Cardinal
Rigali marks
World Day of the Sick
By Christie L. Chicoine
CS&T Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — “In order to understand the deepest meaning
of human suffering and need, we have to look at the crucifix,” Cardinal
Justin Rigali said at the Mass he celebrated for World Day of the Sick
at Immaculate Mary Home.
The crucifix, he said, “explains to us who Jesus is. It explains
His love.”
The Cardinal and a number of priests also administered the sacrament of
the anointing of the sick to residents of the home during the liturgy
Monday, Feb. 11.
Among them was Florence Hasset, 78, of Resurrection of Our Lord Parish,
who has called Immaculate Mary Home her own home for more than two years.
“I loved his homily,” she said of Cardinal Rigali. “He
made Jesus so personal to us.”
Attending Mass is the most important part of Hassett’s day. “I
just love Mass,” she said. “It’s the reason why I’m
at Immaculate Mary — so I can go to daily Mass.”
In fact, she added, “I live for church. Whenever I feel lonesome
or worried, I come in here [to the chapel]. “My Best Friend keeps
me company. I know I’m never really alone.”
The facility at 2990 Holme Ave. in Northeast Philadelphia, which is part
of archdiocesan Catholic Health Care Services, is home for nearly 300
residents.
It provides skilled nursing care; post-hospital nursing and rehabilitation
services; respite care, and an adult day program.
James Owens, 85, said he moved from St. Bartholomew Parish to Immaculate
Mary just three weeks ago and has already made friends. He’s grateful
to the staff for making him so comfortable, Owens said: “I’m
happy. It’s a good place.”
He helped to carry the gifts to the altar during the offertory procession
at Monday’s Mass. Noting that he is “no young man,”
participating in the liturgy made him feel “very privileged,”
he said.
It was appropriate that Cardinal Rigali celebrated World Day of the Sick
at a home named in Mary’s honor — and on the feast of Our
Lady of Lourdes.
“On this very day … 150 years ago, our Blessed Mother appeared
to a young girl in southern France,” he said. “Over all these
years … millions of people have gone to the Shrine of Lourdes.”
He noted, “Some of them have received a physical healing, and others
have received a spiritual healing.”
Celebrating Mass and praying with Immaculate Mary’s residents was
“a beautiful thing,” the Cardinal said after the liturgy.
It also did wonders for the residents, according to Veronica Gibbone,
the home’s administrator.
“Just his presence strengthens them,” she said. “It
reminds them also of the presence of God, and how close He is to them.
They’ll always talk about this visit.”
For more information, contact Immaculate Mary Home at (215) 335-2100 or
visit the Web site: www.imh-phl.org.
CS&T Staff Writer Christie L. Chicoine can be reached at (215) 587-2468
or cchicoin@adphila.org.