.png)
By Paula Green
Driving through Brighton Heights, you’ll encounter the hidden jewel on Pittsburgh’s Northside—the Little Sisters of the Poor Home on Benton Avenue. The Sisters have been an intricate part of the community for the past 100 years, and their tireless work has profoundly impacted the lives of the elderly poor in their care.
Although Little Sisters celebrates its centennial anniversary at its Home this year, the roots of this religious institute date back to 1839. Jeanne Jugan founded it in Cancale, a small town in the Brittany region of France.
In 1868, the Little Sisters came to the United States, operating twenty-nine homes to care for the elderly poor. They went to Pittsburgh in 1872, where seven Little Sisters of the Poor established a temporary home on Eighth Street and ministered to six elderly men and women. The Sisters founded a second home on Penn Avenue in the Garfield neighborhood.
In 1921, Patrick and Catherine Wall, who had a successful tin business on the North Side offered to build a new home to accommodate their growing mission. The Walls experienced a great loss when their only son, James, died at the young age of 45. In their grief, the couple purchased farmland and fully funded the construction of the building where it sits today. The Walls dedicated the new Little Sister's Home in James' honor.
"The Little Sister's James P. Wall dedication was held on July 28, 1924, by Bishop Boyle, the bishop of Pittsburgh at that time. This summer, we commemorated our centennial anniversary on Sunday, July 14, as Bishop David Zubik celebrated Mass. Family, friends, benefactors, staff, Sisters, and Residents attended Mass. The Gloria Chapel was full. Guests attended a reception in the Home's auditorium following Mass," said Little Sisters of the Poor's development director Kathleen Bowser.
"Currently, at our Benton Avenue Home, we have 48 nursing home Residents, 40 in the independent living apartments, and 15 Little Sisters live in the convent in the James P. Wall Building," Bowser added.
The Little Sisters have two upcoming events, "On Saturday, December 14, we will be having our annual "Meat Drop." Sister Josephine and her volunteers will collect roasts of beef, pork, turkey, or ham at our main entrance from 10 am-2 pm. We plan to fill our kitchen freezer to prepare delicious meals for our Residents. Additionally, we have our annual Christmas card sale, which Sister Martha, LSP, sketched. This year's card and last year's card are available. Cards are: 7 for $10, 12 for $15, or 30 for $25 (shipping charges apply). We're also hosting an online store of Christmas Ceramics from now through the end of the year," Bowser said.
Since their arrival in Pittsburgh, Little Sisters have cared for more than 12,000 aged poor in this region regardless of race or religion. Today, their Home provides nursing care and independent living apartments for low-income seniors and carries on the legacy of their mother, foundress St. Jeanne Jugan, as they welcome elderly Residents with love and compassion. Divine Providence aids their mission manifested through the generosity of many friends and benefactors.
For more information on The Little Sisters of the Poor, visit their website at www.littlesistersofthepoorpittsburgh.org or call (412) 307-1100.
Comments