Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm attend a Foundation Day Mass at the Kahl Home in Davenport Sept. 3. The sisters are, from left: Sisters James, Constance, Kathleen, Michele and Lois.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — Msgr. Drake Shafer presided at the Sept. 3 Mass marking the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm. The order, founded in New York, supports the Kahl Home in Davenport.
Founder Mother Mary Angeline Teresa McCory followed her desire to care for people in New York who were elderly, said Msgr. Shafer, a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport. He shared that during World War II, Father Edward Ruhl of the Davenport Diocese was serving as a Navy chaplain stationed in New York and become acquainted with Mother McCory.
Around 1950, Bishop Ralph Hayes, who led the Davenport Diocese then, wanted to start a home for people who were elderly. Father Ruhl, at that time the spiritual director for the diocesan seminary, suggested that the bishop contact Mother McCory. In February 1955, the Kahl Home opened in Davenport with Mother McCory in attendance. Father Ruhl, who died in 1989, served as a chaplain at the Kahl for several years, Msgr. Shafer said.
Sister M. Lois Joseph Baniewicz, OCarm, who has served at the Kahl Home during five different assignments since 1961, knew Mother McCory and described her as “a very warm person” and “very personable.” She asked each sister entering the religious community about the name they had chosen for their religious life and the reason for that choice. Mother McCory, who emigrated from Ireland to the U.S., founded the religious community during the Depression. “That took a lot of faith to start something new at that time,” Sister Lois said.
Today, five Carmelite sisters minister at the Kahl Home: Sisters Lois, Kathleen, James, Constance and Michele, who serve in a variety of areas, such as social services, pastoral care and activities.
“Our order has always liked Davenport. The sisters really appreciate the support of the people here (in the Quad Cities) and Catholic Service Board,” Sister Lois said.
Daily Mass is an important part of the Carmelite mission, Msgr. Shafer said. He presides at Mass on Sundays, Mondays and Fridays. Retired diocesan priests preside on other days: Father George McDaniel on Tuesdays, Father David Steinle on Wednesdays and Father James Vrba on Thursdays. On Saturdays, the home offers a Communion service.
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