(05/20/2022) – Today the Little Sisters of the Poor announced with sadness that they will be withdrawing from Saint Paul’s Archbishop Leibold Home in Cincinnati, Ohio. They also announced that Lackawanna Healthcare Associates plan to enter into an agreement to purchase the Home and maintain it as a senior living residence.

This morning the Sisters met with the Residents, their families, lay associates, staff and volunteers to share their decisions. In addition, they introduced the leadership of Lackawanna Healthcare to the Saint Paul’s community.

The Little Sisters have served in the archdiocese of Cincinnati, their second foundation in the United States, since 1868. By the middle of the 20th century the Little Sisters of the Poor were serving a total of 435 Residents in two Homes in the city. They have served the elderly at the Riddle Road site since 1886. The current Home, opened in 1975, replaced the Home on Florence Avenue and the original building on Riddle Road.

In making the announcement, Mother Loraine Marie Clare, provincial superior of the Little Sisters of the Poor, explained: “As part of a strategic plan aimed at strengthening our ministry and the quality of our religious and community life, we Little Sisters have recognized the need to withdraw from a certain number of Homes in the United States, while at the same time dedicating our resources to much needed upgrades and reconstruction projects in several others.”

Lackawanna Healthcare Associates is currently the operator of the former Little Sisters of the Poor Home in Scranton, Pennsylvania. David Klingerman, Jr., who leads Lackawanna, commented: “Our experience of succeeding the exceptional ministry of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Scranton has convinced us that the opportunity to do the same here in Cincinnati will be beneficial to the Residents, their families and the current staff. We look forward to working with the Little Sisters of the Poor and the St. Paul’s community during this time of transition.”
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, offered the following statement: “For more than 150 years, the Little Sisters have been vigilantly caring for elderly seniors, here in Cincinnati. Their faith-filled work has brought dignity and respect to the poor, sick, elderly and dying and their ministry has been a visible witness to our Lord’s call to love our neighbor. The Little Sisters have been a tremendous blessing for countless families and individuals and with great affection we pray for them during this time of transition.”

In letters to the Residents and their family members, Mother Marie Edward, superior of St. Paul’s Home, promised that “during the transition we will continue to support and care for the Residents as we have for over 150 years in Cincinnati. Also, we will work closely with the Lackawanna Healthcare team to ensure that there will be a smooth transition.” Mother Loraine Marie Clare concluded the announcement by thanking all those who have supported the mission of St. Paul’s Home and the Little Sisters of the Poor for so many years.
She thanked the Archdiocese of Cincinnati for its leadership in promoting and supporting the mission of the Congregation for the past 154 years. She assured everyone of the Sisters’ prayers and support throughout the transition process.

For further information, please contact Mark Cregan, Esq. at 917.767.2772.