October 23, 2018 – Mass for Health Care Professionals set for Nov. 4

October 23, 2018

MASS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS SET FOR NOV. 4

All health care professionals are invited to a Mass at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, at Sacred Heart Chapel of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph.

Father Tom Knoblach, consultant for health care ethics for the Diocese of St. Cloud, will preside at the Mass and give a blessing to all health care professionals present.

The St. Benedict’s Monastery Schola will sing, and the organ will be played by College of St. Benedict alum Lola Wolf. A community reception will follow.

Health care workers from all faiths are welcome to attend as well as family, friends and spouses.

The tradition in the United States of a Mass honoring health care professionals originated in the development of the national Catholic Medical Association in the early 1930s. Three years ago, the tradition was reintroduced in this diocese. The Mass takes place around the feast of St. Luke (Oct. 18), the patron saint of physicians and surgeons.

Religious communities were integral in founding health care facilities in the Diocese of St. Cloud. The diocese contains 24 Catholic-sponsored hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living residences. As part of their mission to care for the sick and elderly, the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict in St. Joseph founded St. Cloud Hospital in 1886 and St. Cloud School of Nursing in 1908 as well as a school for X-ray technology, anesthesiology, laboratory technology and a nursing home, St. Benedict’s Senior Community. The Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls were founded in 1891 and constructed a building that immediately served as a hospital and a home for the aged and later a nursing school. The sisters’ legacy complements efforts on behalf of health and healing made by other area faiths, communities and organizations.

The event is co-sponsored by the Diocese of Saint Cloud, St. Cloud Hospital, St. Benedict’s Monastery and St. Benedict’s Senior Community of CentraCare, in partnership with the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University.