Felician Sisters handing over reigns of St Joseph Hospital

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- After sixty-three years, the Felician Sisters announced Thursday they are transferring ownership of the hospital to covenant health systems

Sister Mary Norberta, who has served as president and CEO for almost thirty years, also announced that she will be stepping down in 2011. She says the sisters made the decision to merge with covenant to ensure the hospital's future stability. The Felician Sisters have struggled with the decreasing number of women in the congregation. The hospital has also struggled financially. In April, the hospital asked its employees to take a five percent paycut. Sister Norberta says the economy was a factor in the decision.

"St. Joseph was caught right into that, as well looking at what's the future for this small hospital," Norberta said. "We wanted to make sure it would survive long into the future. Our legacy is here and all of the work that we've done here."

Sister Norberta says the change should not affect general hospital operations. It will still be run by a local board and other Felician sisters will still be staying on in administrative roles. There are no other planned changes to staffing at this time.