Our Mission

We, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, whose corporate title is The Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer, serve the Church in the apostolate of loving service begun by our foundress, Mother Mary Alphonsa Lathrop O.P. She, with her beloved co-worker, Mother Mary Rose Huber, founded this community to care for the poor afflicted with incurable cancer.

            “Our apostolate is founded on a living and dynamic faith in Jesus Christ, through whom is accomplished, in love, the work of the institute.” (Sister’s Constitutions). We rely on the Providence of Almighty God and the charity of the public to support us in this worthwhile endeavor. We accept no remuneration from our patients, their families, or any other source of reimbursement.

            We believe that life is a sacred gift from God. We reverence and cherish that gift both here and in eternity. We serve those who are to pass from one life to another, and we dedicate our lives to fulfilling the goal of Mother Alphonsa: “We must make our guests glad they crossed the threshold that is to be their last boundary. We must make them as comfortable and happy as if their own people had kept them and put them into the very best bedroom.”


Philosophy of Care

            The philosophy of care at Rosary Hill Home is to provide a loving, peaceful, home-like environment to our Guest patients. All patients admitted to the Home have a diagnosis of incurable cancer. We strive to meet their physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs and to give comfort and consolation, knowing we cannot offer them a cure. We respect all human life, and we cherish it as a gift from God, and we rejoice in the gift of life, both here and in eternity.


What we Believe

As a Catholic healthcare institution, we believe that we continue the healing ministry of Christ and are guided by the moral tradition of the Catholic Church.