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The Sisters of Charity are pleased to pass on the flame of their mission and hand over their buildings and land already under the governance of Bruyère Continuing Care (Bruyère). On February 20, 1845, Mother Élisabeth Bruyère and her companions arrived in Bytown. So began their mission of love, service and compassion—a mission which continues to this day. Since the 1990s, Bruyère has carefully managed and maintained the buildings and land, firmly committed to pursuing the mission of excellence with which it was entrusted.
(French vidéo from Tv Rogers)
The Sisters of Charity of Ottawa are assigning more than 31 acres of land to Bruyère, situated in three different locations where Bruyère has buildings.
Bruyère, under the patronage of the Catholic Health Sponsors of Ontario, will uphold the Catholic ethos and Christian values of which it is heir. As one of the largest health centres of its kind in Canada, Bruyère plays a key role in responding to the needs of the aging and ill population, in a bilingual environment of complex continuing care, geriatric rehabilitation, stroke rehabilitation, long-term care, and affordable accommodation for seniors.
Bruyère complements the care provided in acute care establishments by easing the transition between the various care facilities and encouraging the eventual return of patients to the community. Bruyère strives for excellence and innovation through teaching, education and research.
While the Bruyère Foundation works incessantly to raise funds to help change the lives of the sick and elderly in our region, the Bruyère Research Institute focuses on patient-oriented and health services research, aligning its research themes with the clinical priorities of Bruyère.
For over 172 years, Bruyère has evolved to meet the growing and changing needs of the community while ensuring that it offers high-quality care to the sick, the most vulnerable, and those in need.
The Bruyère team is delighted to accept the torch from the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa to pursue the mission and perpetuate the legacy of providing compassionate care. Remarks from Sr. Rachelle Watier, general superiorDistinguished guests,
One hundred and seventy-two years ago, this young Elisabeth Bruyère planted a tree and we are sitting today in its shade. It is huge tree because after one month in Bytown she established a whole social network: General Hospital, school, home for assisted living.
For today’s event, I will be bold enough to paraphrase the Ecclesiastic passage : « There is a time for everything; a time for planting, a time to sow and prune; a time to reap; a time to let-go and a time to pass on.” Today is the day to pass on.
There is joy but nostalgia today. Nostalgia about those good professional days where lasting friendships were born. Nostalgia of that little hospital our foundress left us, urging us to always leave room in the hospital for the poor and to make sure that compassion and love were the cornerstone of our institution. There is joy also to give on a priceless heritage to people that will bring forward this legacy and make it shine. Today, we are giving a future to our past.
In 1993, we had passed on the matches to light the fire. Today we are passing on the casing…
Why are we doing this? Last week, Christopher Plummer received the Lifetime Achievement Award and gave one of the main reasons why today we, the Sisters of Charity of Ottawa, are passing on the flame. « I am old, I am dangerously old! When I was born I even uttered the words in Latin! » I am not old personally, my colleagues are! Jokes aside, age is an important factor in today’s decision.
Since 1993, Bruyère, with the cooperation and sponsorship of CHSO, had the heart of our charism. They needed the soul. Today we give them the soul of our charism, we give them wholeheartedly our mission. When you have heart and soul, you go long ways to make a difference in the world of healthcare, to bring the healing and comfort process to a whole new level.
Bruyère has always stood tall and faced adversity with dignity.
As we grow older, we bequeath our assets to family and friends. But when we give a spiritual legacy, it is only to those we cherish. We are passing on our spiritual heritage, our mission to an institution that carries on our name: Bruyère. And we are happy to do so. This is the real legacy that we are giving far more reaching and valuable than assets.
Mother Bruyère would leave you this story that fits so much Bruyère:
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the four pups. As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy. 'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.' 'Well,' said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.' The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. 'I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?” 'Sure,' said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. 'Here, Dolly!' he called. Out from the doghouse ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy’s eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared. This one was noticeably smaller. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up… 'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.' With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, 'You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.' With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy. 'How much?' asked the little boy. 'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'
The world is full of people who need someone who understand. There is no charge for love. Please, Bruyère, do not forget that it is love that make great institutions.
Sr. Rachelle Watier, s.c.o.
General Superior
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