Thoughts from the President

Dr. Paul R. Ahr, President & CEO of Camillus House

To live purposively

This Lent we have reflected on Pat Forde's painting, Through the Heart of Camillus. This painting depicts the healing action of Camillus occurring as the dark and broken hearts are touched by the Hand of Camillus. Read more

To lift the burdens of others

All humanity must obtain a livelihood by sweat of the brow and bodily exertion, at the same time seeking to lift the burden of others, striving to be the source of comfort to souls and facilitating the means of living. This in itself is devotion to God.  —'Abdu'l-Bahá (1844–1921) Read more

Love, friendship and loyalty

Those who attended our 2012 ISPA Graduation at the Greater Bethel AME Church got to witness the end of an era of Camillus clinical leadership. Read more

To love sincerely

Two years ago, I wrote that the original Camillus House felt to me like a “thin-place” as described by Canadian writer Molly Wolf. Read more

To labor productively

At 2 o'clock EST February 28, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI resigned as the successor to St. Peter. He leaves our Catholic community and the world many writings published as a Professor, Prelate and Pope. Read more

To learn intentionally

In Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. Read more

The Completion of a Cycle

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the ninth series of our Letters to Camillus. Being the last of the simple numbers, nine symbolizes for some the completion of a cycle. I find this fitting, since by the end of Lent 2013, we will see the completion of construction of Phases I and II of our Norwegian Cruise Line Campus. Read more

“Auditorium” means a place for hearing

One of the delightful design features of the new Camillus House campus is a 124-seat state-of-the-art auditorium, situated on the second floor of the John S. & James L. Knight Executive Office Building. Read more

Graduations and other rites of passage

On November 9, 2012, CJ Matherne, Eddie Gloria, LeTania Severe and I went to Florida International University where we watched Camillus House Vice President for Strategy Management, Karen M. Mahar, defend her doctoral dissertation. Read more

Home Again

This week my wife Patricia and I were in Ireland visiting with family from both sides of the Atlantic and attending festivities associated with the Notre Dame vs. Navy football game in Dublin. Read more

Camillus House celebrates 52nd Anniversary

For the past 52 years, all of us who have served or been served by Camillus House — Brothers, Board members, benefactors, volunteers, clients and guests — have been on a journey together, a journey whose true meaning and meaningfulness we could not comprehend until we were well on our way. Read more

Pat Cawley to ‘go home again’

Friday, July 13, 2012 will forever be a bittersweet date, if not unlucky at Camillus House. For Friday, July 13, 2012 is the day when our beloved Clinical Director, Patricia A. Cawley, LCSW, returns to Massachusetts after 15 1/2 years at Camillus House. Read more

‘Goodbye’ to Camillus by the Bay

This year, Father's Day coincides with many activities associated with moving to the new Camillus House site, which call to mind a move our family made 40 years ago. Read more

The Giving is the Gift:
Reflections on Volunteers and Volunteering

Remarks at Carnival Cruise Lines' F.U.N. Team Recognition Reception. Read more

Reflections on Our Visit to Haiti

On April 15–17, Fred Mims, Pat Forde, Jude Monde and I followed up on an invitation from Brother Luc Joliecoeur, BGS to visit the Brothers' ministries in Haiti. Read more

A 21st Century “Monastery” on NW 7th Avenue

Early in this series of Letters, I wrote about the expansion of the contemporary Christian monastic system from North Africa and Asia Minor to Western Europe. Read more