Southern Nebraska Register
The Lincoln Guild of the Catholic Medical Association will host a monthly Mass for all healthcare professionals, held on the first Thursday of each month at 6 a.m. in the Chapel at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln.
A priest will be available to hear confessions 15 minutes prior to Mass.
The first Mass will be Thursday, Oct. 2, at 6 a.m. Membership in the Catholic Medical Association is not required—all healthcare professionals are welcome.
Sister Joan Kolbe Kjerstad, a member of the Marian Sisters of the Diocese of Lincoln who is currently serving at Holy Family Clinic in Lincoln, is secretary of the Lincoln Guild. She said when the Guild was founded in 1997, weekly Masses were offered for nearly a decade.
“We are hoping to renew this tradition, encouraging physicians, nurses, therapists, and all healthcare workers to unite in prayer and fellowship,” she said.
After each Mass, attendees are invited to stay for a brief time of community and discussion, fostering mutual support in the mission of the CMA: “Forming and supporting current and future physicians to live and promote the principles of the Catholic Faith in the science and practice of medicine.”
St. John Paul II encouraged physicians to pray: “You who are the Life, provide us with the gift of preaching and bearing witness to the ‘Gospel of life’ in our profession... to defend it always, from conception to its natural end, and to respect the dignity of every human being, especially the weakest and most in need.”
“We look forward to strengthening the foundation of compassionate care for the poor, sick, and vulnerable in the Diocese of Lincoln,” Sister Joan Kolbe said.
With questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Other leaders of the Lincoln CMA guild include Dr. Suzanne Vanderhaul, president and Dr. Casey Bowen, treasurer. Board members include Mary Haschke, Dotti Easter (nurses’ liaison), Arthur Grinstead, Phil McNeely, Tim Fischer, Mark Bergeron and Carla Ericksen. Father Daniel Rayer is spiritual director.
Bishop James Conley is the current National Episcopal Advisor for the Catholic Medical Association. Father Christopher Kubat is the national chaplain.
