Bishop Tylka blesses new OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute — because “cancer stinks”
Bishop Louis Tylka blessed the new OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute on the campus of Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria on Feb. 13. In his final blessing, he prayed, “May the God of mercy strengthen you by his grace so that in serving the sick with tender charity, you may serve Christ himself.” The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore
By Paul Thomas Moore
On Feb. 13, in a ceremony where the OSF Choir (directed by John Evancho), sang hymns including “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” and “Dona Nobis Pacem” (Latin for “grant us peace”), Bishop Louis Tylka officially blessed the new OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria.
The week before he had conducted a thorough pre-blessing of the facility in order to cover all of its many “nooks and crannies” — even venturing up onto the roof.
The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis were well-represented when Bishop Tylka blessed the new OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute on Feb. 13 in Peoria. Front row, from left are: Sister Mary Jane Dawson, OSF; Sister Theresa Ann Brazeau, OSF; Sister M. Magdalene Stallings, OSF; Sister M. Angelita Van Hoey, OSF; Sister Mary Stephanie Grulkowski, OSF; Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF; and Sister M. Loretta Miller, OSF. Back row: Sister Rose Therese Mann, OSF; Sister M. Faustina Chesnut, OSF; Sister Teresa Paul Selamat, OSF; Sister Agnes Joseph Williams, OSF; Sister Diane Marie McGrew, OSF; Sister M. Mikela Meidl (FSGM); and Bishop Louis Tylka. The Catholic Post/Paul Thomas Moore
Joked OSF HealthCare CEO Bob Sehring at the Feb. 13th blessing ceremony, “I’m perhaps a bit more comfortable today than at the pre-blessing. There’s something about being up on the roof with the bishop, who’s trying to bless the 40-foot crosses that adorn either side of the building, that’ll just take your breath away.”
Bishop Tylka at a pre-blessing ceremony for the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute on Feb. 8. He was on the roof in order to bless the crosses on either side of the building. Provided photo/Jim Carlson, OSF HealthCare
Back at ground level on Feb. 13, Bishop Tylka recalled taking part in the 2021 groundbreaking for the facility. “We had a dream of what this day would be . . . and it’s beautiful.” Still, he acknowledged the human reality that as he was preparing to come and do the blessing on this day, “the first thing that struck my mind and my heart, is that cancer stinks.” He added, “I think many of us know that.”
Bishop Tylka related that he suffered the loss of his mother Norma, and his sister Mary Lou Bryant to pancreatic cancer 30 years apart. “We need to do everything we can, using God’s wisdom and help to engage in the battle to defeat cancer.”
“This wonderful facility is a significant investment in the health care of our community . . . . It will be a serene haven for hope, for compassionate care, and for healing” — Sister Judith Ann Duvall, chairperson of OSF HealthCare boards
The OSF Cancer Institute will bring all OSF Healthcare oncology and cancer treatment services together on the campus of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. An OSF HealthCare media release describes it as a “one-stop destination for a patient’s cancer journey.”
The 200,000-square-foot facility features new treatments such as proton beam therapy, which targets tumors more precisely than conventional X-ray therapies, thereby minimizing the impact on surrounding tissue and organs. As well, an HDR Brachytherapy suite will be onsite. Brachytherapy, or “implant” therapy delivers intense doses of radiation from inside the tumor, and is frequently used to treat cancers of the female pelvis, prostate, breast, eye and skin.
Not just a building
However, Dr. James McGee, founding director of the OSF Cancer Institute, said it’s not all about technology. “Don’t just look at this building and see technology . . . . it’s all about reaching into all the corners, patient support, physician support, care in terms of dietary care, exercise. All of those aspects . . . are equally important.”
In this regard, the Teaching Kitchen will offer classes to patients and families affected by cancer to help them learn how to prepare foods and deal with some of the specialized dietary requirements that accompany cancer treatment.
As well, the Healing Garden on the east side of the campus will features statues of the Welcoming Virgin Mary, St. Peregrine, the patron saint of cancer, and St. Francis of Assisi. Fresh food grown here will be used in the adjacent Teaching Kitchen.
Bishop Tylka is seen after blessing the “Survivor Bell” at the new OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute on Feb. 13. Josh and Danette Swank of Peoria — seen here with Sister Judith Ann Duvall, OSF — chairperson of the OSF HealthCare boards, were recognized for their generous support of the OSF Cancer Institute capital campaign. The Swanks are both cancer survivors who received treatment at OSF HealthCare. Beside Bishop Tylka is Sister M. Angelita Van Hoey, OSF. Provided photo/Matt Sheehan, OSF HealthCare
The OSF Healthcare Cancer Institute expects to welcome its first patients by the end of February, and forecasts treating upwards of 3,700 cancer patients annually.
As Bishop Tylka concluded in his final blessing, “May the God of mercy strengthen you by his grace so that in serving the sick with tender charity, you may serve Christ himself.”
