BANGOR – St. Joseph Hospital, founded in 1947, began celebrating its 60th anniversary on Sunday with a Mass at St. Mary’s Church on Ohio Street.

The Most Rev. Richard Malone, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, celebrated the Mass. The Felician Sisters, who are in healthcare ministry serving the Bangor community, attended along with Felician Provincial leadership from Enfield, Conn. The public was invited.

St. Joseph Hospital is under the sponsorship of the Felician Sisters of the Enfield Province, and is an extended ministry of Christ’s healing and mercy. Blessed Mary Angela founded the Franciscan Felician Congregation in Poland in 1855.

The order thrives today, continuing Blessed Angela’s tradition of active community service around the world.

On June 1, 1947, the first contingent of Felician Sisters from the Enfield Province arrived in Bangor and crossed the threshold of the then-Paine Private Hospital.

The Felician Sisters had arrived at the request of Carol Strauss, a nurse who owned and operated the Paine Private Hospital on Center Street. She wanted to sell the hospital to a religious order and found the Felician Sisters willing to take on the small hospital.

Upon the Sisters’ arrival, the name of the hospital was quickly changed to honor Jesus’ earthly father, St. Joseph.

From a beginning census of 11 patients on June 1, 1947, to a 112-bed acute care community hospital, St. Joseph Hospital has flourished under Felician sponsorship.

St. Joseph Hospital, under the umbrella of St. Joseph Healthcare, has an operating budget of $80 million and employs more than 800 people in more than 30 departments.

The St. Joseph Healthcare ministry is rooted in the tradition of foundress Blessed Mary Angela’s vision of spirituality – renewing society through compassionate caring of the whole person in all circumstances.

After the Mass, a reception was held in the adjoining Parish Hall at St. Mary’s Church. Those offering remarks included Sister Mary Norberta, president and CEO of St. Joseph Healthcare.

A number of community events are scheduled throughout the year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of St. Joseph Hospital.

These include an organization open house 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 1. The community will have the rare opportunity to tour nearly every department and building in the healthcare organization.