In 1999, when Sister Rose Clare Erhlich, CSA, was Pastoral Associate in St. Andrew’s Parish, Fort Wayne, Ind., she had a gentleman come to her door asking whether the old convent building was being used. To that Sister Rose Clare answered “No,” and he asked her whether he could use it for a recovery home for men. After consulting with the diocesan authorities, they gave permission. Hence, the old convent became “The Shepherd’s House” for men in recovery from addictions.
One year later, Sister Rose Clare was leaving to go on a sabbatical. This same gentleman asked her if she would consider founding a home for women in recovery. The timing was perfect. Sister Rose Clare had time on her sabbatical to pray, discern, and talk to her superiors in Wisconsin.
With the decision made and permission granted, the next task was to find a suitable home for women. “Seek and ye shall find.” One evening, Sister Rose Clare was invited to dinner at a couple’s home right down the street from St. Andrew’s Parish, where they were parishioners. They informed her that they were having a baby and were moving to prepare for their new family. “My eyes got really big, and I responded that this would be a beautiful home for women! It was a beautiful Victorian home with exquisite woodworking and roses on the wallpaper. They said they would sell it to the parish if St. Andrew’s could come up with the money.”
Thus began a search. Sister Rose Clare knew a Catholic gentleman who, with his wife, had a foundation, and so a visit was arranged to explain the situation. He said he would buy the home for the parish on one condition – that Sister Rose Clare be the director. Sister Rose Clare said “Yes” immediately, and so The Rose Home was officially born.
My eyes got really big, and I responded that this would be a beautiful home for women! It was a beautiful Victorian home with exquisite woodworking and roses on the wallpaper.
The house was cleaned from top to bottom and necessary materials were purchased and put in place. The Rose Home officially opened its doors in 2002. Sister Rose Clare’s first resident was escorted by two police officers from jail. During conversation, she informed Sister Rose Clare that drugs were sold from her home. Daily after that, more women came to the home, and it officially became a working institution. The women were expected to find a job and have chores in the house along with paying rent weekly. Little by little, things progressed. Morning reflections and AA/NA meetings were obligatory as well.
Sister Rose Clare’s directorship lasted six months before she decided it was time to retire and hire Barb Kaminskas as director. Barb established a new set of House Rules for the women and served in her roll for nearly six years. Then, Deborah Burton became the director and has helped the women flourish for the past 17 years
In late August 2024, God once again offered grace and protection. The tire facility next door to The Rose Home went up in flames and threatened to destroy all the work that had been done. Sister Rose Clare recalls, “The women were told to leave and stood across the street watching and praying the flames would not reach our beloved home. A fireman could be seen standing between the tire facility and our home dousing flames so that they would not reach our home. Our prayers for protection saved our home.”
The fire only left residual damage like soot and warped siding on the conference room. The Rose Home received new siding and new paint, bringing it back to its original beauty.
Since the home’s inception 23 years ago, 816 women have come to recover from their addictions. Residents must commit to staying for at least six months, with most staying around nine months. As part of their commitment, they attend AA/NA meetings and meet weekly to discuss “The Purpose Driven Life.”
After retiring, Sister Rose Clare joined the board of directors. In addition to other volunteer service in the parish, she makes regular visits to talk with the residents and the director. When needed, she offers rides to the women or serves as a mentor to them. She lights up as she talks about the people who live at The Rose Home, “Growth is very visible in the women.”
Every day, Sister Rose Clare thanks God for The Rose Home, the director, and women who are so eager to recover from their addictions and get back to a profitable life.
— by Dusty Krikau