The Little Sisters of the Poor – Sacred Heart Home in Oregon was recognized by the State of Ohio June 21, in honor of the 125th anniversary of the Little Sisters serving the elderly poor at the Sacred Heart Home.

Sr. Ceclia Mary and Sr. Margaret traveled to the State House in Columbus, where Ohio State University President G. Gordon Gee made an introduction for the Sisters on the floor of the Senate.

Gee has become a supporter of the Little Sisters after a comment he made on teams vying for the BCS title game. “I do know, having been both a Southeastern Conference president and a Big Ten president, that it’s like murderer's row every week for these schools. We do not play the Little Sisters of the Poor. We play very fine schools on any given day.

Rep. Matthew A. Szollosi (right) poses with Mother Cecilia (center) of the Little Sisters of the Poor and OSU President E. Gordon Gee (left) after recognizing the Toledo Order’s 125 years of valuable service in caring for the elderly poor.

In his introduction, Gee said, “Mr. Speaker, I had no idea they didn’t have a football team, but, since my comment I’ve learned much about the Little Sisters and the important work that they do and I’m delighted to help.” He took to the dais with Mother Cecilia to commend the Little Sisters for their strength and commitment, adding, “We will celebrate 125 years, because that’s something quite remarkable.”

Since President Gee’s comment last fall, his relationship with the Little Sisters has blossomed, with frequent dialogue between the two on how OSU can assist the Little Sisters in their efforts with the elderly. The Little Sisters will be honored on Sept. 10 of this year during a matchup in Columbus between Ohio State and the University of Toledo football teams, where Gee plans to seek donations to assist their efforts.

The public recognition for the Little Sisters was made possible through the efforts of State Rep. Matthew A. Szollosi (D-Toledo), who recognized the Toledo Little Sisters of the Poor’s anniversary on the Ohio House floor. “I cannot overstate the respect I have for the work the Little Sisters does in caring for the elderly, so that their residents can live with dignity and respect and independence,” he said.

Sr. Cecilia Mary Sartorius, Mother Superior at the Sacred Heart Home in Oregon, accepted the accolades. “Thank you on behalf of Little Sisters of the Poor throughout Toledo, the U.S. and the world, she said. “We work hard to take care of the elderly poor because they are people who have worked hard to build Ohio. But we don’t do it alone and rely on your assistance. I’m glad we have some great new friends to help us with that.”

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