Goodbye and Hello

Carondelet Center to St. John of God Care Center

Carondelet Center in Los Angeles opened its doors on September 9, 1955, as St. Mary’s House of Studies and provided space for our growing community. Built 69 years ago on the lower portion of Mount Saint Mary’s University property (“the Mount”), it was the fifth move for the western province’s provincial house. The house has morphed in its uses and was renamed Carondelet Center. Until recently, the center housed many Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in Los Angeles, including those who need assisted living services.

In the past couple of years, we have been moving our sisters “down the hill” gradually. Our first move to St. John of God Care Center was due to emergency services’ difficulty accessing Carondelet Center during a wildfire. The care center had a floor available, and it was a blessing to send frail sisters there in case another wildfire came, which it did. Then more natural disasters happened, like the recent flooding that felled a tree in the neighborhood down the hill. No vehicles could go up or down to Carondelet Center; this presented another challenge.

We were recently offered an entire building at St. John of God that they were not using after closing a memory care unit. While we were not looking for a place at the time, this too was a blessing.

Each challenge brought a blessing, leading us to decide to rehouse many of our sisters. These sisters are now saying goodbye to their home at Carondelet Center and moving to St. John of God Care Center, where they are experiencing a big hello and welcome! Life changes and so do they—blessings abound!

Reflections on moving

Sister Anita Joseph Aragon

I spent almost 60 years either at Carondelet Center or at the Mount. My room at the center until the last two years was on the South Wing: There, looking out the window to the north, I could see the large wooden crucifix that came originally from St. Mary’s Academy. For years, a neighbor came on Saturdays to water the flowers in front of it.

Above the hill from the crucifix, I saw the apartment where Marce and Edna lived. Marce, our maintenance man, also came from St. Mary’s Academy when the Sisters moved here. Later the apartment was used by our chaplains and last by our administrator, Ursula, and her dog, Sidney. My view straight ahead was of the road leading to the Mount. In the past years, our sisters went up that road to get their education and to prepare themselves for their various ministries. Current students walk up from their parking spaces, neighbors walk for their exercise and deer are seen passing now and then. The hills beyond are beautiful.

Leaving is hard—but necessary. At the time of the Getty fire, unable to move the sick and elderly away from the fire, made it imperative. A building becoming available on the beautiful grounds of St. John of God where different levels of care are possible seems like a gift of God. It relieves our reluctance to make the move. To a new home, we carry ourselves, our things and our memories.

Sister Therese Denham

One of the things I have to say goodbye to is the little chapel on the second floor. With Caroline, we made the stained glass windows. and I designed the altar and tabernacle. Creating this was one of the most beautiful things I have ever done. I have a vested interest in the chapel. I will miss it.

Sister Corita Eisenbeiss

Saying farewell to the small, almost forgotten fountain and patio in the back of Carondelet Center. Mary’s fountain garden was my resting place for my heart and spirit. The plants, trees, birds, squirrels, lizards, mountains and hummingbirds encouraged me to pause, look around, listen…to let the beauty and the quiet sink into my heart and spirit.

Thank you, Mary’s garden, for gifting me with quietness, rest, peace and stillness. It was my healing place—holy ground!

Sister Marge Foppe

Two places are favorites of mine. The first is the Blessed Mother patio which nestles against the Mount hill. Nature feels close there, and the view of the ocean, cities and mountains helps me to remember so many of God’s blessings and all the people who need or inspire special prayers.

A second spot is in the St. Joseph Chapel, the construction of which wasn’t completed until my novitiate. The large crucifix situated behind the altar appeared to be identical to the one in a grotto at St. Mary’s Academy, which was a special place when I was discerning about becoming a sister. Also, the magnificent Stations of the Cross are perhaps my dearest treasure. Over the years, they have nurtured my understanding of God’s unconditional love. I think I will always be able to envision them.

Sister Carol Brong