Bishop Earl Fernandes joined reprentatives of Catholic Social Services, the Diocese of Columbus and Borror property management for a tour of renovations taking place at the Seton Square North housing facility followed by a blessing on Thursday, July 21 in northwest Columbus.
Bishop Fernandes then traveled to Columbus’ west side as part of a get-acquainted tour with Catholic Social Services to Our Lady of Guadalupe Center, a community center that assists central Ohio’s growing Hispanic community.
Seton Square North, which was built in 1976 and located at 1776 Drew Ave., just north of Bethel Road, is one of 13 similar properties owned by the diocese that provide housing for residents age 62 and older or individuals with a qualifying disability.
The $10 million renovation of the 250-unit, two-story neighborhood complex, which includes one- and two-bedroom apartments, began in May 2021 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022. Current residents are relocated to other facilities on a temporary basis until their apartment renovations are completed.
“Many have generously contributed to this renovation, not hoarding their resources for themselves but being kind and generous to those in need, recognizing that God gave us all these things for our common use in our common home,” Bishop Fernandes said. “In a way, we are being stewards of the gifts that God has given us.”
Catholic Social Services provides service coordinators at Seton North, which includes a large Chinese-American population, who help residents maintain their independence and link them with needed resources.
Qualifying income limits are determined by the federal government. Residents with no or low monthly income pay a percentage of their income for rent and utilities.
“In providing affordable housing to the elderly and disabled, we are also demonstrating that the preferential option for the poor is not merely an idea,” Bishop Fernandes said. “It is a reality to be lived and is a special form of primacy in the exercise of Christian charity, to which the whole tradition of the Church bears witness.”
Borror manages the Seton properties, and Msgr. Joseph Hendricks, pastor of Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare Church, serves as the president of the Seton Corporation and is the diocese’s representative for its senior housing facilities.
“Mother Teresa, beyond material poverty, also spoke of spiritual poverty and the poverty of loneliness,” Bishop Fernandes said. “Here in this place, the residents will experience God’s love, which often comes to us in and through the Church and in and through our neighbors. That is what we hope this dwelling place will be – a place for God’s love.”
Bishop Earl Fernandes speaks to residents at the Seton Square North housing facility in northwest Columbus during a blessing of a renovation project. Photo courtesy Abigail Pitones
Robert Whitner, 85, has lived at Seton North for 18 years. He is celebrating his 65th wedding anniversary in 2022 with wife Teresa, 84, who has moved to another assisted living facility but is able to come home to Seton North to be with him for 31 days a year.
He was one of two speakers, along with Jianguo Wei, introduced by Catholic Social Services CEO Rachel Lustig to express gratitude to be living at Seton North.
“When I look around at what’s going on in the world today in the way people are living, the cost of living and the amount of money we make compared to the amount that we have, we are so blessed,” he said. “They do a wonderful job of maintenance, and they’ve done a wonderful job with the renovations.
“And I love all the people, and I can’t say enough about the social workers. I love you all, and I thank you for what you’ve done for me and my wife.”