On August 19, healthcare professionals and spiritual care providers gathered for a retreat and day of prayer, organized by the Diocesan Department of Life, Dignity and Justice, to refresh and lift up their charism in the workforce.
The retreat took place at St. Anthony Catholic Church in San Bernardino from 9 am to 1:30pm. The morning kicked-off with a presentation on “Serving the sick and dying as Eucharistic people” by Father Chrisantus Ekwebelam, the Chaplain at Kaiser Permanente Moreno Valley Medical Center.
“It is from the Eucharist that we draw the strength and impetus to go on mission, especially to the sick, bringing the Love of God and His Christ to them,” Fr. Ekwebelam said.
After reflecting in silence for a moment on the words spoken by Fr. Ekwebelam, the healthcare professionals were gifted with a second presentation, “Sharing on the Eucharist as the center of our lives,” offered by Kathy Benjamin.
“Humility and Reverence in doing the will of our Lord can help us to gain a deeper understanding of the Holy Eucharist, and that means deeper encounter with patient’s and families,” Benjamin said.
Following Benjamin’s presentation, the healthcare providers then did some self-reflecting while listening to various songs. After self-reflecting, they then prayed the Rosary before listening to their final guest speaker Dr. Susan Protacio, who presented “The impact of the Eucharist on my daily life as a healthcare provider.”
“With my spiritual transformation through the Holy Eucharist comes also the realization that I have God given gifts,” Dr. Protacio said. “All of us have God given gifts and the best way to use these gifts is through service to others.”
The healthcare professionals’ retreat concluded with open sharing by the attendees on the blessings and challenges they face in the medical field as well as a closing prayer.
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE.