White Mass recognizes work of health care professionals
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Story by Lois Rogers, Correspondent
There’s an old saying that once an event is held three years in a row, it becomes an established tradition.
If that’s the case, the White Mass held in Toms River’s St. Luke Church annually around the Feast of St. Luke, patron of physicians, since 2014, entered that realm Oct. 16. There, more than 300 health care professionals from around the four counties of the Trenton Diocese and beyond gathered with family members and friends to seek God’s blessing as they practice the art of healing.
The White Mass is named for the white medical garments worn by those in the medical community and has been celebrated in the United States since the development of the Catholic Medical Association in the 1930s. In addition to honoring those in health care, it provides an opportunity for Catholics in the medical field to unite their vocation with the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Among those in church for the Mass were Rossano and Jaye Jacinto who have attended the Mass each year to share in the prayer that supports them as they do their best to deliver health services to the needy.
The couple, members of St. Luke Parish, accompanied by their small daughters, shared how important prayer is in their work life and their family life as well. “We rely heavily on it,” said Rossano Jacinto. “It helps us to help people.”
His wife spoke of the strength the couple gets from sharing this Mass with their colleagues. “There’s a real sense of community,” to the Mass and the social that follows, Jaye Jacinto said. They both agreed that the anointing of the hands the health care community receives every year during the Mass is a highlight of their liturgical year.
“It’s a real blessing,” he said.
Their enthusiasm reflected the intention of their pastor, Father Robert Grodnicki, a former hospital chaplain, who wanted to give the large and growing medical community of central Ocean County an opportunity to come together and celebrate their chosen vocation.
Concelebrating the Mass with Father Grodnicki this year were Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, and Father Richard C. Vila, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade. Father Vila served as a registered nurse before entering the priesthood.
In his homily, Father Grodnicki said that the Mass celebrates the dedication of all in the medical profession who fill so many vital roles – from physicians to pharmacists, technologists, teachers, “prophets, givers of palliative care and friends. … At times, you have to counsel me when I come to you for answers on life challenging situations.”
He spoke of the 24-hour care given by so many which not infrequently connects with his own calling as a priest. “Someone may be dying and you have to go and then you call me and I have to go. This is our vocation. … That is the job we are called to and we come here today to acknowledge your skills … and celebrate what you do with the work of your hands.”
“Yours are the hands of experience and skill,” said Father Grodnicki, “hands that show you care. Thank you for sharing your gifts … thank you for the work of your hands.”
And reverently, scores of those who dedicate themselves to health care from doctors and nurses to pharmacists, therapists, aides in hospitals and nursing homes, approached the three priests who blessed their hands.
Colleagues who missed the Mass because of work were among those remembered in the Mass intentions.
In his remarks at the conclusion of the Mass, Father Grodnicki noted that the Mass was gaining attendance year by year. As they headed toward the social that followed it, members of the planning committee agreed with that account and talked about how important the liturgy and the social that follows have become.
Drs. Jocelyn Bautista, St. Luke Parish, and Lisa Martinez, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, said that this year’s Mass was widely attended by health care professionals from the greater Toms River area while some traveled from as far as Eatontown, Woodbridge and Atlantic City.
The attendance likely reflects the fact that the White Mass offers a “reminder of how God works through the hands” of health care workers, said Father Vila. “As a nurse and as a priest, I have seen miracles in front of my eyes.”
The White Mass, he said, is an affirmation of the “power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ.”
[[In-content Ad]]
Related Stories
Friday, November 01, 2024
E-Editions
Events
Story by Lois Rogers, Correspondent
There’s an old saying that once an event is held three years in a row, it becomes an established tradition.
If that’s the case, the White Mass held in Toms River’s St. Luke Church annually around the Feast of St. Luke, patron of physicians, since 2014, entered that realm Oct. 16. There, more than 300 health care professionals from around the four counties of the Trenton Diocese and beyond gathered with family members and friends to seek God’s blessing as they practice the art of healing.
The White Mass is named for the white medical garments worn by those in the medical community and has been celebrated in the United States since the development of the Catholic Medical Association in the 1930s. In addition to honoring those in health care, it provides an opportunity for Catholics in the medical field to unite their vocation with the healing ministry of Jesus Christ.
Among those in church for the Mass were Rossano and Jaye Jacinto who have attended the Mass each year to share in the prayer that supports them as they do their best to deliver health services to the needy.
The couple, members of St. Luke Parish, accompanied by their small daughters, shared how important prayer is in their work life and their family life as well. “We rely heavily on it,” said Rossano Jacinto. “It helps us to help people.”
His wife spoke of the strength the couple gets from sharing this Mass with their colleagues. “There’s a real sense of community,” to the Mass and the social that follows, Jaye Jacinto said. They both agreed that the anointing of the hands the health care community receives every year during the Mass is a highlight of their liturgical year.
“It’s a real blessing,” he said.
Their enthusiasm reflected the intention of their pastor, Father Robert Grodnicki, a former hospital chaplain, who wanted to give the large and growing medical community of central Ocean County an opportunity to come together and celebrate their chosen vocation.
Concelebrating the Mass with Father Grodnicki this year were Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish, Lavallette, and Father Richard C. Vila, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Maple Shade. Father Vila served as a registered nurse before entering the priesthood.
In his homily, Father Grodnicki said that the Mass celebrates the dedication of all in the medical profession who fill so many vital roles – from physicians to pharmacists, technologists, teachers, “prophets, givers of palliative care and friends. … At times, you have to counsel me when I come to you for answers on life challenging situations.”
He spoke of the 24-hour care given by so many which not infrequently connects with his own calling as a priest. “Someone may be dying and you have to go and then you call me and I have to go. This is our vocation. … That is the job we are called to and we come here today to acknowledge your skills … and celebrate what you do with the work of your hands.”
“Yours are the hands of experience and skill,” said Father Grodnicki, “hands that show you care. Thank you for sharing your gifts … thank you for the work of your hands.”
And reverently, scores of those who dedicate themselves to health care from doctors and nurses to pharmacists, therapists, aides in hospitals and nursing homes, approached the three priests who blessed their hands.
Colleagues who missed the Mass because of work were among those remembered in the Mass intentions.
In his remarks at the conclusion of the Mass, Father Grodnicki noted that the Mass was gaining attendance year by year. As they headed toward the social that followed it, members of the planning committee agreed with that account and talked about how important the liturgy and the social that follows have become.
Drs. Jocelyn Bautista, St. Luke Parish, and Lisa Martinez, St. Joseph Parish, Toms River, said that this year’s Mass was widely attended by health care professionals from the greater Toms River area while some traveled from as far as Eatontown, Woodbridge and Atlantic City.
The attendance likely reflects the fact that the White Mass offers a “reminder of how God works through the hands” of health care workers, said Father Vila. “As a nurse and as a priest, I have seen miracles in front of my eyes.”
The White Mass, he said, is an affirmation of the “power of the Holy Spirit and the love of Christ.”
[[In-content Ad]]