Diocese embraces retirement community
On day seven of his year-and-a-half long orientation as chaplain, Father Steve Hoyt anointed several Pennybyrn residents, praying and making the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads and hands with the Oil of the Sick. (Photos by Troy Hull | Catholic News Herald)HIGH POINT — Anyone would be a bit wide-eyed on day seven of a 547-day transition toward taking over spiritual leadership of a 71-acre retirement community and prayer center. Even the veteran Father Stephen Hoyt.
A priest for 31 years, Father Hoyt has held assignments in Africa, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina, but for him, there’s no place like Pennybyrn – a retirement community in High Point founded in 1947 by the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God.
Humble of heart, Father Hoyt – or “Father Steve” as they’ve taken to calling him – is quiet as he absorbs everything the current sisters seek to teach him about the residents, staff, mission and culture of Pennybyrn.
His demeanor, however, is not to be mistaken for trepidation. When he came to anoint several senior residents on July 26, he took command of the room in the welcoming way a captain takes charge of his ship.
As his purple stole went on, the presence of Jesus was palpable. Father Steve warmly welcomed the six residents, who sat in a circle on chairs and wheelchairs reverently – and gratefully – watching the priest, waiting for their turn as he said special prayers and called down the Holy Spirit in the laying on of hands for each person.
As he moved from one person to the next, Sisters Gabriella Hogan and Loretta O’Connor assisted, speaking out the name of each resident. They did the same once more as Father Steve, a conduit of God’s grace, went around the room a second time anointing the residents, making the Sign of the Cross on their foreheads and hands with the Oil of the Sick.
When Father Steve learned that the next day was resident Don Mulligan’s 100th birthday, he congratulated him and referenced the anointing, saying, “This is the best birthday present I can give you.”
Later, Father Steve said the goal of his new ministry at Pennybyrn, and overall, is to help those in his care to be “constantly aware of the Lord’s presence in all aspects of life.”
In conversation at Pennybyrn’s iconic, on-site Irish pub, Father Steve and Sister Lucy Hennessy, S.M.G., Pennybyrn’s mission leader and chair of the board of directors, talked about Father Steve’s year-and-a-half long orientation, which he is just beginning.
“Father Steve has met the sisters, learned more about the mission and how steeped we are in the mission, and has been introduced to various households where our people who need the most care are,” Sister Lucy says. “This part now is all orientation. Every day.”
Father Steve says, “I’m looking forward to discovering more of the charism of the sisters here that has made Pennybyrn all that it is today. As I learn more and more about the mission, I’ll know how to build upon it.”
Father Steve’s assignment from Bishop Peter Jugis marks the next step toward transferring spiritual sponsorship of the community of more than 450 residents from the Sisters of the Poor Servants of the Mother of God to the Diocese of Charlotte. Pennybyrn and the bishop announced the change a year ago, assuring all concerned that a careful effort to preserve the culture and values of Pennybyrn would follow.
It is time now for the sisters to return to London, called home for their own retirement by the mother house after decades of service in the High Point area. The sisters are doing everything they can to ensure their beloved retirement community retains its faith-based mission and culture when they depart in 2025.
Grappling with the immensity of the task at hand, Father Steve said this assignment is quite different than becoming pastor of a parish, and he prays he’s up to the task.
“Something like Pennybyrn doesn’t just happen – to have such a beautiful community as what we have here. I’m very interested in discovering the charism that’s making this possible,” he says. “I feel like I have big shoes to fill as I try to continue that Christian life to the full.”
Bishop Jugis pledged to the sisters last summer he would honor their legacy and keep alive their ministry as the diocese gradually assumes its role in guiding Pennybyrn. He appointed Father Steve to take the lead, in part because he has been faithfully serving as a member of the board and has a heart for Pennybyrn’s mission.
“Father Stephen Hoyt seems an excellent fit to provide for the comfort, spiritual and sacramental needs of the wonderful seniors at Pennybyrn,” Bishop Jugis says. “We are committed as a diocese to carry on the special environment of caring established by the Sisters, and Father Hoyt has the full faith of the diocese behind him.”
Pennybyrn features a 24-hour Eucharistic Adoration Chapel, 173 independent living apartments, 49 independent living cottages, 24 assisted living apartments, 24 assisted living memory support beds, 125 skilled nursing care beds and a new transitional rehabilitation center.
Besides its 450 residents, Pennybyrn also includes more than 450 full- and part-time employees who staff the facility around the clock – all of whom Father Steve has been gradually meeting over his first weeks at Pennybyrn.
As he offers the sacraments and meets everyone, he learns by osmosis Pennybyrn’s charism and mission: “Demonstrating God’s love for the lives we touch.”
“There’s a lot to it, but it’s very doable,” says Sister Lucy. “Father Steve has a natural warmth and eagerness to learn. His personality fits what we’re trying to do here.”
Father Steve, who most recently served as pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Lenoir, says he couldn’t imagine having more support and encouragement from everyone at Pennybyrn and is grateful for that during this change in his ministry.
Sister Lucy adds that Father Steve’s presence has been reassuring to residents and staff. “The more he talks to people and interacts with them, I think that fear will fade away, and the transition will be seamless in the end,” she says.
Peace also comes from the lengthy orientation period, Father Steve’s obvious spiritual gifts, and knowing God will take care of the rest.
“It’s where the Lord is calling me to grow at this time in my life to serve Him and the Church in this particular way in a specialized ministry,” Father Steve says. “I’m looking forward to learning more about it and using my gifts to minister effectively.”
— Annie Ferguson. Photos by Troy Hull
