How can those who serve in Catholic ministries offer hope to fellow travelers who are on a journey of healing?
That was the central question posed to participants of a hybrid event entitled "Healing, Help and A Continuum of Hope: A Day of Renewal and Enrichment" that was held in St. Louis and virtually on Feb. 15. The gathering, attended by chaplains, mission and formation leaders and other professionals from Catholic health care and social services, provided an opportunity to gain deeper insights into spiritual life and strengthen collaboration and collegiality among Catholic ministries.
Danielle Harrison, manager of the St. Charles Lwanga Center of the Archdiocese of St. Louis and principal of Mission Faith Equity Consulting, presented on "Pilgrims of Hope," the theme of the church's 2025 Jubilee Year. She told a story about her physician father who emigrated from Haiti. Despite his patients sometimes having trouble understanding what he was saying due to his strong accent, she recalled how they "loved him because he took time to listen and always showed compassion on his face." She pointed out that this bedside manner allowed space for God's healing presence to come through in his encounters with his patients.
Harrison also highlighted the story of Jesus washing his disciples' feet as an example for caregivers to follow. She encouraged attendees to remember the importance of not just being in service to others but also being open and vulnerable to those they serve. "How do we make room to allow others to help us?" she said. "We can learn from them, whether it be about the way they heal or how they pray. Caring speaks a language that is deeper."
In reflecting on her work promoting diversity, equity and inclusion, Harrison argued that the current political environment has presented society with a "crossroad of understanding the giftedness of the other." She pointed to 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 — There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ — as a reminder of our interconnectedness with one another. She encouraged attendees to prioritize accompaniment in their work and "walk as allies, not just bystanders or cheerleaders. Use the power you have in relationships to speak the gospel."
Mental health care
In a presentation on the church's need to accompany those suffering from mental health issues, Mike Carotta, author of the Catholic Charities USA curriculum "Whole Hearted," pointed to how painful events often
contribute to mental health issues such as severe anxiety and depression. He encouraged caregivers to think about how the Paschal Mystery of Christ — his suffering, death and resurrection — pertains to our own lives as we go through the
process of healing.
"We may be at different phases in where we are with suffering. We may have experienced loss, or find ourselves being reborn," he said.
Carotta, who highlighted "Whole Hearted" as a parish resource for members or their loved ones who have been impacted by painful experiences, led attendees in an exercise where they shared examples of both grace and "dis-grace" in their lives as a way to better understand how letting go of certain ambitions, expectations and ideals can bring about restorative healing.
Joining Carotta in his presentation was Scott Hurd, vice president of leadership development and Catholic identity for Catholic Charities USA, who spoke about the power of forgiveness. He pointed out that while forgiveness plays a prominent role in the Christian faith, the teachings of Jesus don't specifically define how forgiveness should occur. "It's not just reconciliation or letting people off the hook. It's not something to be imposed on others," Hurd said. "Rather, forgiveness is a process and a graceful decision."
One of the final sessions of the day of enrichment was a panel discussion with representatives from CHA, Catholic Charities and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. The group discussed the importance of collaborating as they work to foster human flourishing.
Call for collaboration
Jill Fisk, CHA director of mission services and the meeting's facilitator, said that healing professionals and ministries that serve the church "are called to continually move toward their own healing. Offering
hope to the healers, then, is an act of love. In a time when the world is hungry for hope, we must commit to greater collaboration as Catholic ministries: this is where we can do our very best work on behalf of the church."
The meeting followed a similar gathering in Seattle last year, also held in commemoration of World Day of the Sick, and was sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, Catholic Charities, the National Association of Catholic Chaplains, and CHA. Following the convening, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski celebrated Mass for attendees.