Diocese, Sylvania Franciscans partner for new senior housing |
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Sunday, 04 January 2009 01:00 |
SYLVANIA—The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, in conjunction with the Catholic Diocese of Toledo, are planning to expand their health ministry through the addition of a new senior living complex, St. Clare Commons, in Perrysburg.
Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC) are a growing trend in senior living and St. Clare Commons is to be the first Catholic-based CCRC located in the greater Toledo area. The new complex, which is part of the Franciscan Services Corporation (FSC), and administered by Franciscan Living Communities, is to be built adjacent to Perrysburg Blessed John XXIII. FSC has a purchase agreement on 23 acres next to the site of the parish. The Diocese of Toledo has also committed to donating another 27 acres of their land to complete the project.
The project is named after St. Clare of Assisi who was one of the first followers of St. Francis of Assisi. She founded the Order of Poor Ladies, a monastic religious order for women in the Franciscan tradition, commonly referred to today as the Poor Clares.
“The development will be completed over time and include all levels of care. Our goal is to build a campus that can address individuals’ needs from independent living to assisted living, to special care such as dementia,” stated Sister Diana Lynn Eckel, congregational minister of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Sylvania.
“When completed, this complex will accept individuals of all faiths, and will provide a unique opportunity for the diocese to be closely affiliated with a senior community and provide ongoing spiritual programs,” commented Father Michael Billian, episcopal vicar and moderator of the Curia of the Diocese of Toledo.
Health and human services have always been a cornerstone of the mission of the Sylvania Franciscans. The sisters already have facilities in the greater Toledo area including Convent Park Apartments, Rosary Care Center and Franciscan Care Center, all located in Sylvania. They also sponsor Providence Care Centers in Sandusky, another CCRC in the diocese. Other non-diocese locations include St. Leonard in Centerville, Ohio, and Madonna Manor in northern Kentucky.
“The plan is to have the land purchase finalized in early 2009 and break ground on the first phase by 2010,” announced Sr. Eckel. “We are very excited about the new project and cannot wait to see it realized.”
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 03 March 2009 13:39 |
