Ownership of most of IHM campus transferred to Minnesota firm

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Leadership Council announced this morning the transfer of ownership of its Elm Avenue IHM campus, buildings, grounds and the Senior Living Community (health care unit) to Saint Therese, a senior living organization in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, area.

The IHM Sisters will retain ownership of the St. Mary Academy building.

Saint Therese, a nonprofit Catholic senior living organization, will take over ownership and management of the continuing care retirement community and campus on July 1.

“Under the terms of the agreement, Saint Therese will assume the legal nonprofit status of IHM Senior Living Community, its operations and all related assets via a transfer of sponsorship agreement,” the IHM communications department said in a written release.

Saint Therese intends to hire all IHM SLC employees. The name of the IHM SLC and the campus will not change. Sister Mary Jane Herb, IHM president, will hold a seat on the Saint Therese board of directors. The congregational offices will remain located on campus.

IHM Sisters also will continue to live in their home, the five-star IHM Senior Living Community, and continue to receive care on campus.

“Saint Therese will own and operate the IHM Senior Living Community. They will own all the buildings and the campus, except for St. Mary Academy,” Calley Duffey, IHM director of communications, said. “The Sisters, everyone gets to stay. Saint Therese will have a presence on campus. They will walk us through everything. (The IHM Leadership Council) chose a like-minded partner in mission and faith-based values and bequeathed them an environmentally responsible facility. I am so happy they will continue their far-reaching work, but retain their historic presence in Monroe.”

Duffey said the Saint Therese team was on campus Monday and Tuesday. The team and Saint Therese president and CEO Craig Abbott shared meals and conversations with the Sisters, residents and employees.

“Our Leadership Council made a wise decision about the future ownership of our IHM buildings and grounds by deciding to transfer ownership to Saint Therese,” Peggy Schmidt, IHM, said. “I was privileged to sit with Saint Therese president and CEO Craig Abbott at lunch. His ease of presence created a warm atmosphere in which we shared conversations about our various ministries. He expressed his awareness of the spirit within the IHM Senior Living Community and his desire to maintain and enhance it. Craig also spoke about his conviction that he and the Saint Therese staff come as learners in the upcoming transition.”

On Tuesday, Abbott spoke to SLC staff members about their jobs.

“It is our intent to have you join the Saint Therese family of employees. We need you, the residents need you, the Sisters need you, and we look forward to warmly welcoming you to our organization,” Abbott said.

The IHM SLC is open to the Sisters and members of the public and offers 220 total units in skilled care, including independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care and transitional care. Nineteen of the units are independent living options in continuum care apartments.

“Saint Therese possesses the expertise and financial resources necessary to continue to grow and market our facility, so we can focus our resources on caring for our Sisters and carrying on the IHM mission. We are confident we chose a partner who will ensure our legacy continues in a sustainable manner into the future. They will build on the foundation laid by the IHM congregation,” Herb said.

Herb said the transfer of ownership of the campus was a necessity.

“We do not possess the expertise and financial resources necessary to continue to grow and market our facility,” she said. “We are also aware of our community demographics as we decrease in number with rising median age. We desire to use our resources to care for our Sisters and carry on the IHM mission.”

The congregation will work with Saint Therese on plans for the Academy building.

“We will work with Saint Therese to explore possibilities, seeking a developer to renovate the Academy. The efforts that have been ongoing for several years will continue in an exploration of various possibilities,” Herb said.

Rev. Allen H. Vigneron, archbishop of Detroit, lauded the IHM Leadership Council for its decision to transfer ownership of its property.

“Be assured you have my prayerful support for you and the community as this change unfolds. I applaud you for having found a way to make use of the resource that is the Motherhouse, which advances the mission of the Church, and in particular, builds on the rich heritage of the IHM Sisters,” Vigneron said.

The Monroe IHM congregation was founded on Nov. 10, 1845, in a log cabin on the River Raisin and has had a long history of ministry and education in Monroe. The congregation plans to continue that presence and growth in Monroe.

History of site: Monroe County History: St. Mary Farms was economic heart of IHM Sisters

History of IHM: IHM Sisters celebrate 175 years

“The IHM congregation presence in Monroe will continue, as do our ongoing ministries throughout the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico,” Herb said. “Under the new ownership, the IHM SLC will continue to grow, maintain the excellent level of care that has marked our rich history. We appreciate the many ways the Monroe community, alums and our benefactors have supported us throughout the years. We will continue to rely on your support into the future and ask you to hold us in prayer as we enter this new phase of our journey.”

The IHM, in the news release, said it has “grown and adapted to the needs of the times” for nearly two centuries, and this is another example.

“Over its 177-year history, IHM Sisters have adapted the use of their Motherhouse and realigned resources to meet evolving demands. The infirmary for their aging Sisters has grown into a health care center, now licensed and incorporated as IHM SLC. The congregation is at another juncture on its journey,” the release said.

Saint Therese, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) senior care organization, was founded in 1964 and has a long tradition of providing care for seniors in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul. It also has locations in New Hope, Brooklyn Park and Woodbury, Minnesota. A new location in Corcoran, Minnesota, is planned to open in 2024.

"Most of their communities provide the full continuum of care, from independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and transitional care. Saint Therese also owns Ascend Rehabilitation, which offers a wide range of both traditional and specialty therapy and wellness programs through a comprehensive continuum of care," the IHM communications department said.

Saint Therese's mission is to “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love.” Abbott said the organization wants to “broaden its footprint and ministry in other markets with mission-aligned organizations.” Saint Therese saw potential in the IHM facility.

“We are honored to carry on IHM’s rich history and legacy,” Abbott said. “They are wonderful people with an impeccable reputation who have made a significant impact worldwide over the past 177 years. After a robust process that involved IHM’s review and exploration of several organizations, we are grateful and incredibly humbled that they chose Saint Therese to become their partner.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Ownership of most of IHM campus transferred to Minnesota firm