It's not unlikely that the millions of people who receive care in a Catholic hospital, clinic or care facility annually in the United States don't know the finer points of charism, sponsorship or community benefit.
But for those working in these settings, charged with continuing Jesus' mission of love and healing in the world, having an understanding, or a better understanding, of foundational theology, structures and concepts is key. Not everyone needs to know everything at the same level, depending on their discipline and role. Yet, orientation and continued growth in understanding how Catholic healthcare is shaped and continues to evolve provide learnings that form the individual and influence how they deliberate, make decisions and respond to patients.
Understanding Catholic Healthcare is the focus of this issue of Health Progress. It is meant as a way to discuss and deepen knowledge related to aspects of Catholic healthcare. It is written both for those new to the ministry and those with years of experience, who may find something educational or inspirational as they revisit concepts that already feel familiar to them.
Consider, for example, the cover art for this Fall issue. Three contemporary figures walk a path, heading toward an opening filled with mostly bare branches and blossoms. To my mind, illustrator Jianan Liu likely was motivated by author Michael Cox's reflection on the biblical Road to Emmaus story in his article about leading with head, heart and presence when decisions may be disruptive for staff and patients.
Walking to Emmaus, two of Jesus' disciples initally don't recognize the risen Christ. It is as he accompanies them, teaches them and breaks bread with them that they realize who he is. While the passage can be parsed more deeply on a theological level, this speaks to the importance of relationship and fellowship to understanding. That's true in our workplaces and our lives, I think.
Also, as a reminder, CHA has a wealth of resources, and so if readers don't see a topic represented here in a way that seems robust, it may be because we've taken it up in another recent issue. The editor in me also believes a writer shouldn't introduce a topic without explaining it, so if you read the first line here and are still scratching your head about charism, sponsorship or community benefit, read on.