PATIENT 1 – Patient entered our program on 12/18/25 from Mercy Health Youngstown Hospital with several significant barriers. His home was not in condition for him to safely return to and he experienced the loss of both parents who were his primary caregivers throughout his youth and adulthood. Throughout his stay, our team provided support and education around daily living skills, including basic hygiene and medication self-administration, areas that had previously been managed by his parents. Small but meaningful milestones were celebrated, such as taking his medications on time, making his bed, and maintaining the cleanliness of his room. With the support of the Catholic Charities social worker and their assistance with ongoing case management needs, guardianship is being established to ensure long-term, wraparound support. He is also integrated into our Primary Care program to ensure continuity of medical care as he transitions.
PATIENT 2 – Patient entered the program on February 2, 2026, from Cortland Healthcare Center following a prolonged hospitalization. He sustained severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle and was hospitalized for approximately two weeks before transitioning to skilled nursing care. Due to the length of his hospitalization and recovery, he lost his housing. Since admission to the Respite of Hope program, he has successfully established primary care and is actively engaged in supportive services, including chiropractic and acupuncture treatments, diabetic education, and reinforcement of physical therapy strengthening exercises. The Catholic Charities social worker has been making strong progress and remains actively engaged in securing placement in a sober living home, where he will transition once a bed becomes available.
BLESSING – The blessing of Respite of Hope by Bishop David Bonnar on January 8, 2026 was more than a ribbon-cutting—it was the culmination of a faith-driven idea shaped by sacrifice, collaboration and a commitment to restoring dignity to the most vulnerable.
Blessing for the Respite of Hope
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Bishop: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen
Bishop: May the Lord Jesus, who commanded his disciples to minister to the needs of the least of his brothers, be with you all.
People: And with your Spirit.
Bishop: The Father of Mercies and God of all consolation, who strengthens us through his Son in the Holy Spirit, showers his love and blessing in a particular way on those who are in distress, the poor, the lonely, the sick, and on those who minister to their needs in any way.
Not only do those who experience pain, homelessness, sickness and need, make up in their flesh what is lacking in the suffering of Christ for the sake of his Body, the Church, but in addition they are a special reflection of Christ himself. Did he not say that whatsoever we do the one of them, we do to him?
In this realization, then, let us ask for God’s blessing on all those who will be served here at the Respite of Hope and all who will devote themselves to ministering to them; and let us ask the divine blessing on this building, erected for the care of the poor, the marginalized, the homeless, and the sick.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
Matthew 25:31-46
Brothers and Sisters, listen to the words of the holy gospel according to Matthew
Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Bishop: Christ the Lord came into the world to heal the sick and offer comfort to the afflicted. Let us pray to him in humility.
Reader: Lord Jesus, you came to cure the sick and heal the brokenhearted; come to bless this Respite of Hope, prepared for the care of the sick and the housing of the homeless. We pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer. As you preached the Gospel of the Kingdom, you healed every kind of disease among the people; show your compassion and goodness to all who come to this place seeking hope. We pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer. You walked among us as our brother and friend, you ministered to the sick, visited the lonely, welcomed strangers, and brought comfort to all who were afflicted; by the gift of your grace, lift up the hearts of those who will come to this place seeking consolation and help in their need. We pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
You sent your apostles and disciples out to all the towns and villages to proclaim the good news, to seek the lost and the lonely, and to minister to those in need; hear the prayers of your Church for all who suffer and respond to their needs with your healing power and grace. We pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
You promised an everlasting reward to those who visit the sick in your name; deepen our compassion, so that we may always see and love you in our brothers and sisters in need. We pray to the Lord. Lord hear our prayer.
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Bishop: Blessed are you, O God, our Father. Through your Son you commanded your people who walk in newness of life to care compassionately for all who suffer: the poor, the lonely, the sick, and those who lack housing. Attend to the desires of your children. By the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, make this Respite of Hope a house of blessing and a center of love. where the faithful come to visit Christ in the person of their brothers and sisters. Grant that, served in their needs and comforted in their afflictions, those who come here for help will find hope and recovery and will joyfully give you thanks for all the favors they have received. Through Christ our Lord.
CONCLUDING RITE
Bishop: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your Spirit.
Bishop: Bow down for the blessing.
Bishop: God the comforter of the afflicted and strength of the weak has brought you together for the dedication of this building, established to provide respite and hope to the homeless, the sick, the poor, and the afflicted. May he strengthen you by his grace, So that in serving them with tender mercy and love, You may serve Christ himself. Who lives and reigns forever and ever.
People: Amen.
Bishop: May the blessing of Almighty God, The Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Come down upon you and remain with you forever.
People: Amen.
Bishop: Go in the peace of Christ.
People: Thanks be to God.