What a profound honor it is to be with you today as we gather to celebrate a remarkable milestone—the 80th anniversary of the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.
We are here not just to mark the passage of time, but to honor a legacy. A legacy of healing, of compassion, and of unwavering faith that began eight decades ago with a courageous group of women: the Sisters of Mercy.
82 years ago, in 1943, the idea of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had its beginnings when a group of Catholic laymen of the “Sword of the Spirit” movement saw the need for another hospital in Georgetown, Guyana.
“They envisioned that this hospital would have as its philosophy, the commitment to serve the community by making available competent health care to those who sought it, irrespective of race, colour or creed, mindful of the teachings of Jesus Christ, Gospel values and the spiritual/physical nature of humankind endeavors. The dignity and individuality of every person was to be honoured by rendering this care in a compassionate and Christian manner.”
“As a result of this decision, a committee was setup to bring this project into being. The committee was comprised of doctors, lawyers and businessmen, all members of the “Sword of the Spirit” movement. Thus, in December 1943, with St. Joseph as it patron and a donation of three thousand dollars, the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital had its beginnings.
In March 1944, on the Feast of St. Joseph, the committee was successful in getting the Sisters of Mercy to undertake the Administration of the newly founded Hospital, thus solving one major problem for the committee. At the same time, property then known as Colonna House, already run as a private nursing home came into the market for sale. This property was purchased and renovated and expanded and was the familiar frontage of St. Joseph Mercy Hospital unto the twenty-first century.
And so Eighty years ago, guided by the visionary spirit of their foundress, Catherine McAuley, the Sisters brought this Institution to life with a mission that was both simple and revolutionary: to meet the needs of the suffering, especially the poor, the sick, and the uneducated.
They did not come with vast financial resources, but with a far greater currency: mercy. They built this institution not just with bricks and Greenheart timber, but with prayer, with sacrifice, and with a profound belief in the sacredness of every human person. They saw medicine not merely as a science, but as a ministry—a direct extension of Christ’s healing touch.
For 80 years, that spirit has been the heartbeat of this hospital. From its humble beginnings, it has grown in size, in technology, and in medical excellence. We have witnessed incredible advances, pioneered new treatments, and expanded our services to meet the changing needs of our community. An outstanding example of this expansion is Mercy Resident Care which now cares for 43 residents at Vryied’s Lust.
There have been challenges along the way. The most significant in recent memory was the devastating fire which began shortly before 7 am on Monday May 10, 2010.
There were 32 patients and 4 babies in the hospital on that faithful day. All were successfully evacuated and relocated to other facilities within 2hrs and 15 minutes.
Losses were suffered by the Medical Records Department, Admission/Discharge Offices, Chapel, Private Doctors Offices, one of the Operating Rooms, Central Supplies Room, Nursing Services, on-call rooms for the Lab and Doctors, the Emergency Room and Housekeeping were all destroyed.
Within two weeks a plan was developed to rebuild. This rebuilding friends would not have been as smooth were it not for the Dedicated efforts of persons like Christopher Fernandes who we honour today for his outstanding contributions. He led the Fund raising efforts both locally and overseas. The hospital received donations from many organizations. It was humbling to see these expressions of support from persons all around the world who reminded us of the many lives Mercy Hospital has touched.
The construction commenced in October 2011 and was completed on June 30, 2013. The project saw the building of the Materials Management Building which was used to house Doctors when work was being done on the North Wing. There were improved Doctors’ offices, a four (4) bed Emergency Room, a four (4) bed Recovery Room, two (2) Operating Rooms and a four (4) bed ICU/HDU. Through the rebuilding project, the hospital continued to offer quality service and care to all who visit the hospital.
There were many days we thought that we were near the end. We struggled to meet payroll some months. But with prayer and the support of many we rose from the ashes.
And here we are continuing today in the Ministry of Healing…..
But through it all, one thing has remained constant: the core identity etched into its foundation—the Critical Concerns of Mercy: to care for the Earth, to stand with immigrants, to oppose racism, to serve the poor, and to honor the dignity of every life from conception to natural death.
This is what sets Mercy Hospital apart. It is the nurse who takes an extra moment to hold a patient’s hand. It is the caregiver who ensures that the best possible care is given to those in need. It is the commitment to healing the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.
Today, the Sisters may no longer be the sole administrators, but their spirit is alive in every corridor. Each one of you carries it forward: the dedicated physicians, nurses, technicians, aides, volunteers, and staff. You are the modern-day healers, the living embodiment of that Mercy mission. You answer the call daily, often under difficult circumstances, to be a source of comfort and expert care.
And to you, our patients and community members, thank you for your trust. You are the reason we exist. Your stories of healing and resilience are the true measure of our success.
As we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us, we look to the future with hope and resolve. The challenges in healthcare are great, but our guiding light is brighter. Our mission is not a relic of the past; it is instead a compass for the future.
We recommit ourselves today to being a place of refuge and advanced healing. A place where technology is tempered by tenderness, and where no one is just a number, but a person worthy of dignity and respect.
So, let us celebrate these 80 years with immense gratitude. Let us honor the courage of the Sisters of Mercy, the dedication of all who have served and continue to serve, and the resilience of this community.
May we continue this sacred work for the next 80 years and beyond, always remembering our calling: to be merciful, just as our Creator is merciful.
Thank you, and happy anniversary!
