Published: 23 September 2020

Last Updated: 28 September 2020

Building trust, unifying the Greensboro community

GREENSBORO — When Don and Mary Gay Brady decided to fund construction of a new home for a local family in need, they envisioned unifying fellow parishioners through teamwork for a worthwhile cause. What they didn’t expect, however, was to bridge the cultural gap between different faith traditions. As it turns out, God had higher plans.

Members of Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro, the Bradys inspired between 50 and 75 parishioners to turn out for the initial interest meeting for the Habitat for Humanity build more than a year ago – the largest group the Greensboro organization had ever had come together for a project.

Overcoming various complications and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four-bedroom home was recently completed. The owners are a Muslim family of five from Khartoum, Sudan: Salaheldin and Sanna Abdalla and their three children: Reem, 15; Ramee, 13; and Raaft, 9.
The family came to the United States via the federal government’s visa lottery in 2017 in search of better opportunities in healthcare, education and employment. Both parents work at Procter & Gamble.

They said they are grateful that thanks to Habitat for Humanity, their children will have their own rooms, plenty of space to play, and a place they will call home and grow up in.
Don Brady was overjoyed for the Abdalla family upon the completion of the project.

“It’s wonderful. I’m happy for the mother and father and three young children. It’s a testament to the community and our acceptance of immigrants,” he said.

Added David Kolosieke, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro and a parishioner of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Greensboro, “The Abdalla family was blessed by the generosity of Don and Mary Gay Brady, who sponsored this house in honor of the Our Lady of Grace community. It was an excellent community-building experience for the congregation, and made possible homeownership for the 501st family served by Habitat Greensboro.”

Because volunteers were not allowed on the job site after pandemic restrictions took effect, Habitat employees finished the home, and the Aug. 7 dedication was streamed live on Facebook. Present at the dedication were the Brady and Abdalla families; Kolosieke from Habitat; Sheikh Yaser Ahmed, the leader of the Islamic Center of Greensboro; Pastor DeJuan Harris of Calvary Christian Center; and Father Michael Carlson, parochial vicar of Our Lady of Grace Parish.

In his opening prayer, Sheikh Ahmed said, “O God, bless this house and bless the family that will live in it. Shower them with mercy, peace and tranquility, and unite their hearts and let them live in peace in this beautiful neighborhood.”

Then, Father Carlson welcomed the Abdalla family and gave them an Irish blessing.

He also reflected on the experience: “Last fall, I was out here when we first started the building project and were putting up the walls.

Everyone was working together doing their part, and I thought to myself, ‘What a beautiful thing to see. What if our communities could be like that? What if our city of Greensboro could be like that?’ All of us working together to help each other out, to give each other that helping hand up that we all need at one time or another.”

Another blessing came when Brady learned that he and Sheikh Ahmed are closer than he realized. As providence would have it, his business – Brady Services on 16th Street – and Sheikh Ahmed’s mosque are neighbors. The two met for the first time at the dedication.

“When we made the decision to donate this home, we had no idea that we’d be bringing Catholics and Muslims together,” Brady said with considerable emotion during the dedication. “What a beautiful, beautiful thing to do.”

—  Annie Ferguson, Correspondent.

Pictured: The Abdalla family – Salaheldin and Sanna Abdalla and their three children, Ramee, Raaft and Reem – pose outside their new home in Greensboro with some of the people who helped make the project possible: Don Brady, local businessman and member of Our Lady of Grace Church; David Kolosieke, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Greensboro; and DeJuan Harris, Habitat board member and pastor at Calvary Christian Center. Offering prayers at the opening of their new home were Father Michael Carlson and Sheikh Yaser Ahmed. Don Brady and Sheikh Ahmed meet during the dedication of the Abdalla family’s new home. (Photos provided)

Published: 28 September 2020

Last Updated: 07 October 2020

A place of healing

The new rehab center will take a multi-disciplinary approach to physical, occupational and speech therapy. (Rendering provided by Pennybyrn)HIGH POINT — The Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God joyously turned up fertile red soil at the official groundbreaking ceremony for a new rehabilitation center Sept. 24 at Pennybyrn. The public event was kept at a modest attendance level due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The state-of-the-art rehabilitation center will be named the Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center, in memory of Earl Congdon’s late mother. Earl and Kitty Congdon, longtime supporters of Pennybyrn, provided a $3.5 million matching challenge gift to help meet the initial $7 million campaign goal.

The Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center will have 24 resident rooms featuring the comfortable, home-like model for which Pennybyrn is well known. It will offer innovative accommodations for inpatient rehabilitative care, a service Pennybyrn has provided for the past several years.

Sister Lucy Hennessy, SMG, mission leader, greeted guests at the Sept. 24 celebration and paid tribute to the “pioneer sisters” who came to High Point from London over 70 years ago, purchasing the Penny House and converting it into a convent and a convalescent center with 22 beds.

“If we didn’t have COVID-19 to deal with, we would have many more people here,” Sister Lucy said in her welcoming remarks. “We chose this day for very significant reasons as our groundbreaking day. It has now been 150-plus years since the founding by Mother Magdalene Taylor, our foundress, and also the founding sisters with her, of our congregation, the Poor Servants of the Mother of God.”

Sister Lucy continued, “That year was 1869 – Sept. 24. These great women were filled with faith and a vision for the future. That vision which filled their lives to the fullest was to serve the needs of others, and in the process make life better for those they would serve.”

She explained that at their community’s founding, the sisters saw clearly the need to nurse the sick, educate the young, visit people at home and bring comfort to the dying. The religious community thrived throughout the late 19th century and 20th century – expanding all over England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Europe.

“Seven decades later, five SMG sisters from London arrived in the Triad and brought that vision of making life better for others with them. These faithful sisters did not see the future, they hardly thought about it. They were content to do what He wanted at the moment and leave all in His hands,” Sister Lucy noted.

“Today we have the great opportunity to, once again, make life better for others,” she said.

The rehabilitation center will take a multi-disciplinary approach to physical, occupational and speech therapy to help patients recover more quickly while also helping to prevent complications or relapses in healing.

The expansion will enable Pennybyrn to expand its therapy services to include outpatient therapy. The transitional rehabilitation program at Pennybyrn will be able to serve patients from throughout North Carolina, as well as other states.

Residents will receive expert care from a team of physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists. They will also enjoy access to Maryfield’s

Perpetual Adoration Chapel next door as well as other spiritual services.

“It is a place to come and heal,” said Vonda Hollingsworth, Pennybyrn’s vice president.

“Working strategically with our partners like High Point Medical Center, Cone Health, Novant and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, we can ensure the full continuum of excellence of care from the event or circumstance that initiated the need for acute care, completing the path that circles back to the return to home. Not only can we provide a high quality of care, we can work together to shorten hospital stays and reduce readmissions – all while working as a team that supports the patient and their own personal goals.”

Pennybyrn’s expansion will also include 42 new independent living apartments. The spacious apartment homes will feature 11 different floor plans, ranging from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom with den. All apartments will feature bright, open designs with abundant windows for natural light and a private patio or balcony.

Thomas Construction Group will serve as general contractor on the project.

— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter. Annette K. Tenny, correspondent, contributed.

Pictured: Four Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God helped “turn the dirt” at a groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 24 for a new state-of-the-art Lillian Congdon Transitional Rehab Center at Pennybyrn in High Point. (SueAnn Howell | Catholic News Herald)

Did you know?

In the decades since its start in 1947, Pennybyrn has grown into a 71-acre continuing care retirement community with a range of care services. The facilities, which were entirely rebuilt in 2007, include a neighborhood of 49 independent living cottages, 131 independent living apartments, 24 assisted living and 24 memory support apartments, and a nursing care building.
The Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God continue in the tradition of their foundress, Frances Taylor, who took the name of Mother Magdalen, caring for their residents with the help and guidance of a board of directors and ambassador council comprised of community members.

Published: 23 September 2020

Last Updated: 23 September 2020

Published: 23 September 2020

Last Updated: 23 September 2020

BELMONT — Belmont Abbey College’s accreditation has been reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

The college was notified Sept. 3 of SACSCOC’s approval of its ongoing commitment to the Principles of Accreditation, a foundation for quality enhancement. The reaffirmation through 2030 came with no recommendations – reflecting full compliance with all the standards and policies SACSCOC has set for institutional effectiveness.

“The 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation, with no findings, by SACSCOC, is a tribute to the excellence and virtue of our faculty, staff, administration and monastic community who have dedicated their lives to living out the mission of the college so that in all things God may be glorified,” said Belmont Abbey College’s president, Dr. Bill Thierfelder, in a statement. “Despite the challenges of a worldwide pandemic, their good work has led to all-time record new student enrollment, record student retention, improved rankings, a partnership with CaroMont Health, the near completion of a new five-story living/learning community residence hall, new state-of-the-art science labs, improved athletic facilities, and so much more.”

The Benedictine monks who oversee Belmont Abbey College recently signed a lease agreement with CaroMont Health to build a hospital adjacent to the college campus and expand the college’s healthcare education offerings. Also, construction on another campus residence hall is expected to be finished in October.

The college’s new provost, Dr. Travis Feezell, who oversees accreditation requirements, said in a statement, “The reaffirmation from SACSCOC is I believe a reaffirmation of our next 10 years and the bold path we have plotted. We are in the process of adding new programs and learning experiences, particularly around healthcare and regional workforce needs. None of that envisioned future happens without the teaching excellence of our faculty.”

As part of its reaccreditation, SACSCOC approved “Money the Abbey Way,” a financial literacy initiative Belmont Abbey College developed for students to gain the knowledge, skills and attitudes to wisely earn, spend, save, plan, borrow and contribute as they strive to live the college’s values of stewardship and community.

— Catholic News Herald