Mary is one of the first residents to move into Catholic Charities newest senior housing building in East Baltimore. Her corner apartment at Our Lady of Fatima is her new home, and quite close to her old home.

Mary, who will be 88 next month, has lived in her own home in the neighborhood directly across the street from Our Lady of Fatima for 58 years. A very large moving truck carried her furniture and belongings from her three-story row house just 3/10th’s of a mile away in what is called the “A through K” or “ABC” neighborhood. Formally known as the Joseph Lee neighborhood, it begins with Anglesea Street and ends with Kane Street, which borders the new senior housing community at 6424 East Pratt Street.

Mary’s daughter and her sister Barbara lent their help with the move. Barbara said, with a look of relief, “I’m so happy Mary is here in this new building.”

Catholic Charities Senior Housing at Our Lady of Fatima offers 54 one-bedroom, rent-assisted apartments for older adults 62 and over. The building offers service coordination, a computer center, multipurpose room, laundry room, personal emergency response system, intercom and controlled entry system, a resident association and all units are  wired for telephone and cable television service. Our Lady of Fatima Church is right next door.

Mary has been a parishioner with the Our Lady of Fatima since it began in a small store in 1951. She is a member of the parish’s Jolly Club and of the Bayview Community Association. Her doctors are all at Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, just down the road. She points out that, with her new home, she is not leaving any of these important things behind.
“I’m still really in the neighborhood,” she said with a sense of strength and simple happiness.

For Mary, what could be better than staying close to the old neighborhood? Staying IN it. Shopping, places of worship, the library, two senior centers and recreational activities are all located nearby. To some neighborhood amenities, she is even closer than before.

Mary pointed out the window and said, “Look how close we are to the shopping center!”