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SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTHCARE...SPIRITUALITY IN HEALTHCARE...SPIRITUALITY IN

Living the Legacy:

Mission Formation at Holy Cross Hospital

As a Catholic, non-profit mation program with participants gather for further reflection and who will help identify the meaning
hospital, Fort Lauderdale- two major goals: on the topics. The first class focuses on in the work we do each day,” said Sister
based Holy Cross Hos - (1) to develop and the vocation and call to healthcare. Rita Levasseur, vice president of mission
pital’s ministry formation nurture the spiritual- Subsequent classes explore topics such integration at Holy Cross.
program is essential to pre- ity of Associates; as the Sisters of Mercy and the Mercy At the end of the two-year program, a
serving its religious legacy (2) to educate and heritage; what it means to be a Catholic formal commitment ceremony is held, in
and ongoing mission to inform them of what institution; the importance of a faith- which the newest class of Legacy Leaders
care for the sick, dying and it means to be part of based community; decision making officially pledges to commit themselves
most vulnerable members a Catholic healthcare guided by ethics; and the role of Catholic to carrying on the legacy of the Sisters of
of the local community. Ministry. social teachings and ethical and religious Mercy.
Founded as a Catholic The resulting directives in Catholic healthcare. The “When the Legacy Institute was devel-
healthcare institution in Legacy Institute for- first year culminates in a day of prayer oped, we didn’t realize the extent to
1955, the Archdiocese of mally launched in and reflection on what has been learned which it would strengthen our commu-
Miami invited the Pitts - 2007. during all of the Institute's workshops nity. Legacy Leaders share a personal
burgh-based Sisters of Mercy Sister Rita Levasseur Each year, men and and seminars. level of trust in one another, resulting in
to assume management of women of diverse cul- During the second year, one-hour meaningful connections and the growth
the hospital in 1959. While the hospital tural, ethnic and religious backgrounds monthly meetings are held that further of a caring community in which to
is now under the leadership of Trinity enroll in the intensive two-year program, reinforce the prior year's teachings. serve,” said Sr. Levasseur.
Health, one of the largest multi-institu- which is open to those who work in clin- Participants share experiences and In addition to the Legacy Institute, all
tional Catholic health care delivery sys- ical and non-clinical roles throughout search for additional clarity in their role Holy Cross Associates and volunteers
tems in the United States, Holy Cross the hospital, its medical group offices and responsibilities as future "Legacy participate in annual ministry formation
continues to operate in the spirit of the and urgent care centers. In a testament to Leaders." training to ensure the hospital's Catholic
Sisters of Mercy to this day, with three the Institute's importance and the role it With a particular focus on integrating identity remains strong for years to
Sisters serving in day-to-day roles on plays in the hospital’s faith-based mis- what they have learned into their person- come, and to carry on the Sisters' legacy
campus and several additional Sisters sion, Associates who volunteer to par- al ministries, Legacy Leaders are encour- of caring for those most in need.
serving on the hospital’s board of direc- take in the program continue to receive aged to filter their experiences and share “Ministry formation reminds us that
tors. their normal, full wages during their their knowledge with their departmental everyone’s role is essential. Our work is
hours of participation. colleagues and within the Holy Cross not just a job. Although we may be in the
The Legacy Institute The first year of the Legacy Institute community at large. business of healthcare, we share a com-
Five decades after the Sisters of Mercy consists of monthly, full-day, offsite sem- “These are the men and women from mon ministry: to care for the sick, dying
first arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Holy inars, followed by weekly, 15-minute all parts of our hospital who will ask the and most vulnerable,” Sr. Levasseur
Cross created a formalized ministry for- meetings during which small groups of important questions when issues arise added.

22 December 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News