February, 16, 2022, many of the sisters who provide care for patients at Sacred Heart Mercy Health Care Center in Alma, Michigan, attended the Mass for Healthcare Professionals at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. This was an opportunity for the sisters to join with healthcare professionals from the round the diocese to be with Bishop Gruss in the celebration of the Eucharist and to be present as health professionals and religious women for the people of the diocese.
Bishop Gruss gave a beautiful and moving homily with the following excerpts:
Mercy Embraces and Transforms Misery
Let’s look at the word mercy – misericordia – is composed of two words: misery and cordia (heart). The heart indicates the capacity to love; mercy is that love which flows from the heart and embraces the misery of others. It is a love that “feels” our poverty as its own, with a view to freeing us of it. The heart of Jesus takes our misery (in whatever form) and transforms it through his mercy.
Called to be Instruments of Mercy
And we are called to be his instruments of mercy. Jesus sends all of us into the world to enter into the wounds of others, wherever we find ourselves and to whomever Christ sends us. We can never be afraid to enter into the wounds of others – in order to bring love there, Christ’s love, the very tenderness and mercy of God…
Sister Mara Lester, RSM, MD
Passion and Compassion
The human experience of love and kindness from a believer, from a person of faith, is important because it is the mission of the Church. “Wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident.”[1] In the words of Dr. Norbert Myslinski, a University of Maryland professor of neuroscience, “There is a common denominator in my mind between the medical profession and the church: passion and compassion – passion for life and compassion for our fellow man.”
I want to thank all the medical personnel who carry out your work as “ministers of life and participants in the affectionate [tenderness and] love of God – who do it with passion and compassion.
Hands that Touch the Suffering Body of Christ
No matter how each of you do it, no matter what form your work takes, and I know that the healthcare industry has many facets, no matter if you have direct contact or indirect contact with the people you serve, know that “each day your hands touch the suffering body of Christ, and this is a great honor and a great responsibility.”
In conclusion, never fail to ask the Lord for the strength to accomplish your mission and to bear witness courageously to the Gospel of Life. Again, I thank you for your sacrifices, your commitment, your compassion, your patience and love.
May St. Luke, patron of healthcare and healthcare professionals intercede for you. And may the Blessed Mother, the Mother of Life, watch over you as you minister in the name of her Son. God bless you all.[i]
See the complete text of Bishop Gruss’ homily (read, listen, or watch)
Blessing for Those who Work in Health Care
Prayer for Health Care Workers
Almighty God,
Whose, beloved Son Jesus Christ,
went about doing good, and healing all manner of illness and disease:
Continue, we beseech you,
His gracious work among us in especially
(Insert the name of your facility or department).
Grant to physicians, nurses, and all health care professionals
wisdom and skill, sympathy and patience;
keep them safe and preserve them from all contagion.
Cheer, heal, and sanctified the sick,
and send down your blessing upon all who care for them.
Through our divine healer, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
+J. Augustine DiNoia[ii]
[i] “Bishop Gruss to Healthcare Professionals: ‘We Are Called to Be His Instruments of Mercy’.” Diocese of Saginaw, February 17, 2022. https://www.saginaw.org/news/bishop-gruss-healthcare-professionals-we-are-called-be-his-instruments-mercy.
[ii] “Prayer for Health Care Workers.” Accessed February 20, 2022. https://www.chausa.org/docs/default-source/prayers/Virus-related/prayer-for-health-care-workers-dinoia.pdf?sfvrsn=0.
Posted March 4, 2022
