By Rita McInerney

The third personal care home to be opened by the archdiocese of Atlanta is rapidly nearing completion in Riverdale and the first residents are expected to be welcomed in early April.

The one-floor building is of the same design as St. Thomas Manor, 3409 Washington Road in East Point. This was blessed by Archbishop Eugene A. Marino, S.S.J., on Oct. 2, 1988.

The two new personal care homes each accommodate 15 residents who occupy private bedrooms. There is a shared bathroom for every two bedrooms.

St. Teresa Manor is being constructed at a cost of $750,000 by John Burton and Co., an Atlanta firm which also built St. Thomas Manor. Exterior is of stucco in a pale coral. A covered porch extends from the entrance to the end of the building. On the other side of the entrance is the chapel wing. When completed, its front wall will be dominated by a large stained glass window depicting St. Teresa of Avila and Jesus Christ.

The building of St. Teresa Manor fulfills the archdiocesan commitment to provide three personal care homes for elderly men and women able to move about on their own but needing support services. Funds were raised in the capital funds drive conducted throughout the archdiocese in 1983.

The first personal care home, Marian Manor, was opened in 1984 and is the former convent of Immaculate Heart of Mary parish remodeled to provide comfortable living quarters for 15 elderly men and women.

The environment of the new manors is cheerful, with good light from numerous large windows. Soft colors predominate in the comfortable, traditional furnishings. Walls are of a creamy mauve and the woodwork is teal. A spacious dining room with tables seating four, and modern kitchen open off the living room.

Along with the large living room, there is a smaller parlor, an activities room, beauty parlor, telephone room, offices and a restroom for visitors.

Individual bedrooms have wall-to-wall carpeting, a roomy closet, chest and comfortable bed and chair. Two of the bedrooms are designed for residents who might be confined to a wheelchair yet can manage without assistance. The connecting bathroom accommodates a wheelchair.

The chapels in each of the personal care residences are significant to Catholic residents. Here they have the availability and consolation of Sunday Mass and weekday Communion services as well as a quiet place for private prayer.

The stained glass window to be placed behind the chapel altar is being created at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. It depicts St. Teresa of Avila and Jesus against a blue background. Father Methodius designed both this window and that depicting St. Thomas the Apostle and Jesus installed in the St. Thomas Manor chapel.

The manor is named in honor of the Carmelite mystic, St. Teresa of Avila, a Spanish cloistered nun who reformed the order and founded many convents with the support of her friend and spiritual director, St. John of the Cross. In all she established 32 religious houses in 20 years during the 16th century.

One of two women doctors of the Church, the other being St. Catherine of Siena, she is considered one who combined contemplative prayer with extraordinary physical energy and activity. St. Teresa of Avila died in 1582.

Carolynn Pierce, director of Catholic Personal Care Homes, Inc., said the completion of the third personal care home could be considered a way of saying “Thank you” to Sister Teresa Termini, C.S.J., director of programs for the elderly at Catholic Social Services. The home is named after her patron saint.

“Sister has worked for many years for and with the elderly,” Mrs. Pierce said. “Having them open and operating is a special gift for her.”

The monthly charge of $900 includes private room, three meals a day, all laundry and housekeeping, and 24-hour general supervision. Planned activities range from Bible study to outings, birthday and seasonal celebrations.

Many of the guests, Mrs. Pierce said, have tried to live alone, find they cannot do so and meet, at the personal care homes, others who have been in the same situation. Most have families in the area. At the manors they encounter supportive staff people and volunteers. Often, Mrs. Pierce said, the residents can help volunteers “in a give and take situation.”

St. Teresa Manor is located at 277 Medical Way and is surrounded by a number of medical offices. Clayton General Hospital is a short distance away.

Applications for both St. Thomas Manor in East Point and St. Teresa Manor are being taken. For information call 669-0119, 669-0143, or 881-6571.