BY: SR. BARBARA McMULLEN, CDP
It is important to make room in our work life for prayer and spiritual reflection. Leaders in Catholic healthcare are often called to provide a prayer on various occasions. Recognizing the many demands on your time, Health Progress wants to offer assistance by providing this prayer service, written by Sr. Barbara McMullen, CDP, senior associate, Sponsor Services, Catholic Health Association. You may use it at staff or board meetings or any other time you wish to create a moment to reflect on the mission of Jesus, which animates our work in the Catholic health ministry.
We are considering including a similar prayer service in each issue of Health Progress to help leaders who wish to enhance a sense of spirituality in the workplace, as well as within themselves.
Call to Prayer
Leader:
"While they were still speaking about all that had happened, Jesus himself stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace to you.'" (Lk 24:36)
All:
"As the father has sent me, so I send you. Receive the Holy Spirit." (Jn 20:21-22)
Reader 1
"Creative, committed leaders will guide the ministry of the future. They will be prepared for their roles in an organized way so that they will animate the ministry from within and ensure its continuity and fidelity to the mission."1
Scripture Response
"Then he opened their minds to the understanding of the Scriptures." (Lk 24:45)
"The one who comes will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." (Lk 3:16)
"They began to make bold proclamation as the Spirit prompted them." (Acts 2:4)
Reader 2
"The Catholic identity of the institution will not be a weak vestige of an earlier day, but an active force shaping the decisions and actions of trustees, managers, physicians, and employees."2
Scripture Response
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." (Mk 16:15)
"Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you; and know that I am with you always, until the end of the world." (Mt 28:20)
"Jesus was taken up into heaven and took his seat at God's right hand. The eleven went forth and preached everywhere." (Mk 16:19)
Closing Prayer
All:
Loving God, we thank and praise you for the power of your presence deep in our hearts, the vitality of your presence here in our midst, for this opportunity to come together and celebrate our common call to the healing mission of Jesus. We thank you for the quality of ministry that is represented here, for the many and diverse efforts that continue to contribute to the building of a better world. Confirm and strengthen our vision. Be the hope that sustains us and strengthens us in these changing, challenging times. Glory and praise to you!
NOTES
- Healthcare Leadership: Shaping a Tomorrow, revised ed., Catholic Health Association, St. Louis, 1995, p. 12.
- Catholic Health Ministry: A New Vision for a New Century, Commission on Catholic Health Care Ministry, Marriottsville, MD, 1988, p. 7.
Copyright © 1997 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
For reprint permission, contact Betty Crosby or call (314) 253-3477.