Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm

Long Term Care • Short Term & Sub Acute Rehabilitation • Respite

With Love Since 1974
Ph: 518.456.2000
Image

Founding and Core Values

Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory spent her early years in Northern Ireland and Scotland and after entering and professing vows with the Little Sisters of the Poor in France, was assigned to homes in America. She developed a great love for the American people and wished to care for them according to living standards in the United States.

When this was not possible within the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor, with the guidance and assistance of Patrick Cardinal Hayes of New York, she and six other Sisters began the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm on September 3,1929 in an empty rector in Upper Manhattan, New York. The Sisters now sponsor, co-sponsor or serve 20 facilities in the United States and one in Dublin, Ireland.

Image
Image

In Carmelite homes, Sisters and staff alike seek to carry out Mother Angeline’s philosophy of care. She stressed the dignity and worth of every older people and the need to provide more than an up to date facility. In her words we must bring Christ to every older person, “giving them His compassion, His interest, His loving care, His warmth morning noon and night. It means inspiring the lay people who work with us to give the same type of loving care.”

The Carmelite Sisters are consecrated within the Catholic Church and members of a Congregation founded by Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm, dedicated to the service and care of the Aged and Infirm, in the spirit and tradition of the Carmelite Order.

The Carmelite Sisters are consecrated within the Catholic Church and members of a Congregation founded by Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm, dedicated to the service and care of the Aged and Infirm, in the spirit and tradition of the Carmelite Order.

The Carmelite Sisters are women who share a vision that love makes a difference in the world. They are diverse in age, background and training but are united in our belief that life is precious, from the moment of conception to its natural end. Life is full of memories pieced together to form God’s handwoven tapestry. The Carmelite story is tied to the story of every man and woman at the autumn of life – their joys and sorrows, their pains and consolations, their love of family, their hopes and dreams, their search for God and their finding Him. The Carmelite life is about holding the hand of an aged person and giving meaning to their lives. It is about being a mother, a sister, a daughter and a friend to someone who is another’s mother, sister, friend and loved one.

The Carmelite Sisters follow the Rule of Saint Albert and are nourished by the tradition and examples of Saint Elias, Mary, St. Teresa, St. Therese and many holy men and women of the Carmelite Order. They follow the example and vision of our foundress, Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa McCrory, O.Carm. We minister to Christ in the person of the elderly but always return to the spiritual mount of our prayer and contemplation.

The Carmelite Sisters
adhere to the following values:

1
Hospitality
Our belief is that each home should provide a welcoming, person centered environment and atmosphere of a “Home”. Personal warmth, love and care will reflect and give value and purpose to the residents’ lives. The wholistic care of each resident encompasses their physical, social, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs. Guided by our Catholic tradition we seek to honor the spiritual journeys of all people of all faiths.
2
Sanctity of Life
Our belief is that all life is sacred, and we advocate especially on behalf of the elderly. We are committed to witness to the gospel message of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. Acknowledging the importance of palliative care, our healing ministry does recognize that sickness, suffering and death are potential occasions of experiencing God.
4
Compassion
Our belief is that each person is created in the image of God as an object of His personal love, and as such we are to bring hope, healing and comfort to all we encounter in our ministry. In the words of Venerable Mary Angeline Teresa, we strive to be “kinder than kindness itself.”
3
Shared Commitment
Our belief is that quality of care is attained by a team spirit that has a shared sense of achievement, accountability, ideas, insights and the commitment to the wise stewardship of resources. Treating one another respectfully and justly, and joining together for our common Mission, will enable us to continue to move forward with the times.
Contact Details
Pamela Peck
Director of Admissions
Teresian House
Center for the Elderly
200 Washington Avenue Extension
(518) 724-2703