Happy Birthday Felician Village!

Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

I have a relative who always tells her daughters the story of their birth on their birthday. It’s a great tradition of sharing the joys and fears from that anticipated moment, the context of their birthdate, and the reaction of the most significant people in their lives. Knowing that story offers them a view into what it must have meant for their family for them to arrive in the world. It also emphasizes the current love that their family has for them.

This year, Felician Village celebrates its 137th birthday. On August 27, 1887, three Felician Sisters answered the call of Fr. Zdislaus Łuczyki to serve here in Manitowoc. The priest had started a ministry to serve orphans and older people without means of care, just the kind of ministry that the Felicians under the direction of Blessed Angela Truskowska in Poland in that same century. Mother Mary Veronica, Sister Mary Felicita, and Sister Mary Martha came from Detroit to serve. They went through the modest farmsteads of Manitowoc with baskets asking alms for the orphans and the poor, and people gave generously. They cared for those who were housed here, offering meals, laundry, and eventually nursing and education. The site also served as the first hospital in the community, up until 1890.

In 1899, Fr. Łuczyki deeded the property and the ministry to the Sisters, including the 20 acres surrounding the site, which has continuously served the people of Manitowoc and surrounding areas. New buildings went up. Old buildings came down. But, the service to God’s people remained. A school for orphans was in place until 1934. But, the ministry to those who are elderly continued on this site. The Sisters did all the work: nursing, cooking, cleaning, laundry, and much more. The surrounding community gave with open hearts to the cause here, as is the case today!

The most recently constructed building is the current St. Mary’s Home. Before that, the Village Square, the assisted living apartments at The Court, and the independent living apartments at The Gardens were constructed. Transformation is one of the Core Values of Felician Village, and that has most certainly been evident throughout the history of this ministry. The Sisters have served where they are needed. The mission of continuing the healing ministry of Jesus by providing compassionate care that respects the dignity of each person we serve continues to be evident throughout this space.

We are so very thankful for this ministry to the community and offer a heartfelt Happy Birthday to Felician Village!

Blessed Angela: “Give aid to all without exception … for everybody is our neighbor.”