42840_ALEX Alexians Summer 2013 8_The Alexians Summer v 6/13/13 2:30 PM Page 1 TheAlexians The Love of Christ Impels Us Alexian Brothers Health System Francis Cardinal George visits ABWCH Vision Statement Alexian Brothers Health System will engage all our associates rancis Cardinal George, and partners in a prophetic, O.M.I., Archbishop of holistic approach to healthcare, FChicago, praised the rooted in Gospel values and “magnificent heritage” of the the 800-year legacy of the Alexian Brothers and their Alexian Brothers. We seek impact on healthcare in the to bring healing to a broken Chicago area during a special world through collaboration blessing event at the newly with others. opened Alexian Brothers Mission Statement Women and Children’s Alexian Brothers Health System Hospital (ABWCH). carries out the healing mission Cardinal George’s visit of the Catholic Church through April 29 concluded a series of the Alexian Brothers ministries celebrations surrounding the by identifying and developing opening of the $125 million effective responses to the health hospital April 6. Located adja- Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., poses for a photo with (left to right) Brother Theodore and housing needs of those we cent to St. Alexius Medical Loucks, C.F.A., Brother Jeffrey Callander, C.F.A., Brother Daniel McCormick, C.F.A., Brother are called to serve. Tom Klein, C.F.A., Novice Brother Paul Magner, C.F.A., and Priest/Chaplain Father Domingo Center in Hoffman Estates, Ill., Hurtado at Alexian Brothers Women and Children’s Hospital. ABWCH provides convenient access to a broad continuum of advanced pedi- place, in the history of this archdiocese and of atric care that families in Chicago’s northwest our city,” Cardinal George said. suburbs previously could receive only by travel- The arrival of ABWCH begins “a new era of ing much farther. advanced pediatric care in the Chicago suburbs,” “It’s a great joy to be with the Alexian said Cardinal George, who blessed physicians, Brothers community once again, at a new facility staff, patients and their families during his visit this time…and to see again the way in which to the 126-bed hospital. “This is a great service (their) magnificent heritage…has played itself to bring a children’s and women’s hospital of Summer 2013 out in institution after institution, in place after (continued on page 7) 42840_ALEX Alexians Summer 2013 8_The Alexians Summer v 6/13/13 2:30 PM Page 2 Summer2013 Alexian Brothers’ mission resonates with guests at Ball de Fleur n 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed Scheffler, Assistant Vice President of the Alexian Alexian Brothers Hospital just five years after Brothers Foundation. IBrother Bonaventure Thelen, C.F.A., had Highlights of the evening included remarks founded the Alexian Brothers’ U.S. ministry in by Brother Daniel “Dan” McCormick, C.F.A., the Windy City. Among the many other structures Provincial of the Immaculate Conception consumed by the fire was the Palmer House Hotel, Province of the Congregation of Alexian which had been open for just 13 days. Brothers, who talked about their 800-year Quick to rebuild, the two organizations history, their tradition of caring for the mentally since have become enduring parts of Chicago’s ill, the dying, the poor and the disenfranchised, institutional landscape, and on May 4, they and the importance of philanthropy to the Alexian Brothers’ mission. Brother Dan also asked guests to think of Brother Valentino “Val” Bianco, C.F.A., who played an important role in organizing the Ball de Fleur for many years. Brother Val suffered a stroke in 2012 and missed the event for the first time this year. After Brother Dan’s remarks, an eight- minute video spotlighted the Alexian Brothers Housing and Health Alliance (ABHHA). The video included interviews with ABHHA clients, who described how the Alliance saved and improved their lives. Brother Dan, Mark Frey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alexian Brothers Health System, and Cheryl Potts, ABHHA Executive Director, also appeared in the video. Frey kicked off the Ball de Fleur by (Left to right) Alexian Brothers joined forces to host the 27th Annual Alexian welcoming guests and introducing Brother Dan, Foundation Board member Rich Brothers Ball de Fleur at the Palmer House Brother Tom Klein, C.F.A., and Novice Brother Pucci, Marian Pucci, Alexian Brothers Foundation Vice President Melanie Hilton. Paul Magner, C.F.A. Frey also thanked the Ball’s Furlan and John Furlan enjoy the Featuring the theme, “Centuries of Charity Diamond Sponsor, MEA of TEAMHealth, and festivities at the 27th Annual and Charm,” the event attracted more than 500 Platinum Sponsors, Athenahealth, Inc., Power Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur. people and raised $340,000 for the Alexian Construction Company, and Superior Ambu- Brothers Center for Mental Health, the Alexian lance Service. Brothers Housing and Health Alliance (formerly Saif Nazir, M.D., F.A.C.P., President of MEA known as the Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry), of TEAMHealth, delivered the toast. “Together, and the Alexian Brothers Hospice Residence, we applaud the many successes of the Alexian which is expected to open this July in Elk Grove Brothers’ mission-critical programs, and we pay Village, Ill. tribute to the men, women and children, the “It was the most fantastic evening for shin- young and the old, the poor and broken- ing the light on the Alexian Brothers’ mission, hearted, who are in their care – who are in all for fund-raising, and for the three mission- of our care,” he said. “Shouldn’t we all strive 2 critical programs that will benefit,” says Joan (continued on page 8) 42840_ALEX Alexians Summer 2013 8_The Alexians Summer v 6/13/13 2:30 PM Page 3 TheAlexians Provincial’s Letter Dear Alexian Friends: build a monastery, a home for the elderly, The relentless march of time and the unebbing strong community relationships and a vibrant flow of human events can make it seem like the vocations program. only constant in life is change. The Alexian Brothers who founded our But this edition of The Alexians reminds us ministry in Signal Mountain 75 years ago also of another constant – the centuries-old commit- were fearless in their commitment to serving the ment of the Alexian Brothers and their lay physi- elderly. They overcame initial resistance to the cians, associates and supporters to caring for the ministry and later gained community support poor, the sick, the elderly and the vulnerable. because of the high-quality care and services they This commitment is the common thread in provided. Today, the ministry is an important every article in this edition, from our cover story provider of older-adult services across the Signal about Francis Cardinal George’s visit to the new Mountain/Chattanooga area. Alexian Brothers Women and Children’s Hosp- None of these stories exists in isolation from ital (ABWCH) to our reports on the 27th An- the others. They are tied together not only by the nual Alexian Brothers Ball de Fleur, the passing Alexian Brothers’ mission, but also by a pro- of Brother Joseph Francis Czébán, C.F.A., and found respect for the human condition and an the 75th anniversary of the Alexian Brothers’ unwavering spirit of selflessness, perseverance ministry in Signal Mountain, Tenn. and partnership. Made possible by the efforts of our lay The Alexian Brothers continue to be blessed physicians, associates and supporters, ABWCH with lay physicians, associates and supporters provides greater access to advanced pediatric who are fully committed to our mission and to care for families in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, being part of a healing tradition that is larger including individuals who are poor, sick and than any single individual. For them, and for the vulnerable. Before the hospital opened April 6, Alexian Brothers, ego is not part of the equation. suburban families had to travel much farther to It’s all about persevering and partnering on receive such care. behalf of the Alexian Brothers’ mission and This year’s Ball de Fleur epitomized the the people and communities we serve. commitment of our lay supporters to the The only reason the Alexian Brothers have Alexian Brothers’ mission. They turned out survived for 800 years is that partnership is more in force for the event, contributing $340,000 than just a word in a plaque hanging on a wall at to support three mission-critical programs. one of our facilities. It is a lived reality. Our lay Brother Joseph Francis founded the Alexian physicians, associates and supporters embrace Brothers’ mission in Gyo˝rújbarát, Hungary, in the Alexian Brothers’ mission. They live and 2003 and oversaw its steady growth during the breathe it every day. Together, they deliver last 10 years. His work reflected the essence of comfort and healing, standing as a constant the Alexian Brothers’ mission. Identifying a in a world full of change. need to serve the poor elderly, one of society’s most vulnerable groups, Brother Joseph Francis May God Bless You and Yours, committed himself fearlessly to the cause, much like the earliest Alexian Brothers did when they Brother Daniel McCormick, C.F.A. cared for the sick and dying during the Black Provincial Death of the Middle Ages. He took the bull by Immaculate Conception Province of the Alexian Brothers the horns, overcoming numerous challenges to 3 42840_ALEX Alexians Summer 2013 8_The Alexians Summer v 6/13/13 2:30 PM Page 4 Summer2013 IN MEMORIAM: BROTHER JOSEPH FRANCIS CZÉBÁN, C.F.A. ‘Joseph was fearless, just as the early Brothers were fearless’ n a snowy day in February 2003, Brother because he had to build relationships with a Joseph Francis Czébán, C.F.A., stepped Church that had been suppressed for 60 years Ooff a train in Budapest, Hungary, with and with a political state that had been very two suitcases in his hands.