By Deacon Tom Picciano
Contributing writer
Back in 1925, several Daughters of Charity sisters arrived in Binghamton to open the 25-bed Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital. That hospital has grown into hundreds of beds over the years.
It’s easy to find many in the Catholic community who started life there as newborns. Lourdes is where countless parishioners have been treated for illness or injury. Some had family members who received the Anointing of the Sick and died at the hospital.
There’s been much emotion over the past several weeks. Lourdes transitioned from Catholic to secular ownership by the Guthrie Clinic of Sayre, Pa., on Feb. 1.
On Jan. 24, a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Binghamton “celebrating the ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes.”
Kathy Connerton, then president and CEO of Lourdes, offered warm greetings to many of the couple hundred people who would attend the Mass.
“It’s very emotional.” Connerton said. “We celebrate the history that Lourdes has had in this community as a Catholic faith-based hospital.”
“The optimism that we have in our hearts that we are going to be stronger and be able to provide more services, not less to the community,” Connerton added.
The Daughters of Charity attended and participated in the Mass, as did Lourdes staff members.
Bishop Douglas Lucia was the principal celebrant. During his homily, he remembered a visit to Lourdes — as an Emergency Room patient — not long after he became bishop. He told of being dressed in shorts and T-shirt, being treated for an earache while few knew who he was. He was impressed by the care he received.
The bishop also related a story about Dr. Albert Schweitzer, a famed physician and minister. Schweitzer arrived at a train station. But before meeting with those gathered, he assisted an elderly woman with her baggage. Bishop Lucia repeated the words of a journalist who observed how Schweitzer helped the woman — “That’s the first time I ever saw a sermon walking.”
“It is so wonderful to have the Daughters of Charity here with us today,” he said. “That living Gospel that has been proclaimed.”
For nearly 100 years, he said, the doctors, nurses, administrators, food-service workers and janitorial staff “together have been that living Gospel, that sermon walking.”
Before Guthrie Clinic came to Lourdes, hospital officials removed religious artwork. They were in touch with families and others who originally donated the paintings, pictures and statues. Many of those items have been given to area parishes.
Crucifixes no longer hang in individual rooms, although patients may request them. The chapel will remain at the hospital. The Spiritual Care staff, including a priest, will continue to serve there.
The Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, which has been in front of the hospital for decades, will stay where it is.
Just steps away from that grotto on Feb. 1 at an indoor conference room, hospital staff and media gathered for the announcement of the new Guthrie Lourdes Hospital.
Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, president and CEO of The Guthrie Clinic, spoke of the new Lourdes partnership.
“By coming together, we enable the continuation of this joint venture and strengthen our investments in quality care delivery, patient experience, patient access and safety, ensuring sustainable healthcare to the Southern Tier long into the future,” Sabanegh said.
Sabanegh said he told the Lourdes staff: “Your work is invaluable. Together we’re more than just a team. We’re a community united in keeping care local and keeping it of the highest quality.”
“Today is a new beginning for Lourdes,” said Kathy Connerton, now president of the new Guthrie Lourdes Hospital.
“Lourdes has been a cornerstone here for 99 years.” Connerton said. “The sisters who came here didn’t have enough dishes to feed the patients and themselves all at the same time. They made it work.”
“We carry this legacy with us as we become part of the Guthrie Clinic and look forward to advancing healthcare, embracing innovation and further strengthening our ability to meet the evolving needs of our community.”
