“See Jesus in your patients, show compassion”

Bishop Michael Mulvey and several priests—Fr. Richard Libby, an expert in bioethics, Fr. Joseph Lopez, the pastor of Most Precious Blood, and some hospital chaplains celebrated the mass in white garments. The bishop thanked all health care professionals for their ministry, saying, “Your presence in hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices is important.” In his homily, he urged them to “remember who you are”—a child of God called to imitate Jesus, who healed the sick and washed the feet of his apostles. 
 
Today, humanity's cry has many facets – the cry of the needy, the child in the womb, migrants, and many more. They can all be summarized as “humanity is crying out for love.” It is a cry for human dignity, and we can best respond by recognizing Jesus's presence in those we serve. “Love has to be sacrificial,” says the bishop. In his encyclical “Fratelli Tutti,” Pope Francis highlights one characteristic of the Gospel as a model, and Pope Leo XIII quotes his predecessor in his first exhortation: the Good Samaritan, who was the only one to help the victim. 
 
“We are constantly tempted to ignore others,” Bishop Mulvey continued. “See Jesus in the person you help and give the extra attention,” as Jesus said in the Gospel, “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). In this way, even without words, health care workers can show each patient, “You are loved by God, and loved by me – you matter.” He asked that God bless their lives, their families, their patients, and their coworkers.
 
After the Mass, everyone gathered for a reception. Fr. Richard Libby, who helped revive the White Mass through the Catholic Medical Association, was very pleased with the evening: “It is a great beginning." Dr. Sean Hutzler, who leads the local Catholic Medical Association guild, was happy about the good turnout, saying, "And next year, there will be even more people participating.”