For almost 90 years, the Dominican Sisters of St. Rose of Lima (known as the Hawthorne Dominicans – named for their foundress, Rose Hawthorne) served at a special ministry in North Philadelphia. There they offered hope, care, and companionship to men and women who needed assistance at the end of their lives. The facility was officially known as the Sacred Heart Home for Incurable Cancer. It was unique in that it relied entirely on freewill donations. Started in a time before Medicaid or Medicare, the facility accepted no money from its residents or any government agency.
From the beginning, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales ministered at Sacred Heart Home. The Oblates from nearby North Catholic High School would come to the home every day, very early in the morning, to celebrate Mass and offer the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick for the sisters, the residents, and the staff. Fr. Neil Kilty, OSFS, was one of the longest-serving Oblates who ministered at Sacred Heart Home. He began his ministry there as an altar server when he was in high school.
Later, when the Oblates from North moved to the Father Judge Faculty House, I joined the team of priests who got to pray on a regular basis with the sisters, the sick, and the dying at Sacred Heart. Being able to experience the same moving ministry that so many Oblates had shared for decades was an honor. When talking about the cancer home, the Oblates never used the institution’s official title but simply referred to the building on Hunting Park Avenue as “Sacred Heart.” Sitting in the dining room at Father Judge, one of the priests would lean over after dinner and ask, “Jack, can you cover Sacred Heart tomorrow?” Another time, one of my brother Oblates casually announced at a house meeting that “Sacred Heart has no heat this week. Make sure you wear an extra sweater in the chapel.” As a community that has a great devotion to the love of God, I found this informal way of talking about the Heart of Jesus appropriate and appealing.
As human beings we use the heart as an image of love, devotion, and intimacy. When we are in a special relationship, we use the language of love to communicate and share our thoughts and feelings.
I always thought of the Sacred Heart devotion as a spiritual shorthand to share God’s special love for each of us. When the Oblates talked about “Sacred Heart” – the cancer home, the building – I also thought of it as a reference to the life and love of God. Sacred Heart Home was located in a rough neighborhood that was dealing with the fallout from years of poverty, unemployment, drugs, and loneliness. “Sacred Heart” brought the love of God to the streets, the sick, and the souls who were looking for rest and peace.
Sacred Heart Home suspended operations in 2018. Like many religious communities, the Dominican Sisters were consolidating their resources and focusing on their foundations in New York State and in Georgia.
Sacred Heart was the perfect name for a place that offered peace, hope, and love to those who were preparing for their final journey home to heaven. This community of care was a sacred stop for those who heard the voice of Jesus say: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).”
The Hawthorne Dominicans and the Oblates put these words into action and shared the gentle, humble love of God with those most in need of his tenderness and compassion for over eighty years. As the Church celebrates the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we can reflect on the Heart of God as a special place to find true peace and rest. Resting in this Holy Heart, our souls will be renewed. Rested and renewed, we can go into the world and bring the love of God to the streets, to our families, to our own homes – to our own sacred homes.
Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
*My mom and her two sisters worked at Sacred Heart Home spanning three decades.
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