First, let me thank Father Richard for his invitation to speak with you today. It is a privilege to address the leadership of the Church of Western Kentucky on a subject that is near and dear to my heart – reflections of my (our) 30 plus year ministry in healthcare. Over the years I have had the opportunity to share this ministry with many of you who are in the room today — with Bishop John in his prior role as Sponsor and Board Member of Lourdes Hospital, as an advisor and counselor during my tenure as President/CEO of Mercy Hospital of Owensboro, and as a fellow Board Member of Owensboro Mercy Health System; — with Father Jerry Riney when he served on the Board of Lourdes;— with Father Ed Bradley when he served on the Board of Mercy Hospital of Owensboro;— currently with Father Henry Weider as he serves on our Regional Board and the Board of Lourdes; — with Father John Speaks during his tenure as Chaplain at Mercy/Owensboro; — and with Father Leonard Alvey, Father Richard Meredith, and Father Larry Hostetter when I sought advice and council regarding ethical issues and Church teaching. Thanks to all of you for your willingness to share your time and talents.

To paraphrase Father Meredith from his letter of invitation to address you today, "as we stand at the threshold of the first year of the third Christian millennium" it is an appropriate time for the priests of the Diocese of Owensboro to reflect on the "historical moment" as Church. My purpose today is to provide you with the opportunity to reflect on the history of the Church of Western Kentucky’s healthcare ministry, and to attempt to put into perspective for you the value and purpose of "Catholic" healthcare and our desire to maintain and reflect our Catholic identity. First let’s review the diocese’s "historic moments" within the healthcare ministry.

Soon after the Diocese of Owensboro was formed, Bishop Francis Cotton recognized the need to broaden the Church of Western Kentucky’s ministry to include the care of the sick. The following is a list of events that occurred which led to the establishment of healthcare ministries within the diocese under the direction of Bishop Cotton, as well as his successors, Bishop Henry Soenneker and our Bishop John J. McRaith:

Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Morganfield (1942)

1942 – Bishop Cotton approached the Sisters of Mercy of Cincinnati, asking them to provide health care within the Diocese.

1943 – the Sisters purchased a former clinic in Morganfield and converted it to a 25 bed hospital.

1945 – Bishop Cotton celebrated the "grand opening" by celebrating Mass with the Sisters in the Morganfield Convent.

1945 – 1970 For 25 years Our Lady of Mercy served the healthcare needs of Morganfield and Union County. As important, the Sisters introduced the concept of Catholic/faith-based healthcare to Western Kentucky, and helped break down existing prejudices while building acceptance and trust of the Catholic faith. Unfortunately, the hospital was forced to close in 1970 when a for-profit company (Hospital Corporation of America) built a 50 bed hospital in the area.

Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Owensboro (1948)

1944 – Bishop Cotton, in consultation with people from Owensboro and Daviess County, decided to construct a second hospital in Owensboro. An intense drive for funds was initiated, with pastors from the various churches serving as chairmen of their respective parishes. The project was estimated to cost $510,000. The Sisters of Mercy contributed $388,000, with area Catholics (and their friends) contributing $122,500. Though the necessary funds had been secured, the escalation of WWII caused a delay in the start of construction until 1946.

1947 – Six Sisters of Mercy arrived in Owensboro and began the process of opening the new facility.

1948 – Formal opening ceremonies were held, including a Solemn Pontifical Mass concelebrated by Bishop Cotton, Archbishop John A. Floersh of Louisville, and Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman of Evansville.

1948 – 1995 Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, later to be known as Mercy Hospital, opened as an 80-bed, full service facility. The hospital was well received by the community, and a 45-bed wing was added in 1958. In 1968, after consultation with Bishop Henry Soenneker, obstetric services were discontinued and a psychiatric unit was opened. (Closed in 1975 due to minimal utilization.) During the ensuing years, under the direction of the Sisters of Mercy, the facility engaged in a diversification of holistic health services and remained committed to reaching out to the poor and under-served.

1993 – In1993 a movement began that would dramatically change the face of healthcare in the Owensboro area. Strategic discussions began between the Sisters of Mercy, the leadership of the Mercy Health System, the Boards of Directors of Mercy Hospital and Owensboro-Daviess County Hospital, representatives from the medical staffs, Bishop McRaith, and individuals from the broader community. These discussions eventually led to the unification of the two hospitals, and a commitment to focus on the long-term needs of the larger community (in contrast to focusing on "one-up" competition between facilities that increased cost and placed both organizations at great risk.) I will come back to this point within our ministry in a few minutes.

Carmel Home, Owensboro (1952)

1950 - 2001 Bishop Cotton, with assistance from Father Robert Wilson, approached the Carmelite Sisters with a request that they establish a home for the elderly of Owensboro and surrounding areas. The Diocese donated 7 1/2 acres of land off of Old Hartford Road and funds were raised to construct a 52-bed personal care facility. (Research here was limited – as Sister Andrea said, "The money just sort of took care of itself!") Later, under the direction of the Carmelites, a 68-bed nursing unit was added. The Mary Kendall Home of Owensboro was closed in 1986, and their residents were moved to the Carmel Home. Soon thereafter, with financial and moral support from Bishop McRaith, the priest residence facilities were added.

Lourdes Hospital, Paducah (1959)

1959 – "With hopefulness that a new apostolate would extend the Church further to the South" Bishop Cotton purchased the old Riverside Hospital from the City of Paducah for $501,000. He, with the assistance of Father John Glenn, initially conferred with the Sisters of Mercy, and later with the Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffen, Ohio, regarding their willingness to staff and manage the facility. Six Franciscans moved to Paducah in September of 1959 to begin a new healthcare ministry in Western Kentucky.

1962 – After the deaths of Bishop Cotton and Father Glenn, Bishop Henry Soenneker decided the sponsorship of the hospital should rest with the Franciscans.

1964 - A decision was made to build a new hospital on 40 acres of land donated to the Franciscans by Bishop Soenneker.

1967 – A friend of yours and mine, Sister Patricia Ann Froning was named the administrator of Lourdes, and prior to leaving to join the leadership of her order in 1970, ground was broken for the new facility. Not one to shirk her duties, Sr. Pat remained on the Board of Lourdes until 1982.

1982 – Due to the growth and size of Lourdes, the Franciscans opted to return sponsorship of the facility back to the Diocese, where it remained until 1992. The Franciscans remained a vital part of the healthcare ministry at Lourdes until 1990..

In 1992 Bishop McRaith chose to transfer sponsorship of Lourdes to the Sister of Mercy of Cincinnati, where it remains today.

Bishop Soenneker Home, Knottsville (1967)

Bishop Soenneker, at the request of Father Tiel and the people of Knottsville, authorized the construction of a 60-bed personal care home for the elderly, and later for individuals with mental retardation. After a short period of time Sister Mary Raymonde, a member of the Sisters of the Lamb of God became the administrator. She continues in this capacity today. Soon after the death of Bishop Soenneker, and the ordination of Bishop McRaith, Sister approached the Bishop and requested funds to expand the facility to include a chapel and gathering space. Once a Community Board was established, the expansion was completed.

Owensboro Mercy Health System, 1995

After two years of discussions and negotiations, in 1995 Mercy Healthcare Partners of Cincinnati and Owensboro/Daviess County agreed to consolidate their respective operations into Owensboro Mercy Health System. A significant part of the negotiations centered on maintaining the Catholic identity and Catholic presence within the new organization, as well as sustaining the history and tradition of service provided to the Owensboro community by the Sisters of Mercy over the years. Several agreements were reached related to these two issues:

• The facilities located on the Ford Campus would retain Catholic identity, including Catholic signs and symbols, as well as a sacramental Catholic chapel which is open to all faith traditions

• Agreement was reached to establish a Catholic presence on the Parrish Avenue Campus, including signs, symbols, art and a sacramental Catholic tabernacle.

• Agreement was reached that OMHS would abide by the Ethical and Religions Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services, and would have an Ethics Committee of the Board, whose membership would include an individual deemed qualified to assure education about and compliance with the Directives.

• The OMHS Board adopted a resolution to prohibit all forms of activity which take human life in any way, including abortion, euthanasia, and physician assisted suicide.

• OMHS agreed not to perform contraceptive sterilization procedures, with the understanding that a corporation other than OMHS will own, establish, maintain and fund a separate unit within the hospital on Parrish Avenue for the purpose of performing tubal ligations and/or other contraceptive procedures.

• OMHS adopted policies to deal with obstetrical services in difficult settings; e.g. emergency c-sections. Such policies adhere to the Ethical and Religious Directives.

• Agreement was reached to establish a Senior Executive Mission position within administration and to assure that all individuals who fill this position are schooled in the history, traditions, mission and values of the Sisters of Mercy and the Catholic faith.

• Finally, in order to assure compliance with the original intent and purpose of the consolidation of facilities, Catholic Healthcare Partners retains the right to appoint 50% of the member of the Board of Directors, and OMHS agrees to maintain affiliate membership in Catholic Healthcare Partners.

Until now I have focused on the past. At this time I would like to briefly describe for you the current status/scope of the Catholic healthcare ministry in the United States.

Catholic healthcare in the United States is a vibrant and vital ministry of today’s Church. It is a ministry that brings the healing mission of Jesus to multiple communities and millions of lives – especially the poor and vulnerable. It ministers to one in every six Americans who need the services of a hospital. It is often the only provider willing or able to serve the poor. It brings witness to communities and is a powerful influence on local programs, services and policies; as well as national legislation related to life issues, access to care, and services to the poor.

Catholic healthcare has a substantial presence within the American Healthcare System. There are over 600 Catholic hospitals in 47 states. We provide over 85 million hospital stays and visits a year. There are over 700 Catholic nursing homes in 48 states. We provide thousands of community-based outreach programs and services. We have over 17% of all admissions to hospitals in the country and over 20% of hospital admissions in each of 21 states.

Catholic healthcare often partners with others to strengthen the ministry and ensure its viability. Current market forces require coordination and combining of services to create efficiencies. Physicians are indispensable partners –indispensable for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that not a single healthcare service can be provided through our ministry without physicians’ order to treat.

Can we define the meaning of our Catholic identity? My focus today is on the "Catholic" ministry in healthcare; but obviously there are a number of others providing health care in this country – some are faith-based, some are identified as community or urban facilities, some are for-profit and some are not-for-profit. Are we different than the others? Does tying our Catholic identity to our mission differentiate us? Does it impact the care we deliver? I would suggest that it does.

Having taken the position that being Catholic makes a difference let me attempt to explain what the difference is by trying to explain what we mean by Catholic identity. Know that I find it difficult to describe at times. It might be easier to follow the example of the Supreme Court Justice who, though he confessed he was unable to define pornography, nevertheless maintained that "I know it when I see it." Though I may not be able to adequately define the "Catholic" within our ministry, I know it is a matter of heart and spirit.

At times like this, just as I have turned to many of you for advice and counsel, I turned to individuals who are part of the tradition of the ministry. Sr. Doris Gottemoeller, former President of the Sister of Mercy of the Americas and current Senior Vice President of Mission of Catholic Healthcare Partners, identifies several elements of the Catholic healthcare ministry and divides them into three groups; beliefs, behaviors and bondholders (the why, how and who of our identity).

Beliefs:

• We believe that caring for the sick is an extension of Christ’s work and a ministry of the Church.

• We believe that the dignity of each person assures his or her right to receive the care we provide.

• We believe physical health is integrally connected to the spiritual, social and psychological well-being of all.

• We believe healthcare should be oriented toward the common good, not toward a few stakeholders.

• We believe those who are most vulnerable and most in need have the first claim on our ministry.

Behaviors:

• As outlined in The Ethical Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, expected behaviors are numerous: professional services, employee relations, research, stewardship of resources, pastoral care, informed consent, advanced directives, medical and genetic experimentation, privacy reproductive and end-of-life issues, forming new partnerships and others.

• The Church has a health ministry not only because countless individuals respond to the call of the Gospel call to service, but also because we do it together. This is evidenced by the fact that our sponsors knew the creations of institutions was a way to focus multiple gifts in pursuit of a common goal, and that this institutional commitment would enable the ministry to endure over time, to pass on from generation to generation

• We want to guarantee our employees the right to participate in decisions that affect their work and to receive wages and benefits commensurate with their contributions to the ministry.

• One can not commit oneself to a ministry of the Church, to becoming a surrogate of Christ acting in the word, and then become satisfied with mediocre performance. Our ministry should and does inspire a passion for excellence.

Bondholders – those who represent and guarantee the Catholic identity of our mission:

• Our people are our bondholders. The thousands of men and women who daily sweep floors, deliver supplies, administer and interpret tests, examine and counsel patients, and lead complex organizations are the heart and hands of the ministry.

• Our bishops are our bondholders. They recognize and authorize institutions and programs as official expressions of the Church’s health ministry. This formal tie to the institutional Church ensures a public recognition of our Catholic identity. It also implies we can be held accountable to our fidelity to the mission.

• The larger church community, who participate in the ministry though prayer, choice of providers, contributions, and volunteer services, are certainly bondholders. Unfortunately, in my opinion we have not done a good job of telling our story; and, as a result, the average Catholic rarely if ever makes a connection between the Catholic facility down the street and Christ’s mandate to heal the sick. In many respects, our failure in this area rests with the fact that we have not taken the time to work with and educate you, the parish priests.

Hopefully, our one-hour together today is a step in the right direction.

In closing I would like to share a few final thoughts and feelings. Those of us who are participating in the ministry of healthcare will certainly be challenged as we strive to carry out our mission. The religious orders who have "gotten us this far," (mostly the women religions) are dwindling in number, and the opportunity to carry on the mission will rest more squarely on the shoulders of the laity. The advancements in medical science will certainly test our knowledge and understanding of ethical practice. We will need to be prepared to answer challenges being raised through the press – challenges similar to those raised on a recent segment of CBS’s "60 Minutes." We will need you to be there to provide us with advice and counsel. We will also need your prayers and support.

It has been my pleasure to share with you today. Are there questions or other issues you would like to explore?