Health-care professionals celebrate Mass on Oct. 9

by Cori Hilsgen

news@the newsleaders.com

A Catholic Mass honoring physicians, other health-care professionals and medical workers will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 9 at the Sacred Heart Chapel at St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph.

The Mass is for health-care workers of all faiths. Family and friends are also invited to attend the event.

St. Cloud Diocesan Bishop Donald Kettler will offer a special blessing for the hands of health workers, recognizing the work performed by those in the medical field. The St. Benedict’s Monastery Schola will lead the music.

According to the St. Cloud Diocese’s website, the “White” Mass celebrates the unique contributions health-care workers make to the medical field. The name of the Mass originated from the white coat usually worn by those in the medical field.

The Mass is a chance for workers to be recognized for their commitment to their chosen profession to help heal, to celebrate health and to receive a blessing from the bishop.

The College of St. Benedict Director of Campus Ministry Sister Sharon Nohner said for years the college has hosted a “Red” Mass during which they recognize and give a special blessing for those who work in the legal profession.

“It raised the question as to why we had not had a White Mass blessing for those who work in health care in our diocese seeing as the Sisters of St. Benedict have done so much in establishing the Catholic health-care system in our area and beyond,” Nohner said.

Bret Reuter, director of mission and spiritual care at St. Cloud Hospital, said in a press release that health care is sacred and soulful work.

“We need grace – God’s grace – to be present to patients, families and our colleagues in a manner that, as our mission suggests, reflects the healing mission of Jesus,” he said. “The Mass for health- care professionals celebrates the sacred work of caring for the sick among us and calls upon God’s grace that we may be vessels of God’s loving, healing presence to all those we serve.”

There are 24 Catholic-sponsored hospitals, nursing homes and assisted-living residences in the St. Cloud Diocese. The Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict founded St. Cloud Hospital in 1886 and St. Cloud School of Nursing in 1908. They also founded schools for X-ray technology, anesthesiology, laboratory technology, the St. Benedict’s Senior Community nursing home and developed a four-year registered nursing degree through the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.

The tradition of a White Mass to honor health-care workers was reintroduced into the diocese last year. Nohner said about 70 health care professionals attended last year’s Mass.

“It was a wonderful event that many wanted to see continue and become a yearly event,” she said. “The White Mass is a time to invite all who are in the health-care profession to gather and be blessed for the healing work they are doing in our communities.”

Annette Jesh, parish health-ministries program coordinator for St. Cloud Hospital, said the St. Cloud Diocese has a rich history of providing health care.

“When we gather together, we have an opportunity to renew our dedication as members of the health-care community and how each of us responds to providing holistic health – that is the process where there is harmony and balance among the dimensions of our lives and those we care for – body, mind, spirit and relationships,” Jesh said.

The event is sponsored by the Diocese of St. Cloud, Sisters of St. Benedict, St. Benedict Senior Community of CentraCare Health in partnership with CSB/SJU and St. Cloud Hospital.

A reception will be held after the Mass in the Sacred Heart gathering space.