This architect's rendering of Teresian House hangs in a first-floor hallway, near administrative offices.   For many RSCJ, a favorite Teresian House feature is the large, brightly-lit chapel on the first floor, where Mass is celebrated daily. Living areas like this one near the front entrance are scattered throughout the facility for use by small groups of residents housed in "neighborhoods", or small communities of 15-20 residents. Dining areas for small groups of residents are furnished in different styles, often with a Shaker feel to reflect the facility's location near a former Shaker community. Dining areas have adjacent home-like kitchens, where residents can help themselves to snacks at any time, day or night.

As of mid-May, five RSCJ had formed a community at Teresian House, a skilled care facility in Albany, New York, operated by the Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm. Although Teresian House is a large facility – 300 residents – it is divided into "neighborhoods" of fifteen to twenty residents, each with its own living and kitchen/dining area. Daily activities take place in these areas. They are comfortably furnished in various styles to simulate home environments. Each resident has a private room and bath. A large, bright chapel is situated on the first floor.

Anne Byrne, RSCJ, a member of the U.S. provincial team, visited the new community in mid-May and found the RSCJ to be adjusting well to their new surroundings. Members of the community to date, in the order in which they moved from Kenwood, are Sisters Christine Webber, Teresa Kent, Mary Sessions, Dorothy Holmes and Maria Teresa Daza.

"The surroundings are lovely," said Sister Byrne, and each RSCJ has her personal possessions in place. They enjoy daily visits from the pastoral care staff at Kenwood, and are beginning to have weekly "reunions" - gatherings where information is shared. Sister Byrne said she had been impressed by "the kindness of the staff.”

"They even invited visitors to stay for dinner," she said.

The RSCJ at Teresian House "love having visitors," Sister Byrne said. She noted that  RSCJ came to Albany from Boston during Holy Week to visit the community at Teresian House.

The Carmelite Sisters of the Aged and Infirm was founded in the United States in 1929 and opened its first home for the elderly in the New York Bronx two years later. The Albany facility opened in 1974 and was transformed from a "medical model" to a "social model" in the 1990s. An article about the transformation, “Teresian House Takes a Team-Based Approach to Care of the Elderly,” appeared in Health Progress, a publication of the Catholic Health Association in November/December 2001.

Staff members from Kenwood Convent of the Sacred Heart make daily visits to the new community at Teresian House. Here, Meg Canty, RSCJ, Kenwood administrator, sits with Mary Sessions, RSCJ.

Dorothy Holmes, RSCJ, relaxes in her room in her new home.