Archbishop Ronald Hicks made his first pastoral visit to Elizabeth Seton Children’s in Yonkers, touring the facility, meeting with residents, their families, and caregivers, and offering his blessing to all he encountered.

Archbishop Hicks visited some of the facility’s 169 residents, their families, and caregivers, talking with them, blessing them, and taking photos with them.

The archbishop toured the facility’s numerous treatment rooms and its chapel, including hydrotherapy, music therapy, and the Soundwave, which uses low-frequency sound vibrations to stimulate residents.

A beautiful spring day allowed for the use of the center’s playground, with outdoor celebrations ahead of Cinco de Mayo adding to the festive atmosphere, and giving the archbishop the chance to ride on a merry-go-round with one resident.

‘This is a family’

Addressing staff, administrators, and residents following his tour, Archbishop Hicks said the visit left him feeling inspired, renewed, and happy.

“When I’ve walked in and seen a home that is intentional, this is not just an institution with cinder blocks that simply houses people,” he said. “This is a family right here, and this is what the family of God looks like. The family of God looks like when we see Christ in each other’s faces, when we love God, and when we love each other.”

He offered words of gratitude to everyone connected to the mission. “For those of you who live here, for those of you who work here, for those of you who are part of the family, for those of you who support this mission, I say, thank you for introducing this mission to me. I could not be more delighted, honored, and overjoyed to be here.”

The archbishop closed his remarks with a blessing before exchanging words with Pat Tursi, who has led Elizabeth Seton Children’s as CEO since 2001. Under her leadership, Elizabeth Seton Children’s has grown into a $150 million health care system serving more than 2,000 children with medical complexity annually.

‘We felt the Holy Spirit’

Tursi told the archbishop that his visit carried deep meaning for the staff and caregivers who sometimes feel isolated in their work.

“I think sometimes we feel like we’re just floating out there on our own,” she said. “Today makes us realize that we are always connected to God, but we’re also part of a big community. You coming here, I can’t even begin to describe how excited and happy we are. We felt the Holy Spirit come right through our door.”

Archbishop Hicks responded by affirming the mission of everyone present. “We can start feeling like what we’re doing doesn’t matter, or it feels like just another day, a routine,” he said. “But what’s happening here is not only something special, this is living the mission of the Church. This is what faith in action looks like.”

He promised to pray for the staff and their intentions before the Eucharist that evening. “Whatever intentions you’re holding in your hearts right now, I’m going to bring those intentions to our Lord,” he said. “God bless you.”

A personal connection

The visit also carried a personal dimension for Archbishop Hicks, who noted that one of his early priestly assignments had been at a St. Elizabeth Seton parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago. He also recalled that Elizabeth Seton’s family nickname was “Betsy,” and praised the facility’s caterpillar logo, whose transformation into a butterfly he called a fitting symbol for the institution’s mission.

In an interview before the archbishop’s arrival, Tursi described what the visit meant to the community he was about to enter.

“This visit is just absolutely amazing,” she said. “We’re thrilled and can’t wait for him to arrive so that we can show him our children and introduce him to our family members, our staff, and the wonderful, loving care that we provide every day.”

Tursi also spoke about the facility’s most significant recent development: a demonstration program awarded by the New York State Department of Health to build the first young adult center of its kind in the state and country, serving children who age out of care at 21.

READ MORE: Elizabeth Seton Children’s Blesses Grounds of Future Young Adult Center

“Before we embarked on this initiative, our children were discharged and often died in little less than a year,” she said. “It is so important that we have the archbishop on one of his first tours to Elizabeth Seton Children’s, so that he can see how important this is, and the fundraising we need to continue, to make sure that children with medically complex conditions and their families know that their life is secured with dignity, and that they’ll receive the care they need and deserve.”

Stephanie, Elizabeth Seton Children’s international ambassador, also shared her reaction to the day. “It was amazing,” she said. “Absolutely a beautiful day.”

Tursi said the visit had moved her deeply. “It was really overwhelming,” she said. “It was so powerful, so filled with love and grace and blessings. I feel closer to God than I ever thought possible today. Given all of the work that needs to be done, we’re going to get it done.”

Elizabeth Seton Children’s is a provider of care, education, and hope for children with some of the most challenging medical conditions any person can face, featuring the largest residential medical center of its kind in the United States.

Elizabeth Seton Children’s encompasses Elizabeth Seton Children’s Center, Elizabeth Seton Children’s School, and Elizabeth Seton Children’s Rehabilitation Center. Philanthropic support for the entire network is driven by Elizabeth Seton Children’s Foundation.