CROWN POINT – “Let us ask for God’s blessing on all of those who will be patients here or who will devote themselves to caring for the sick, and let us ask the divine blessing on this building, erected for the care of the sick.”
With those words, Diocese of Gary Bishop Robert J. McClory sprinkled holy water throughout the new seven-story, 199-bed Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital as Franciscan Alliance and the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration hosted a Blessing and Dedication ceremony on Jan. 10 at the southeast corner of U.S. 231 and I-65.
The invitation-only VIP event began with an afternoon Mass in the $200 million hospital’s St. Joseph Chapel, which features 100 year-ild stained-glass windows from a former Terre Haute hospital.
“Almighty God the Father, pour out your grace upon this place … strengthen here the hearts of all the faithful,” prayed the bishop during the Mass he celebrated with Father David Kelly, OFM, chaplain, and Father Tony Janik, OFM, spiritual director of the Crown Point facility and a member of the staff since a year after the original hospital opened in 1974 at 1201 S. Main St., in the southwest corner of the city.
Calling the medical facility “unique” as opposed to a mall, an office building or a residence, Bishop McClory noted that the hospital is “a place where the foundation of Jesus is so important. We see in those and to those we minister the face of Christ, see the dignity we see in Christ. In their image of suffering, as we serve others, we are serving Christ.”
Addressing a large community of Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration gathered from throughout Indiana for the event, the bishop thanked them for their healthcare leadership, noting, “Christ is the one who motivates our ministry; he was able to gather so many people together and preach the Word of Christ, but there was also an element of healing as he healed the blind, the lepers … we see in Christ the healer the one we imitate.
This chapel is rooted in the Rock … this whole building finds its meaning in the ministry of Christ; Christ has given us such a beautiful ministry, and such a meaningful building.”
Sister Aline Shultz, OSF, chairwoman of the board for Franciscan Alliance, spoke at the dedication of the religious order’s mission since the first “six pioneer sisters stood more than 148 years ago when they arrived in Lafayette, Indiana from Germany,” and established their first hospital, St. Elizabeth, “for the care of the poor and the sick.”
That mission, she noted, is articulated in the Franciscan Alliance Mission Statement: “Continuing Christ’s Ministry in our Franciscan tradition.”
This mission, she added, “connects us through the 148 years to this moment today, as we prepare to dedicate and bless this space – a space where babies will be born, the sick will be healed and those at the end of their earthly journey will find comfort and peace.”
Looking ahead to “our overall development and vision for the future” at the Crown Point campus, Sister Aline referred to the recent “blessing of a $30 million gift from the Dean and Barbara White Family Foundation – the largest in the history of the Franciscan Health Foundation – (that) will pave the way for the construction of a new, three-story Cancer Center on this campus that will allow for the consolidation of existing cancer care services into one convenient location, under one roof.”
Dr. Daniel McCormick, resident and CEO of the hospital, welcomed guests to the dedication, noting that the building was more than three years in the making following the groundbreaking in September 2020 by Tonn and Blank Construction.
The company, he said, “brought this project in on schedule despite all the challenges of the pandemic and supply chain disruption, not to mention some ‘minor’ change orders like an additional floor on both sides of the building, two additional operating rooms and a few others.”
The “support and investment” of the citizens of Crown Point was acknowledged, too, as McCormick recalled the $1 million raised to build St. Anthony Hospital in 1974. “It wasn’t until 1999 that the facility was purchased from the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago” and became part of the Franciscan Alliance.
Recognizing changes in healthcare and technology, as well as the growing population in south Lake County, the Franciscan Alliance Board of Trustees realized “a significant investment in a new and more accessible state-of-the-art facility was required,” McCormick said.
“This facility was designed to keep patient care and safety at the center while enveloping employees, patients and families in our Catholic traditions,” he explained. “You will see a hybrid operating room with the latest technology to care for advanced cardiac patients, a neonatal intensive care unit with private rooms for our tiniest patients, a pediatric floor developed so we can prevent families from being displaced from our community, the latest in technology in patient safety and convenience, and private patient hallways to maximize patient care and experience.
“Resting beside all these features, you will see stained glass, beautiful artwork, natural finishes and sculpture all meant to bring our tradition to this community,” added McCormick.
The medical facility was built with the capacity to expand from 199 to 300 beds, as well as an attached medical office building and expandable diagnostic and treatment centers.
“This facility is packed with new equipment, including two dedicated robotic surgery rooms and a hybrid surgery room to provide exceptional care,” said Christopher Mussman, D.O., a surgeon and the new president of the hospital’s medical staff.
Calling the dedication “a great day, an exciting day” was Crown Point Mayor Pete Land, noting that “quality health care” is one of the factors influencing people looking for a community to settle in. This hospital will serve thousands and thousands of people who need care.”
“Make this place a house of blessing and a center of love,” Bishop McClory prayed before visiting each available floor of the hospital to bless the units and rooms. “Grant that, comforted in their illness, the sick will leave restored in spirit and body.”
While a public open house planned for Jan. 13 was canceled due to an impending winter storm, the hospital is still scheduled to open on Jan. 28, when patients from the current facility will be transported by a fleet of ambulances.
Editor's Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that windows from the former Franciscan Health hospital in Hammond were located in St. Joseph's chapel. The windows are now at the main entrance to the new Crown Point hospital.
Caption: Bishop Robert J. McClory of the Diocese of Gary, accompanied by hospital chaplain Father David Kelly, OFM, and Sister M. Petra Nielsen, OSF, vice president for Mission Integration for Michigan City and Crown Point, blesses every wall of the new Franciscan Health Crown Point hospital during Blessing and Dedication ceremonies on Jan. 10. The hospital is scheduled to open to patients on Jan. 28. (Marlene A. Zloza photo)