Welcome and Introduction for Dooley Center Rededication
April 15, 2007

by Prioress Anne Shepard, OSB

"The care of the sick must rank first and above all else, so that they may truly be served as Christ." RB 36:1

Welcome to all of you who have joined us in celebrating the completion of our new monastery entrance and the renovation of Dooley Center. Given 144 year history, Dooley Center is but an infant. The four prioresses previous to my administration receive credit for this top quality, fully licensed care center. The original building was planned by Mother Mary Austin Schirmer and her council in 1969 and completed in 1971. Mother Mary Austin had a real love for the sick and decided that it was time to build an infirmary. She was able to solicit the help of many doctors in town to donate items to equip the medical rooms.

Sisters Noreen Hurter and Dorothy Wolters worked with Archbishop Strecker to begin a retirement fund. In February 1986 she accepted an initial check of $200,000 from him, the first of a ten year a commitment from the archdiocese totaling $2,900,657. S. Noreen also worked diligently to erase the building loan over a ten year period.

This building complex had been referred to by the sisters as "the annex" until it's 18th birthday in July 1989 when at the recommendation of S. Mary Agnes Patterson the community voted to rename it Dooley Center to honor the former Atchisonian native, Mother Lucy Dooley. The second major achievement of S. Mary Agnes was to lead the community into agreeing to have Dooley become a state licensed facility and thus make us eligible for Medicaid funds.

Shortly after S. Mary Collins was elected prioress in 1999, she led the community in a ten year planning process. Vision 2010 as it was called, included updating Dooley to expand the dining and living room spaces, as well as providing a "homeier" atmosphere. S. Mary spent countless hours with architects and committees shaping the space and selecting attractive, yet simple furnishings.

While our community and its leaders have judged the care of the sick a priority over the years, we are grateful to you friends, family members and staff who contribute to help us continue this care. Many of you were taught or worked with one or more resident. Whatever the reason, we are glad you are here. Let us call upon our loving God to bless the residents and renovated space.

Sister Anne (left) and three past prioresses: Sisters Noreen Hurter,
Mary Agnes Patterson, and Mary Collins

View more photos of the event