Bishop Luis Zarama joined residents of Saint Joseph of the Pines on Tuesday to kick off a week of 75th anniversary celebrations. Bishop Luis opened the celebration and addressed the group, noting how blessed we all are to be a part of an organization that remains committed to service after 75 years.
St. Joseph of the Pines had its beginnings prior to the Great Depression as a golf resort. It later transformed into a hospital and care facility when then-Bishop Vincent Waters, the third Bishop of Raleigh, purchased the inn. Bishop Waters’ vision was to serve the local community, which was in need of better health care, and to promote the Catholic faith in a region where Catholics were not well known.
Today, in addition to the residents onsite and the nearby Belle Meade retirement community, more than 200 apartments in surrounding Aberdeen, Red Springs, Carthage and Robbins for elders with low incomes are served by Trinity Health, which today owns and manages the entire senior care community.
Bishop Luis also reminded the residents to heed Pope Francis’ teachings on grandparents. “Don’t keep the treasure of your knowledge to yourself,” he urged them.
Following remarks and prayer from Bishop Luis, residents and guests enjoyed a buffet brunch along with sparkling drinks and cake. The bishop celebrated with attendees, sharing stories and later paying visits to diocesan priests in residence, as well as getting a tour of the “clock shop.”
For more information on the history of St. Joseph of the Pines and its link to the Diocese of Raleigh, read St. Joseph of the Pines Turns 70.
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