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Exercise time--but the balls pause in their journey around the circle while the sisters take time to chat.
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Our sisters’ ministry at St. Ann’s in Tacoma, Washington, has always been one of providing loving care. Initially the sisters cared for orphaned children at St. Ann Home. Today St. Ann Convent is a retirement residence for our sisters on the west coast. During their years of active ministry, these sisters served in education, healthcare, parish ministry, and social services—primarily in Washington, Oregon, and California. Currently, they continue to participate in the work and mission of the congregation through prayer ministry—supporting the local, national, and global needs of the Church and world.
Sr. Jude Connelly, administrator of St. Ann’s, and her staff provide a continuum of care for the sisters, ranging from recuperative care to more complete nursing care. The property actually consists of four buildings. In addition to St. Ann’s, Olympus House, Serra House, and Hermitage Place provide independent living opportunities for the sisters living there. As its name indicates, Hermitage Place also provides opportunities for visitors who are seeking spiritual direction or mini-retreats. All of the sisters—and their visitors—utilize the beautiful new chapel at St. Ann’s.
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The sisters gather in chapel for liturgy and for times of quiet, personal prayer.
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Liturgy holds a central place in the sisters’ lives. Four days a week they have Mass at 6 A.M., celebrated by their chaplain, Fr. Gerard Chapdelaine, SJ. Weekend liturgies are at 9 A.M. and on Wednesdays, the sisters celebrate with a Communion Service. The public is welcome to join the sisters for any of these liturgies. Actually, the sisters used to host a monthly Eucharistic liturgy for senior citizens in the Tacoma area. Unfortunately, that is no longer possible because of the unavailability of a priest.
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Some of the recent renovations at St. Ann's required unpacking supplies. The sisters found that there are lots of ways to help!
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Activity director Dolores Martinez coordinates a host of activities for the sisters. A group gathers daily for an exercise program and for whatever games are part of the daily schedule. The sisters especially enjoy visitors—whether it’s a group coming to share a concert of sacred music or a visit from a lively group of school children. The children from St. Charles School enjoy coming to visit—especially for holiday celebrations on St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and May Day.
If you visit St. Ann’s, you’ll find a wonderful blend of peace and busyness. You might want to enjoy the beautiful outdoors—the flowers, the fountain, the peace
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This quiet corner offers a relaxing place to read or to reflect on the beauty outside.
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pole. Indoors you’ll find places of quiet and peace, especially the area where the recent renovations provide a window view of the beautiful grounds and capture the sunlight at just the right angle.
In the new chapel, you’ll find it easy to reflect on the “Cantilce of Creation” because you’ll see it displayed and highlighted by the beautifully designed windows. You’ll also be touched by the sight of our sisters who have dropped in for a quiet prayer. Don’t forget—you can request a prayer on our website.
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Sisters and staff gather for the blessing of one of their favorite sites.
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Frequently, however, you’ll also find a sense of busyness and purposefulness. True to their Franciscan spirit of hospitality, the sisters welcome groups who find St. Ann’s the perfect site for a meeting. The Secular Franciscans have been meeting there for the past 15 years. There was great rejoicing when Doris Michalek, mother of Sr. Patricia Michalek, chose to celebrate her 50
th anniversary as an SFO at St. Anne’s! A group of our Franciscan Companions in Mission also come to St. Ann’s each month for faithsharing. They are always joined by some of the sisters.
So…if you’re going to be in the Tacoma area, drop us a line and stop by for a visit. We’re sure you’ll find that St. Ann’s lives up to its history—a place of loving care and nurturing.
