Benedictine welcomed Mother of Mercy Senior Living in Albany, Minnesota, to its family of senior living communities with a blessing ceremony Jan. 28.
Bishop Patrick Neary of St. Cloud, Minnesota, symbolically transferred stewardship of Mother of Mercy to Jerry Carley, president and CEO of Benedictine. Using two candles, they lit one pillar candle, symbolizing the unified ministry, and "the two candles continued to burn, a testament to the enduring legacy of the traditions of each organization," according to a release.
"We're excited to welcome Mother of Mercy Senior Living into the Benedictine family as we work together to advance the future of senior care," Carley said. "This affiliation reinforces our shared mission to provide outstanding, person-centered support and to continue innovating for the well-being of the Albany area for years to come."
The transfer was approved by the boards of each organization last fall. This January, the state approved the transfer of licenses for Mother of Mercy's Care Center and individual service lines.
With the completion of the license transfer, Mother of Mercy Senior Living becomes Benedictine Living Community — Mother of Mercy, a full member of Benedictine. The individual service lines also will have new Benedictine identities. Mother of Mercy includes independent senior living, assisted living and memory care.
Mother of Mercy Nursing Home opened on Aug. 1, 1959, under the auspices of Seven Dolors Catholic Parish and was managed by the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, Minnesota. In 1966, the nursing home became a separate freestanding nonprofit corporation with a volunteer board of directors.
Benedictine was founded in 1985 by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Scholastica Monastery in Duluth with three health care organizations. The system now has 34 senior living campuses in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Illinois and Missouri.
"Joining the Benedictine family marks an exciting new chapter for Mother of Mercy," Mark Knapp, chair of the Mother of Mercy board of directors, said in the release. "This new affiliation will build on our strong foundation and give us the opportunity to embrace new ways to enhance the lives of those we serve."