In a moving ceremony inside the chapel at Ascension St. Vincent Anderson, five Sisters of the Holy Cross passed lit candles to hospital leaders during a symbolic Passing of the Light ceremony, marking the close of 131 years of continuous service by a Sister at the Catholic hospital.
The South Bend-based religious order founded the Anderson hospital in 1894. The Passing of the Light ceremony was held as a result of the upcoming retirement of Sister Eileen Flavin, CSC, who has served in Anderson for the past nine years.
“There are so many mixed emotions today as we celebrate our Sisters’ presence for over 130 years, but I feel sad that there is no one to come here and take my place,” said Sister Eileen. “But it is also with so much joy that we can pass this spirit of our shared Mission on to the leadership of this hospital who I know will carry on our spirit.”
Joining her at the ceremony were four other Sisters who traveled from South Bend to participate – Sister Madeleine Marie Clayton, Sister Brenda Cousins, Sister Violet Rodrigues, and the General Secretary of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, Sister Veronica Fajardo.
The candles were passed to the hospital’s leadership team – President Marion Teixeira; Dr. Christopher Bennell, Chief Medical Officer; Niko Hudson, Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operations Officer; Joshua Johnson, Director of Nursing; and Robert Schultz, Director of Behavioral Services.
“For those of us who have been here a long time – and for me, that is 40 years – today is truly a sad day,” said Marion. “But we remain committed to the Mission the Sisters of the Holy Cross established in Anderson, and we will continue to honor and stay connected to that legacy.”
After the ceremony, hospital leaders unveiled a new wall plaque honoring the history of the Sisters in Anderson and listing all 211 who have served. A reception for Sister Eileen followed in the hospital café.
