After a 46 year career in healthcare, both as a practitioner and administrator, my time has come to officially retire and begin the next chapter of my life.
To quote Mr. Rogers: “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”
I can firmly say that is so true and I look forward new beginnings. But as I look back fondly on these years of work, I come to realize that they have defined me in so many ways and will always be a part of who I am in this world. My work has contributed to define me as a Husband, a Father, and a Grandfather. It has truly formed me in my vocation as a Deacon and served to help me better understand and define my role in helping others.
As I anticipate my final days here at the Diocese, I know I will miss the fine people who have supported me in my efforts here. I leave with a great sense of joyful anticipation of what retirement will bring and yet, at the same time, I feel a great sense of gratitude and accomplishment, along with an internal spirit of sadness. I guess all endings are “bitter sweet” to some degree.
I am so grateful to Bishop Sullivan and Father Hughes for having given me the profound opportunity to create and develop the many wonderful services that comprises VITALity. It has been an absolute labor of love to serve the seniors and those with disabilities throughout the entire South Jersey area.
I will truly miss the collegial and joy-filled attitude among our staff. Such attitude has been the life blood of VITALity. This is truly work of the heart. Unlike any other position I have held in my long healthcare career, the work here at VITALity has proven to be where compassion is the true sole guiding principle. We have certainly accomplished so much to bring healing, relief, and fulfillment into the lives we have touched through our ministries. We have done a lot here and I am proud of the accomplishments of the extraordinary people who have contributed to the success of VITALity and made my time here with them an absolute blessing.
I am so proud of the many priests, deacons, religious sisters, and dedicated lay people within our hospital chaplaincy. They have been the face of Christ to those near death and the comforting hands of Christ as they recover from illness and injury.
I say a big “thank you” to the wonderful, compassionate nurses and social workers who have staffed our Care Coordination ministry. They have always proven to be the loving advocates and guides for our most vulnerable seniors who seek comfort and healing as they face the challenges of aging.
And to our priests and religious and lay women who have over the years served to develop an environment of welcome and inclusion within parish life for our deaf and disabled brothers and sisters, you have been the warm smile and open arms of Jesus that brings all into His loving embrace. I am so grateful for your enduring efforts each day.
And to our parish-based ministry liaison leaders who each day provide support and guidance to our Parish Nurses, Stephen Ministers, and Parish Senior Social Day Centers, I can only express my sincerest gratitude for all the energy of ministerial leadership and discipleship that you exhibit as our sponsored parish programs continue to grow in number throughout the Diocese.
And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the dedicated office and support staff here at VITALity. You keep the fire burning that allows all of us to do the work of Christ among the people we serve. For your dedication to excellence and for our unwavering commitment to our mission, I express my deepest gratitude. You are so often the initial welcoming voices of compassion to every client in need and you have maintained an environment of order and consistency which has also proven to be a source of energy for all here to excel.
And to all the people of South Jersey who have been touched in some way by the services offered though VITALity, I express my deepest appreciation for allowing me the opportunity to have in some way contributed to your well-being. I hope that in my time here, you have consistently experienced the love of Christ through the compassionate staff of VITALity who have responded lovingly to your needs in a time of crisis or confusion. I am thankful that you have trusted VITALity with your care and concerns.
You are all heroes in my book and will be missed as I embark on the next chapter of my life. A chapter in which time will not be measured by the clock on the wall, but rather by how long I can enjoy a little league baseball game or soccer match. Or how long it will take to play a round of golf. A chapter in which success will not be measured by program statistics or adherence to budgets, but rather by the number of smiles on the faces of my grandkids when we are together. In this chapter, compensation is not a direct deposit of wages into a bank account, but rather it’s the deposit of hugs and kisses from family as we share time together serving one another. It’s the look of hope and joy on the faces of my parishioners as I now have an abundance of time to serve them in even more capacities as their deacon.
As I begin this next chapter, I take from all of you at VITALity the gift of a living example of what Jesus meant when He commanded us to love and serve one another. I can only hope that this gift will forever now define me.
May all who have served and have been served by VITALity over the years in my tenure here, be blessed with an abundance of grace. May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire you, guide you, energize you, and give you the courage to continue this beautiful ministry. May your hearts continue to lead you and be always open to the needs of those who call upon you for help.
And again, to Bishop Sullivan and Father Hughes, thank you for your support, your encouragement, and your enduring trust in me to lead this wonderful ministry. You have allowed me to experience one of the greatest joys in my life as I led this ministry dedicated to the health and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens. I pray that the Lord continues to bless the Diocese of Camden with good people who will have the compassion, dedication, and enthusiasm to further grow this most precious ministry.
Wishing you peace and all good things,
Deacon Jerry
Executive Director, VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services
