Out of Care and Compassion: Behind every Mask

it was out of pure care and compassion that Beatitudes Campus was created. Our founder, Rev. Dr. Culver H. Nelson, was visiting a parishioner in a “nursing home” and his eyes could not believe what he was witnessing.  He knew that there had to be a better way of living.  Upon telling his wife about the deplorable conditions one of their own church members was facing, she responded with, “Why don't you do something about it?” And the rest is our history.

Over fifty years later there has never been a more important call to care and compassion than what we now face.  Care and compassion are literally in our stated mission and the foundation of who we are as a community.  The Covid pandemic has placed us all face to face with care and compassion.  How do we keep each other safe?  How do we keep each other alive?

 By any definition, we are a vulnerable community and one that calls us to live safely, with dignity and an opportunity to be loved and cherished. The pandemic has proven how interdependent we are for our community's survival.  We thought, for a brief time, that the pandemic was in our past. However, the infection rate is increasing, and our own residents and staff are again infected.  As I write today, we are in masks once again.

For us, there is no greater sign of care and compassion than wearing a mask in a time of renewed outbreak.  It is not a political issue at Beatitudes Campus.  We know that even though we are vaccinated and feel safe from the effects of Covid, that our neighbors who are immunosuppressed, struggling with heart issues, suffering from breathing problems and battling other health challenges, are not.  For them, regardless of vaccination status, contracting Covid could mean serious illness and death. 

I cannot imagine anyone in our community not willing to save the life of another resident.  That is what makes Beatitudes Campus the embodiment of care and compassion.  We wear our masks because we love our friends and neighbors.

Beatitudes Campus was created out of care and compassion and today our actions are proof of this fact.  You are giving a beautiful gift in recognizing the health vulnerabilities, visible or not, that put your neighbors at risk. You are saving lives and preventing suffering through the simple act of wearing a mask today.  thank you for this. 

Author Info: Rev. David Ragan, Sr. VP Resident Services

Rev. David W. Ragan is the Senior Vice President of Resident Services at Beatitudes Campus.