Statement on St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge  from Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq.

Statement on St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge from Anthony P. Kearns III, Esq., spokesperson and chancellor for the Diocese of Metuchen, and head of the coronavirus task force

The rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic has brought challenges for so many in our local communities and unfortunately, we recently learned that the residents of St. Joseph’s Senior Home in Woodbridge, and the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, who faithfully operate the assisted living and nursing center, were no exception. Their need was dire and their situation heartbreaking.

As was announced by state health Commissioner Judy Persichilli at a press conference held by Gov. Murphy this afternoon, the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have been working with the New Jersey State Department of Health since Friday evening to seek additional nurses and other personnel to aid in caring for its residents and today, asked for assistance for an orderly transition of their residents to other facilities, acting in the best interest of their residents. We are grateful to all those state and local officials who so quickly assisted the Sisters and their staff, who worked tirelessly around the clock to care for their residents, even as a vast majority of their staff members were home, suffering from their own influenza-like illnesses.

The Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception have operated the nonprofit Catholic healthcare community since 1981, caring for the sick and bringing comfort and compassion to their loved ones. The Sisters are beloved by those they serve, by those families who have entrusted them with the care of their loved ones in their final years, and they are a significant part of our diocesan family too. Their dedication and service to the sick truly exemplifies Jesus’ great love and deep compassion for the sick and dying.

Our prayers are with the residents and their families, especially those suffering from the coronavirus, and all who have died. We are also praying for the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and all the staff members of St. Joseph’s Senior Home, as they work to ensure a smooth transition under these difficult circumstances.