History
Our Lady of Good Counsel Home was a gift to the community from the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne nearly 70 years ago. It opened on December 7, 1941 – Pearl Harbor Day – in the former Tri-State telephone building at 2076 St. Anthony Avenue in St. Paul. The home was opened to care for those terminal cancer patients who were unable to afford care in other nursing facilities or to continue care at home. The current facility was built at the same location in 1981.
The home was run by the Dominican Sisters until February 1, 2009, when they turned over operation of the facility to the Franciscan Health Community. Their primary desire, according to Mother Mary Francis, former President of Our Lady of Good Counsel Home, was to preserve the care and services that touch and enhance many lives, which they found in FHC.
Under the direction of Kathryn Wornson, Our Lady of Good Counsel Home continues to provide end of life care for individuals with limited financial resources because there are few options for those who can’t pay. The home receives no payment for the services provided and relies solely upon the generosity of donors to continue its vital mission. The community has shown amazing generosity and commitment over the years to enable this wonderful mission to continue.