On April 28, Lourdes associates unearthed a bit of Lourdes history that has been sealed away for more than 30 years.

A time capsule from 1975, the year the Seton wing was completed, was pulled out from behind a cornerstone on the hospital's exterior wall near the former front entrance. Due to the current construction at the hospital, the capsule needed to be removed so that it could be preserved.

Wayne Mitteer (Vice President for Organizational Excellence) and Sister DeChantal (former Hospital Administrator) opened the time capsule to reveal several photos of the hospital, yellowed copies of The Evening Press and The Sun Bulletin newspapers featuring a story about Lourdes 50th Anniversary, a hospital mission statement, a list of employees, a letter from one of the original Daughters of Charity, a figurine and relic of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton for whom the wing was named, along with many other items.

Several associates who worked at the hospital in 1975 looked on and reminisced as the capsule was opened. Sr. DeChantal also read the following letter from the Administrator (President) of Lourdes when the capsule was sealed:

August 15, 1975

To you who now read this message - We are thinking of you today as we seal this cornerstone box! We pass on to you our commitment to the sick and injured of mankind and to all of those who will seek refuge at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital! When this box is sealed, it contains a sacred message and one that we of today hope and pray will be read by you and contain the same meaning for you. We are definitely committed to respecting life and the dignity of the human person as outlined in the Gospels. God bless you and carry on!

Sr. Helen Kelley and all of us at Lourdes on this eventful day of August 15, 1975.

Plans are currently underway for the items to be displayed at the hospital until the time capsule is returned. New contents will be added to the capsule before placing it under a new cornerstone when the new Emergency Department is completed in 2010.