Celebrating a Century of
Compassionate Care
Centennial Blog:
Getting to Know Lenore Maurer at Sacred Heart Home
Q: Where did you grow up? Buffalo Q: What was your hometown before coming to Sacred Heart Home?...
Profile of Margaret “Mary” Honer, Sacred Heart Home Resident
Q: Where did you grow up? What was your hometown before coming to Sacred Heart Home? I grew up in...
Jan Eaton, Trier Woods Office Manager, Celebrates 40 Years on Campus!
Do you remember your first day of work on campus? It was Feb. 6, 1984. I have worked in this...
Meet Rose ~ The First Client at Our Outpatient Therapy Clinic in Jan. 2018!
Q: How did you hear about our clinic? I was anxious for the clinic to open in 2018. In October...
Q&A With Bonnie Tunmore, Outpatient Therapy Clinic Client
Q: What made you choose The Brothers of Mercy Outpatient Therapy Clinic for rehab? A: I was...
Profile of Barbara Kobos, Sacred Heart Home Resident
What was your hometown before coming to Sacred Heart Home? I grew up on the East side of Buffalo...
Ben Madonia: Proud Veteran & Musician Who is at Home in the Trier Woods Apartments
Within The Brothers of Mercy Trier Woods independent living apartments, there are several...
Lorraine Probst, Foundation Advisory Council Member, Reflects on Her Mother’s Journey in Skilled Nursing Center
Lorraine Probst is a retired clinical social worker who specialized in children and families. She...
Recognizing Our Volunteers at the Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center
The Brothers of Mercy Nursing and Rehab Center is genuinely blessed to have more than 35 active...
Outpatient Therapy Clinic Always Ready to Get You Back on Track
The community has always recognized The Brothers of Mercy as a premier destination for short-term...
The Brothers of Mercy Campus Foundation
Foundation (noun): A body or ground upon which something is built. The Campus Foundation at The...
The History of The Brothers of Mercy in Western New York
The Brothers of Mercy’s origins stem from one humble mission: to honor Christ through service to...
Centennial Interviews with The Brothers
Brother Edmund
What are your earliest memories and activities from when you became a Brother on campus?
I went to Father Baker for high school, and after high school I joined the Navy and served for two-and-a-half years from 1969-1972. I traveled a lot while I was in the Navy to places such as Puerto Rico, Malta, Naples and Rome. Once I was out of the service, I visited the Brothers two or three times before I was accepted in 1978, which happened to be the same date that Pope John Paul II was chosen to be our Pope.
In between the service and officially becoming a Brother, I worked at Buffalo General and St Louis Church. When I became a Brother, the Nursing Home was already in existence. I was a CNA at the nursing home where I could only take care of male patients at that time. I left the Clarence Campus in 1982 to begin work at their Jewett Parkway location in Buffalo, doing in-home care, where Brother Fidelis was my superior. I did this until 1995 and came back to the Clarence Campus where I have been since.
What was a day in the life of a Brother when you began here?
I would wake up, attend mass and then work from 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. After work, I would do some chores and relax.
What is something you are most proud of?
My career in In-Home nursing. However it was always difficult to leave my patients knowing they were passing away.
What do you see the future looking like for Brothers of Mercy in the next 100 years?
I would like to see them prosper and carry on the best we can.
What impact do you believe Brothers of Mercy has had on the community and how has it influenced the quality of senior care?
We have always put our patients and residents first. The family-like atmosphere is strong here and helps our purpose of providing kind and compassionate care.
Brother Fidelis
What are your earliest memories and activities from when you became a Brother on campus?
I am originally from North Tonawanda and after high school I decided to enter the Army. After my service, I decided to “give it a try and if it’s for me great, and if not that’s ok.” Turns out it was for me, and I became a Brother in my early 20s.
How many Brothers were there in the beginning?
I started in downtown Buffalo and did home care. I was a nurse and would ride my bike, as did all the Brothers, through any kind of weather, to care for our patients. After a while, I came out to Clarence and worked in our Nursing Home as a nurse.
What was a day in the life of a Brother when you began here?
I would wake up, attend Mass and then work a full shift. After work, all the Brothers would get together, talk and relax
What is something you are most proud of?
The growth we’ve seen and our campus itself.
What was the Founders mentality, their beliefs and goals?
To provide help and care for those who really need it.
What do you see the future looking like for Brothers of Mercy in the next 100 years?
When I began, young men were in the spirit of helping, giving and upholding our mission. Times have changed a lot of things. I don’t think the campus will grow any more than it has, and a lot has to do with the fact that young people don’t seem to have the same passion we did back then as Brothers.
What impact do you believe Brothers of Mercy has had on the community and how has it influenced the quality of senior care?
When people are sick and dying, the Brothers were the pioneers in this type of compassionate senior care.
Fun Facts:
- Brother Fidelis loved to dance, and his favorite was doing the Polka!
- Brother Fidelis was in charge of Spiritual Care in the Nursing Home for many years.
- Brother Fidelis served in the Army and was stationed in Germany
Brother Ken
What are your earliest memories and activities from when you became a Brother on campus?
I came to the campus at the age of 35. I visited in 1995 and met with Brother Jude and Brother Terrence and then moved here in 1996 and lived at the White House. When I was asked how I was doing by Brother Jude, I replied that it was going ok, and Brother Jude replied, “You are not here to have fun. You are here to save your soul.”
What characteristics would you want to be remembered by as our current Brother Superior?
I want to be fair in listening to the Brothers and taking care of the Brothers, and I always listen. I like to look at the good and bad of previous leaders and try to emulate the good and change the bad. I pride myself on treating people fairly and not barking at them. You don’t treat everyone the same, you know their strengths and don’t micromanage.
What was a day in the life of a Brother when you began here?
I would begin the day with morning prayer or mass. I was a cook and dietary aide at Sacred Heart Home. When I was not working, I would go to class for spiritual learning. I would end my day with evening prayer and the rosary. I would look forward to community night, which was once a month when I was able to go out to eat.
What is something you are most proud of?
I am proud of my longevity here on campus after 27 years and still going.
What do you see the future looking like for Brothers of Mercy in the next 100 years?
I feel that come 10 to 20 years from now, there will no longer be Brothers on campus. I anticipate that even with the absence of the Brothers, the mission and value system will live on through the years. Brothers of Mercy will continue to adapt to the industry changes while maintaining the core values and standards the Brothers have set.
What impact do you believe Brothers of Mercy has had on the community and how has it influenced the quality of senior care?
The Brothers of Mercy is one of the first to have a continuum of care. People on campus receive the same care no matter what the building they are in.
Brother Terrence
What are your earliest memories and activities from when you became a Brother on campus?
When I started here on campus in 1957, I was 19 years old and not a Brother at that time. I was a novice for two years and then took my first vows to become a Brother. I took temporary vows for six years, and then made my final vows in 1963. At that time, the Brothers lived in the White House. My official position was the formation director, and I held that position for six years.
How many Brothers were there when this opened in the very beginning?
There were 30 Brothers on campus when I began. I was in a class of six in training to become a Brother and was the only one from that class that succeeded. During our training, we were put in nursing school, and after I graduated as an RN, I went back and became a COTA as it became obvious there were other rehabilitative needs on campus. I was granted my first vacation after many years of working and was given $40 to spend for my trip. I spent that time with family and was so proud that I was able to bring back the $40. My last 14 years of service were spent as an activities aide in the nursing home.
What was a day in the life of a Brother when you began here?
We began our day with morning prayers and mass. I worked in the kitchen doing dishes, and we would get a coffee break at 10 a.m. There was no eating in between meals as we took a vow of poverty. There was a Brother in charge of cooking all our meals. After working for the day, we would have evening prayers, eat dinner together and then prayers at 9 p.m.
What is something you are most proud of?
I am most proud of the ability to accompany so many people in their sickness and wellness.
What do you see the future looking like for Brothers of Mercy in the next 100 years?
The hope is that all the lay people will carry on the good quality care that each person deserves.
What impact do you believe Brothers of Mercy has had on the community and how has it influenced the quality of senior care?
Brothers of Mercy has always been known for our quality of care. We were pioneers of quality care and that has never faltered over the years. We are also known for doing the work of God.
What Made the U.S. & World News in 1924?
2023-24 Events & Celebrations
On April 19, staff gathered with Dr. Michael Noe, a member of The Brothers of Mercy Board of Directors, on the 4th floor East Rehab wing in the Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to unveil a plaque in honor of his wife Paula S. Noe. Thank you Dr. Noe for your generous spirit and leadership!
On April 18, the second exhibit called “The Nature of Things” is now open at The Art Gallery at Montabaur Heights! The public is invited to view the gallery daily from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. It features more than 30 transparent watercolor paintings by Dan Meyer, a Williamsville artist, illustrator and founding member of the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society. Meyer’s exhibit will be on display through June 30. Gallery visitors can also have lunch between 11 a.m. – 1: 15 p.m. in the Montabaur Heights dining room by calling 716-407-5102 to make a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.
On April 17, staff hosted the annual Volunteer Recognition luncheon at the Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Thank you to our volunteers for everything they do to help residents & staff! Congratulations to Alice Sosa (pictured on left) for being named Volunteer of the Year! Since January 2021, she has served more than 700 hours of transporting residents and patients, delivering mail, visiting with residents and assisting at our Campus Foundation special events.
On March 23, the Human Resources Department hosted the third annual community Easter Egg Hunt in front of the former Sacred Heart Home. Despite the snow and 27-degree temperature, many families turned to enjoy the morning’s activities.
Montabaur Heights & Trier Woods residents enjoyed a great St. Patrick’s Day celebration!
On February 22, staff held a chili competition as part of our monthly Centennial celebration activities. There were entries from every building on campus, and a champion was crowned. The Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center received the most votes for best chili. Congratulations to Kyle Higgins, Executive Chef, and TJ Stockweather, Food Service Supervisor, for making the best batch & winning the trophy!
There is already talk of defending their title with a macaroni & cheese contest this fall…