Shared Ministry

Health Ministry
of
Sisters of Mary of the Presentation

We, as Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, carry on the apostolic mission given us by our founders. We are strengthened by each other in our community living and in our prayer as we move into the various forms of evangelization.

The people who work with us are our greatest resource – our boards, our medical staffs, our administrative groups, our employees, and our volunteers. We share our ministry with them. We join hands with them to carry on this healing ministry, bringing Christ to people. To bring Christ through the ministry of healing means that we are interested in healing the whole person; that we believe in the worth of each individual; that we do not judge, but rather support; that we testify to the reality of a loving God; and that we heal through understanding and prayer, as well as health care.

There is nothing unusual about a health care facility that has a mission of healing. However, there is a difference in the definition of “healing” which is used. We believe that healing is anything that keeps the individual integral, anything that gives a person wholeness. When people are broken, they are broken in many ways. It has not only to do with their body, but with their self-image and spirit as well. With this definition, a smile, a “hello”, or a “thank you” can be a healing experience. To communicate this, it is not just the individual rendering direct patient care, but everyone in the facility who participates in the healing process. Further, this extended definition of “healing” leads us to believe that it is not just our patients/residents, but all of us who are in need of healing from each other. Our mission is to heal – to cure sometimes – but always to heal.

Healing in Christ is not a Catholic monopoly. There are many people and institutions that carry on this work. The non-Catholic employee should be assured that there would be no attempt to change his/her beliefs. As with any business establishment, the institution has certain values and beliefs which the employee is asked to abide by in accepting the offer of employment. Different concepts of God and different concepts of truth are really no barrier to the fact that Christ told us to love each other, and Vatican II has asked us to work together to form a new humanity.

We need to remember that the search for God frequently begins when people have first been accepted by another. We need to remember, also, that the health care giver, regardless of his/her belief, gives better care when he/she is cared for.

In summary, we are Catholic facilities owned and operated by a religious congregation, the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, who are involved in a Christ-like healing ministry. We define “healing” broadly so that we are all involved in the process to heal and be healed. It is our desire to work with all people of goodwill within and without the health care facility in trying to establish a new humanity. In other words, we Religious and laity, all gifted Christians, are sent on a mission and we are engaged in ministry to all the people who come into our lives day after day.