The 100th birthday celebration of Sister Mary Caritas, SP, wouldn’t be complete without an opportunity for Mercy Medical Center colleagues to offer the beloved leader their well wishes. A special tea was held to honor Sister Caritas in the Deliso Conference Center, where Mercy colleagues formed a long receiving line to spend a few moments with the former hospital president to share memories and say, “Happy Birthday!”
Sister Caritas served as President of the former Mercy Hospital from 1977 to 1993. During that time, she was instrumental in the creation of programs such as the Mercy Internal Medicine Service and Health Care for the Homeless and served as a longtime advocate for the development of a comprehensive cancer center. The Sister Caritas Cancer Center was later named in her honor. She also championed the creation of Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital.
Sister Caritas has served as President of the Sisters of Providence Congregation, as a member of the Sisters of Providence Executive Council, and as the congregation’s Special Projects and Advocacy Coordinator. She took an active role in the transformation of the Sisters' Mother House into Providence Place, an independent living retirement community, and in the creation of Mary's Meadow, where long-term skilled nursing care and short-term rehab services are provided in a small-house complex.
Sister’s achievements have also gained national attention. In 2002, the Catholic Health Association of the United States presented Sister Caritas with the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her lifelong service to Catholic health ministry. She has served on the Boards and as Chair of the Catholic Health Association and the Massachusetts Hospital Association, and as a Board Member of the American Hospital Association.
In early September, Sister Caritas was honored at a celebration marking her 100th birthday at the Log Cabin in Holyoke where she joined friends and community members whose lives she touched during her long and illustrious career.