The residents, staff, family and friends of Mercy Place Mount St Joseph’s residential aged care home celebrated on Thursday 7 November at the official opening and blessing of the redeveloped households.
The home has four households, each of which feature 15–17 single ensuite bedrooms, a kitchen, living and dining area. There are also a number of communal spaces where residents can gather, including the light-filled Laurie’s Lounge – a space named after Laurie Hewson, who worked at the home for more than 30 years. There is also a beautiful reflection room and the Mother Dot’s Diner, a café that is named in honour of local Mother Superior and former Mercy Place Mount St Joseph’s resident Mother Dorothy.
Mercy Health Board Chair Ms Virginia Bourke, with Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea Institute Councillor Sr Maureen Sexton RSM, officially opened Mercy Place Mount St Joseph’s households. Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn Most Reverend Christopher Prowse then blessed the households before joining the gathered guests in Mother Dot’s Diner for coffee and afternoon tea.
It was an opportunity to acknowledge and thank everyone, particularly Service Manager Shelley Gledhill and all Mercy Place Mount St Joseph’s staff, who have played a pivotal role in facilitating the residents’ transition into the redeveloped households and ensuring the residents feel welcome and comfortable in their new homes, so they can continue to thrive and live a meaningful life.