Groundbreaking Ceremony LOUISVILLE, Ky (April 24, 2009) - About two dozen Ursuline Sisters gathered in the hot sun on Friday, April 24, to witness the groundbreaking ceremony for Sacred Heart Village’s newest wing. They were joined by members of the Sacred Heart Village community and board, the media, and government leaders.
The new wing will house a new rehabilitation center, 26 private rooms and a spacious therapy gym. The projected completion date is December of this year. That, of course, is if there are no delays in construction.
The event was of special importance to the Ursuline Sisters because it marks a significant step in their journey. Sisters now living at Marian Home will move to Sacred Heart Village once the new wing is completed. However, the Sisters will be housed in a wing of the present health facility that will be renonvated.
Groundbreaking at Sacred Heart Village
“I love that the Sisters will be here. I’m quite thankful,” said Annette Turner, board member at Sacred Heart Village. “I have a real soft spot in my heart for the Ursuline Sisters. They’re trailblazers.”
Annette attended Ursuline schools and her daughter went to Sacred Heart Academy. She said she knows the expansion at Sacred Heart Village will not only make it possible for the facility to welcome the Ursuline Sisters but to respond to the needs of the wider community.
Alberta Fetter has lived at Sacred Heart Village for 15 years. She said she was looking forward to meeting more of the Sisters and that she loves living at the facility. “It’s homey,” Alberta said. “I do what I want to do without people ordering me around. It feels like you are at home rather than in a nursing facility.”
The crowd was filled with people whose lives were touched by the Ursuline Sisters. Among those attending was Sandra Schuster Wettig, who was a Class of 1960 Sacred Heart Academy graduate. She was there with her grandmother who graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1943. Sandra’s mother, Margaret Duerr, used to work as a registered nurse at Marian Home. Sister Raymunda Orth visited with her good friend, Mary Jo Brown, and many other Sisters sat with those they’ve known for years.
During the ceremony, several officials spoke, including City Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh. She explained how the design of the wing and a water retention basin will ensure the project is environmentally sound. “I think that speaks to the importance of the care of our world as we are called to do,” she said. “This basin will collect runoff from both the parking lot and the roof of the new wing. The project will be helping the community without overswhelming MSD (metropolitan sewer district).” Archibishop Joseph Kurtz blessed the site before several of those connected to the project turned the dirt over with their shovels to applause from the crowd. Afterwards, everyone was invited inside for some time together. Desserts, coffee and punch were served while those who would soon be neighbors at Sacred Heart Village visited with each other and those involved in the project.