimes scary, in fact. Jesus is a demanding God. He is a God who tells us to welcome strangers, feed the hungry, turn the other cheek, walk with lepers, take care of the sick. He is a God who tells us to love without counting the cost and sometimes, the cost of love is very high. He tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves,” he added.
“But love is required of those who put God first. No, Jesus is not safe. He tells his disciples that we will need to drink from his cup of suffering from time to time. But God is good. God is the king – a loving king. And Jesus gives us advice as we walk with him, telling us, ‘Be not afraid,’” he said
“Fear God, but never be afraid of him because God is love, God is here and he is about to feed us with his very life-giving, saint-making food, the Eucharist. God is about to give himself to us once again.”
The bishop said God wants us all to be saints with him, “happy forever in his divine presence.”
At the end of Mass, the sisters led a litany of gratitude and the congregation prayed a prayer for peace in Ukraine, Israel and other troubled areas of the world.
The bishop greeted and posed for photos with residents, including those from Lumen Lane, the memory care unit, before joining the group for a reception.
Learn more about Light of Hearts Villa here and click here for details on the Sisters of Charity Health System and its ministries.