May 20, 2022
Dear Friends and Benefactors,
It is with a deep sense of sadness that I announce today that the Little Sisters of the Poor will be withdrawing from St. Paul’s Archbishop Leibold Home in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati
The Little Sisters have served in the Archdiocese, our second foundation in the United States, continuously since 1868. With over 150 years of devoted service to the poor, you can imagine how very difficult this decision has been.
The Sisters’ first residence was a storefront property on Lock Street in downtown Cincinnati. The first official home in Cincinnati, St. Joseph Home located on Florence Avenue, was founded in 1872. As the Sisters’ mission grew a second home was needed and St. Peter’s Home was established on Riddle Road in 1886. This Home was replaced with the current building in 1975.
To strengthen our ministry and bolster the quality of our religious and community life, we Little Sisters recognize the need to withdraw from a certain number of Homes in the United States, while at the same time dedicating our resources to much needed upgrades and reconstruction projects in several others.
Today we introduce Lackawanna Healthcare Associates to the St. Paul’s community. They are the group that operate our former Home in Scranton, Pennsylvania. They are very interested in purchasing St. Paul’s and continuing to operate it as a senior living residence. We are hopeful that we will enter into an agreement with them very soon.
There is no doubt in my mind that this decision will sadden you deeply, as it does us. However, I count on your continued support of our mission, especially during this difficult time of transition. The Residents need you in their lives now more than ever. We will do our utmost to keep you informed as the process unfolds and truly understand how profoundly this has impacted your life.
Our gratitude for your devotedness and assistance in helping us care for God’s elderly, for your financial support and for goods in kind, will always inspire a song of praise in our hearts. We ask our Mother, St. Jeanne Jugan, to intercede for you, that God will bless and reward you and your loved ones a hundredfold.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Mother Marie Edward, l.s.p.