A Ministry with Mickey

Sister Mary Morley just left Providence Health Care and headed toward the Providence Hall Community Room.

She sat down for our interview but forgot her phone at health care. We’ll get back to that in a moment.

She goes to health care every day after lunch to visit with many of the Sisters of Providence in the facility and others.

And she brings a special visitor. Her dog, Mickey.

For many years, Sister Mary ministered in the Cincinnati area, but in 2022, she came back to the Woods. After settling in, she received a letter from General Councilor Sister Laura Parker asking if any Sister of Providence returning to the Woods would be interested in visiting those in health care as a new ministry.

“I thought I could do that,” Sister Mary said. “I wanted to find enough to do to keep me busy. And going to health care takes up a big chunk of time.”

And Mickey ended up being the ace in her sleeve.

Mickey is 12-years-old. He is a mixed-breed dog, but mostly terrier. And he’s been at Sister Mary’s side for several years.

“I got him when he was 13 months old,” Sister Mary said. “He was wandering the streets in Cincinnati. My friend opened the car door and he hopped right in.”

Sister Mary said they tracked down the owner of Mickey who eventually was not able to continue caring for him. That’s when Sister Mary took him in.

“He’s a very calm, mild-mannered dog,” Sister Mary admitted. “Many of the people in health care love to see him.”

During her health care visits, Sister Mary gives each person a treat and they then offer it to Mickey.

“He puts his paws up on their knees or he will sit,” Sister Mary said. “Sister Kathleen Dede absolutely loves him. He just loves the attention.”

Anyway, back to the search for the phone.

Sister Mary and I walked back over to the facility and found her phone in the room of Sister Kathleen “Kak” Desautels. After finding the phone, she and I were leaving when we came upon Sister Ann Margaret O’Hara.

Sister Mary stopped to chat and placed a treat on Sister Ann Margaret’s knee. Mickey knew the drill. He placed his paws on her knees and grabbed the treat. Sister Mary then placed another treat into Sister Ann Margaret’s hands and Mickey sat before placing his paws back on her knees to take the treat out of her waiting hand.

Sister Ann Margaret smiled.