New Miracle Home building to serve more elders in need

“The weather could not have been better. The staff and clients of Miracle Home couldn’t have been more welcoming and joyous. The mission of Miracle Home couldn’t be more alive and well.”

This is how Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, General Superior Sister Dawn Tomaszewski, SP, summed up the Feb. 4 dedication ceremony of the new Miracle Home building in Taishan, Taiwan, attended by many friends and neighbors, in addition to those who are regularly served by Miracle Home.

Miracle Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, needed a larger facility to meet the needs of the elderly in the area. The project, more than two years in the making, expanded the ministry by more than 60 occupants.

Current Miracle Home Director, Sister Rose Chiu, SP, said. “This new home represents our commitment to serving the elderly and those with disabilities in our community, carrying forward the mission of the Sisters of Providence to ‘honor God and benefit people.’”

Along with Sister Dawn, Vicar/General Treasurer Sister Jeanne Hagelskamp, SP, and General Councilors Sister Anne Therese Falkenstein, SP, and Sister Carole Kimes, SP, attended the ceremony.

Hard Work Pays Off

Following a blessing ritual for the new facility, Sister Delan Ma, SP, who founded Miracle Home and is the current chair of the Board, offered her gratitude for all those who made the new building possible. The three bishops of Taiwan, who presided over the ritual, also traveled throughout the new building, blessing the rooms on their way.

“We thank God for His blessing, enabling Miracle Home to serve our elders for 25 years,” Sister Delan said. “We know many elders still need our services, but due to limited space, we urgently needed a larger venue.

“Over the past two years, thanks to the support and guidance of relevant government departments, the hard work of the construction team and the donations of money and goods from religious circles, businesses and kind-hearted individuals, the assistance of volunteers in fundraising sales and the dedication of our colleagues at Miracle Home, we have made this new Miracle Home possible.”

A ‘Beacon’ of Hope

Sister Dawn was also given the opportunity to speak and offered her thanks to Sister Delan and Sister Rose as well as the staff and volunteers of Miracle Home.

“Miracle Home has become a beacon of hope for elders in need in this area,” Sister Dawn said. “Miracle Home will be able to extend its reach to even more individuals in need. The Sisters of Providence extend their deep gratitude and heartfelt congratulations to all whose perseverance and service have brought this project to fruition.”

The Miracle Home expansion will enable the ministry to serve 86 people compared to 24 the older building allowed. Miracle Home’s ministry offers service to low-income clients who are elderly or with disabilities in the Taishan and Wugu townships through collaboration with county and township governments. It houses a senior service center with on-site services daily as well as Meals on Wheels and many social services.

The ministry was founded in 2000.

“Thank you all,” Sister Delan said. “Please continue to give us your guidance, support and love. We pray that God will bless our new home, a place filled with love, where people are respected, accepted and cherished.”

The Sisters of Providence have a long history of ministering in Asia, having embarked there in 1920, led by Mother Mari Gratia Luking, who established the mission in Kaifeng, China, and later into Taiwan.

“Surely Mother Marie Gratia Luking … would take great pride in the loving care that continues to define the legacy of Miracle Home,” Sister Dawn said. “May our Provident God continue to bless Miracle Home and its people with love, mercy and justice.”