Liturgy for the transition of West Suburban Medical Center and Westlake Hospital

At the end of the month, these two hospitals will be transferred to the ownership of Vanguard Health Center.  A transition liturgy is being held today in both hospitals. This is the introduction to the liturgy of Westlake Hospital

INTRODUCTION TO EUCHARSITIC LITURGY

After many agonizing months, the day is finally in sight when Westlake Hospital will be transferred from the Resurrection Health Care System to the Vanguard system of Health care.

Resurrection had entered the life of Westlake Hospital 12 years ago after you already had been in existence for 71 years. 83 years ago. In 1927, Westlake opened as a for-profit hospital under the ownership of Proviso Hospital Association.

We are proud to have been a part of the health and healing of this community and of everyone who has ever ministered with us or has ever been ministered to here with the perspective of Catholic health Care for these 12 years.

While we have been sponsoring Westlake Hospital, each of you has made an imprint on us.   Resurrection Health Care will never be the same again because of our association with you. The imprint of your personality, your commitment, your special caring and your spirituality will be with us forever. we are proud of our partnership with you and hope that you have been inspired by our presence as well.

Health Care is in a constant state of transformation. During our time together, we have all been transformed.  From now on, our transformation will continue on separate but parallel paths. Resurrection will transform according to the call of Catholic Health Care .Vanguard will transform according to their call- to be in the forefront of Accountable Health Care

When the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Sisters of the Resurrection first came together to sponsor Resurrection Health Care they chose as a symbol two separate streams representing the health care ministry of the two congregations originating from the same source but flowing separately.  In the symbol, the streams come together forming one river within which flow the charisms of both religious congregations inspiring and nourishing the ever-transforming Catholic healing ministry in Chicagoland.

To continue the memory of our relationship, we offer to Westlake Hospital .A water fountain with the intention that the spirituality our charism will continue to influence you as you continue your ministry of health can healing at Westlake Hospital

A picture of the water fountain is here in front of the altar.  It continues the river of water from which source the Resurrection sponsors were inspired in their ministry of health care. The water flows through three vessels. These vessels can symbolize the Trinity and the action of the flowing water symbolizes the action of each member the trinity
in forming a community of persons.  The flow through three vessels invites us to continue the formation of community in our own lives by our actions of love for one another.

May this water fountain speak to you of our pride in being in a part of your lives here at Westlake Hospital for these 12 years, our gratitude for your special care for everyone who came through our doors and our hope for a future that all who continue to provide health and healing in this community will do so filled with hope, peace and joy.

With these thoughts in mind, let us enter into this transitional Eucharistic Liturgy together.