A Vision of Collaboration and Care
Marian Woods was founded through a shared vision among religious congregations seeking a compassionate and sustainable approach to caring for their aging members.
In November 1995, at the invitation of Sr. Patricia Wolf, President of the Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of New York, representatives from several communities of Catholic Sisters gathered to discuss the present and future needs of their elder members.
From these conversations emerged a unique collaboration among five founding congregations:
Together, these congregations recognized the need to thoughtfully plan for the healthcare and daily living needs of their senior Sisters while preserving the values of religious life, community, and spiritual care.
After exploring various options for long-term care, the founding congregations determined that creating a shared residence would provide the most compassionate, effective, and sustainable solution.
Each congregation pledged its own resources toward the construction of the new facility, and in July 2001, Marian Woods officially opened as a jointly owned and governed residence dedicated to retired women religious.
From the beginning, Marian Woods was designed to be more than a care facility. It was envisioned as a peaceful and faith-filled home where Sisters could continue lives of prayer, study, friendship, service, and community while receiving attentive, holistic care.
Today, the founding congregations remain actively involved in the governance and future planning of Marian Woods, continuing the collaborative spirit upon which the community was built.
Marian Woods embraces a philosophy of wellness and “aging in place,” supporting Sisters as their needs evolve over time.
Staff members provide person-centered care that addresses the physical, spiritual, emotional, and social wellbeing of residents.
Opportunities for prayer, enrichment, study, recreation, and outreach remain an important part of daily life within the community.
Even in retirement, many Sisters continue finding meaningful ways to serve others through acts of compassion, creativity, and outreach.
Over the years, more than 150 Sisters have called Marian Woods home.
Continuing its mission of collaboration, Marian Woods welcomes members of additional religious congregations beyond the founding communities. Today, Sisters from several congregations reside together in a supportive environment grounded in shared faith and mutual respect.
Marian Woods continues to serve as a model of collaboration for other religious communities facing the challenges of long-term care for aging members.
Shortly before Marian Woods opened, Cardinal John O’Connor of the Archdiocese of New York praised the vision of the founding congregations, writing:
“I applaud the founding Congregations for their vision and collaboration to make Marian Woods a reality. This unique home for our senior religious will be quite unlike anything in the Archdiocese, and represents a unique opportunity to help those who have cared for so many for so long.”
More than two decades after opening its doors, Marian Woods continues its mission of providing compassionate, faith-centered care to women religious in a warm and peaceful environment rooted in dignity, community, and spiritual life.
The collaborative vision that inspired Marian Woods remains at the heart of the community today.
