Threshold - Summer 2006

(not so) New and (greatly) Improved!
by Marcia Ziska, OSB

Thirty-five years ago, Dooley Center opened and was considered a “state of the art” infirmary. As a community, we were very proud of this new facility. The staff provided excellent care for the sisters needing health care. In 1993, Dooley Center became a licensed long-term care facility. To accommodate state regulations, some bedrooms were made into offices to meet the needs of added staff and personnel.

The original plan was that the sisters in Dooley Center would continue to join the rest of the monastic community for common meals. As some grew weak and/or unable to feed themselves, the small solarium between the areas called B and C wing was used as a dining room.

Over the years, with more wheel chairs and walkers in use, that space became crowded and cramped. In 1998, the sisters outgrew the solarium, and the activity room became utilized for dining purposes three times per day. Six years later, a dining room was sorely needed, as was space for a living room for sisters to visit family and friends.

Today, the Mount community, again expresses pride in Dooley Center — for this renovated space. In use since November, the new dining area is elegant in its simplicity. Its natural and indirect lighting plus cathedral-type ceiling create a spacious, open, and welcoming atmosphere.

The new space also lends itself to welcoming musical programs and entertainment from Benedictine College and other area schools. It also serves in gathering together the monastic and Dooley communities for parties and other celebrations. During Holy Week, two beautiful works of art were hung on either side of the decorative stone wall. Sister Paula Howard wrote an icon of the Emmaus journey depicting Christ and two disciples. Sister Elaine Fischer, using our deceased Sister Consilia Meyer’s design, created a large wooden cross. The over-crowded solarium area has given way to a large community room where cards and dominoes are played regularly, as well as a beauty parlor and a massage/ relaxation room. The new addition created a large open area for socializing. In this latter space there are three separate areas for reading, television viewing, and bird watching at the aviary.

The renovation project began in October of 2004. With nowhere to move the forty residents, temporary walls were erected to keep everyone, sisters and staff, safe. The noise and chaos of brick walls being removed gave way, in time, to amazing new rooms! By the time of completion of the project, in the latter part of 2006, much of Dooley Center will be re-configured, including the clinic, activity room, physical therapy, gift shop, sacristy, chaplain’s office, and reception area. Eight offices have already been uprooted and found new “homes.”

Health care professionals continue to explore ways to better serve care recipients. Many facilities have opted for a less institutional environment with a neighborhood/social model. To create this cultural change, Dooley Center has provided a more homelike atmosphere. Nurses stations were removed and replaced by a table and two chairs. A beautiful cabinet, made by Sister Elaine Fischer, now houses the medical records. With input from the residents, the two wings were renamed Benet Hall and Celeste Hall.

Each of the bedrooms is receiving a facelift to meet fire regulations and attain better lighting. Four rooms will have wheelchair accessible sinks. Sister Elaine has been busy making a chest of drawers, night stand, and armoire for each room.

Five new rooms now share the east wall with St. Lucy’s chapel. In addition to the sacristy, chaplain and pastoral care offices, a conference room and confessional/spiritual direction room have been constructed. This construction necessitated rearranging the positions of the chapel furnishings as well. Through all these changes, large and small, the sisters and staff remain gracious, patient, and loving.

The Mount community rejoices that our monastic elders are well cared for. They are a superb “powerhouse of prayer” for the community. Each of them has a prayer responsibility, whether a living group on mission, a committee, the monastic council or particular ministry; all count on their prayer. This newly renovated space is a simple thank you for their faithful lives of service. Likewise, we have a deep gratitude to God and to our donors for making this space possible. Together our prayer is “that in all things God may be glorified.”

Pictures of Dooley Center - before & after