Bishop Gerald Barnes will preside at the 3 p.m. Mass at Christ the Redeemer Parish; 12745 Oriole Avenue; Grand Terrace, CA, followed by a dinner reception in the parish hall.
All healthcare workers from throughout the Diocese are invited to attend and will be honored for their service to others, walking in the steps of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Supreme Healer.
The Diocese will honor four individuals who have gone above and beyond, distinguishing themselves in practice and adhering to Catholic moral values and beliefs. The following will be awarded:
Dr. Vellore Muraligopal will receive the St. Luke Award. He is a Trustee Emeritus of the St. Bernardine Medical Center Foundation, born in Madras, India. He is a Neonatologist who has practiced for 39 years. He is a converted Catholic who was baptized into the faith by Bishop Gerald Barnes in the River Jordan during a tour of the Holy Land with the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher. He and his wife are members of this Order and are devoted parishioners of The Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Redlands.
Jose Macias will receive the Florence Nightingale Award. He has worked as an Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in the Emergency Room at Desert Regional Hospital for 19 years. He exhibits great compassion and respect for his patients, and has been recognized by receiving the “Caring Heart Award” by Desert Regional Hospital. He is an active parishioner of St. Louis Parish, Cathedral City.
Sister Christine Schleich, CSJ, will receive the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Award. She belongs to the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and works in St. Mary’s Medical Center, Apple valley. Sr. Christine has spent a great part of her life filling people’s lives with hope both in the United States and abroad. She has been instrumental in starting many programs in the High Desert that have provided much needed services to the poor, the sick and the vulnerable, improving the health and quality of life of people in the community she serves.
Rodney Koenig will receive The Bishop Award. He is a physician’s assistant in the Emergency Department at Community Hospital of San Bernardino. He is said to be bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm to his work as a PA. He displays great compassion and respect to his patients, most especially to those who are marginalized and neglected by society. He is also said to model a Christ like presence to the staff and patients. Rodney also serves during surgery in Long Beach where he can witness a renewed acceptance of self by patients who are in need of plastic surgery to repair a disfigurement to their head or face.