Grey Nuns to turn over Youville Home

Special to the WCR
St. Albert

Caritas Health Group was co-founded by the Grey Nuns in 1992 when their hospitals, the Edmonton General and Grey Nuns, partnered with the Misericordia Hospital to provide Catholic health services in Edmonton.

In 1999, the Grey Nuns withdrew from this partnership, transferring their responsibilities to the Alberta Catholic Health Corp.

Sister Marcia Wiley, provincial leader of the Grey Nuns of Alberta, says her order remains committed to faith-based health care, but acknowledges the challenges facing the sisters.

"We have an aging congregation and the number of new members has been declining," Wiley said. "We are now faced with making decisions about our own future and taking the steps necessary to make the best use of our human resources in God's service."

"During the many years, the sisters have worked in St. Albert, we have enjoyed the support of numerous friends, loyal staff and governments," she said.

"It was with government support that the present Youville Home was built. It is with annual grants, now given through the Capital Health Authority, that Youville is able to provide care and service to many seniors.

"The sisters are pleased that Youville's dedicated board of directors is planning to replace the aging facility with a state of the art home.

"With continuing collaboration between the board, government representatives and Capital Health, the sisters look confidently to the future when there will be a new Youville Home continuing to serve aging seniors with compassion and dignity in the tradition of the Grey Nuns," she added.

"There will be no change in the administration or operations at Youville Home or within Caritas Health Group as a result of this transfer," said Wiley.

"It will be an open process, involving the boards of both organizations, ensuring ongoing consultation with our many partners, all levels of government and with Capital Health.

"We will continue our involvement on the boards of Youville, Caritas and the Alberta Catholic Health Corp. as long as we are able," she said.

Pierre Crevolin, chair of the Caritas board, said "The Caritas Health Group board of directors is committed to ensuring that the legacy of the Grey Nuns continues at Youville Home. We welcome Youville as a member of our Caritas family."

Anne Marie Venne, vice-chair of the Youville board, also welcomes the transfer as an opportunity to strengthen the healing ministry of the Grey Nuns.

"With Caritas as a partner, we are assured that our mission of providing compassionate care to our residents and families remains the focus of our efforts," Venne said.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter