“A GLANCE AT THE crucifix gives me the strength and the courage to work.”
These fortifying words were spoken by St. Maria Troncatti, a Salesian sister who is one of the very first canonizations of Pope Leo XIV papacy last year. She is celebrated as a former Red Cross nurse in WWI who turned her healing skills to mission healthcare work in Ecuador, gaining the respect of the local people and the admiration for her courage and holiness worldwide.
This canonization serves as a timely reminder of the impact of holy men and women all over the world who have been the pioneers and innovators of healthcare fields and systems, whether the St. Francis Sisters founding the Mayo Clinic or our own Sisters of St. Joseph breaking ground into what would become the current Providence Health System.
And what better time to recognize these contributions than National Nurses Week, which takes place every year around Florence Nightingale’s birthday on May 12. The
week honors nurses and their invaluable work, and is marked by celebrations, affirmations and sometimes, a blessing of the hands in hospitals around the country.
Many can recount the times when a nurse has been an integral part of the most poignant moments of their lives. Deacon Francis Ang, soon to be ordained to the priesthood expressed, “My faith influenced my experience as a registered nurse because it provided the basis for how I treated and saw my patients. They weren’t just bodies on a bed, but a child of God with dignity, even in the midst of their pain, suffering and loneliness.”
Seminarian Travis Ang also shares a spiritual connection to the nursing field.
“By viewing all my patients through the lens of Imago Dei, I was able to look past each patient’s illness or social status and see their true value as a son or daughter of God,” he shared. “This made it natural to treat my underprivileged community with genuine kindness, looking each patient in the eyes and give them the high quality of care that they deserved. My work became more than about medicine, it was a way to show people that Christ was present in their lives especially during the challenging moments. I miss nursing every day and I pray for all my nursing colleagues.”
Nurses have a special calling, and many have shared their gifts in our parishes and churches across our diocese, especially through Faith Community Nursing. This program was established at Hoag Presbyterian Hospital in 1987 under the Spiritual Care Association and Westberg Institute. Per the Westberg Institute, “Faith community nurses are licensed, registered nurses who practice wholistic health for self, individuals and the community using nursing knowledge combined with spiritual care.”
“Our partner Faith Community Nurses are encouraged to complete a needs assessment to address the unique needs of their community,” said Beth Otterbein, Faith Community Nursing Outreach RN. “Many of our nurses serve their congregations as volunteers, each bringing their unique time, talent and background to the ministry.”
Our diocese has several dedicated Faith Community Nurses who have transformed access and insight into care, including areas of mental health, grief and bereavement, caregiving and disease prevention. As part of the program, Hoag creates a covenant with each Faith Based Organization to support their nurse with continuing education, monthly meetings, an annual spirituality conference and a variety of health education and wellness programs, each faith community is provided an AED machine, annual CPR/First Aid trainings, flu vaccine and supplies, a blood pressure monitor and other materials for their ministry.
Faith Community Nursing has been an interfaith and ecumenical resource meeting this need across our neighborhoods and denominations. Santiago de Compostela presently hosts a Caregiver Support Group through the Peace in the Storm project, started by former Faith Community Nurse Kanoe Martin and supported by the Emmanuel Ministry.
“The blessings of giving these precious caregivers time to recharge in the Holy Spirit is tremendously powerful as they care for their loved ones and friends,” said Martin.
The Faith Community Nursing program has been continued by Marcia McCormack, who has been a nurse since 1969, and has recently been appointed Health Information Advocate at the parish.
“I’m grateful to our pastor Fr. Thomas for supporting my response to God’s call to service,” McCormack shared.
Additionally, Nurse Marcia shares healthy eating and wellness tips on her website marciamccormackrn.com.
At St. Irenaeus, Nurse Jennifer Dagarag continues to make a difference with countless resources and programs at the parish, even supporting up and coming nursing students.
“What touches my heart most is bringing Jesus into the mess of everyday life and reminding people how much they are loved and never alone,” she said. “Whether through GriefShare, the gift of a Prayer Shawl or handmade Rosary, the smile of the Homebound Eucharistic Minister, the meal to at-risk youth through Bridge of Light, Mental Health Ministry and Sunshine Outreach Ministry, Our Divine Healer is at work.”
At St. Timothy parish, the program has provided vital training for parish nurses and health ministers, which has become important to the integration of the Caring for the Whole Person Initiative.
“St. Timothy has had a robust GriefShare program for the past four years, offering the 11-week sessions at least twice annually and holding the specialty workshops, “Coping with the Holidays” and “Coping with the Loss of a Spouse” at least once annually,” shared parish leader Patty Mouton, MSGc. “Team members maintain a Support Group, started by Hoag FCN staff, which meets twice a month, for caregivers of loved ones with serious illness. With our Knights of Columbus, our Caring for the Whole Person ministry has provided critical support when family interventions for older adults have been complicated.”
This May, let us remember the examples of St. Maria Troncatti, and all the nurses in our lives, especially in our faith community, who selflessly tend to the Body of Christ in their vocation to heal and serve.
For more information on the Faith Community Nursing Program or healthcare related Caring for the Whole Person ministries, contact: [email protected]
To learn about how to become a FCN, visit: hoag.org/programs/spiritual-care/faith-community-nursing
Save-the-Date for the annual Healthcare Provider White Mass honoring nurses and all those who work in related professions, Sunday, Oct. 11 at 3 p.m. at Christ Cathedral Arboretum.