CMA Guilds Celebrate Annual White Masses Around the Country

November 17, 2023

Saints Molla and Moscati Guild of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma

The Saints Molla and Moscati Guild of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma celebrated its 10th Annual White Mass for health care professionals Saturday, October 14, 2023. The occasion was a collaborative effort of Saint Francis Health System, Ascension St. John, the Diocese of Tulsa and Eastern Oklahoma, and the Catholic Medical Association, reflecting the teamwork and cooperation which distinguish Tulsa as one of the most vibrant cities for Catholic health care in the nation.

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass began at 5 pm at Holy Family Cathedral in downtown Tulsa with Bishop David Konderla as the principal celebrant, joined by Vicar General of the Diocese Fr. Gary Kastl. Beautiful programs were printed for the occasion. During Mass, a quartet of singers performed multiple motets accompanied by organ. At the end of Mass, Guild President Dr. Joseph M. Eble led health care providers in renewing specific promises as Catholic professionals. Those promises include praying for one another, practicing outstanding medicine, transforming medical practices through the power of Christ’s love, and abiding by the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services. Saint Francis Health System and Ascension St. John co-sponsored a dinner reception after.

Denver CMA

The Denver CMA Guild celebrated the Annual White Mass at Sacred Heart Church October 13, 2023 bringing together doctors, medical professionals and medical students for a day of celebration in honor of the patron of physicians, St. Luke. Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila of Denver celebrated the White Mass and praised the work of the Catholic medical professionals.

Afterwards, Guild members were treated to a wonderful, authentic Mexican meal at Centro de San Juan. The keynote speaker Beth Sri, wife, mother, and author, spoke on the topic of her book “Deep Calls to Deep: How Our Deep Hurts Can Lead to Deep Healing.” As director of the Denver chapter for Life-Giving Wounds, a Catholic ministry for adult children of divorce, she focused on the struggles of growing up with the wounds of divorce in one’s life but how the healing from Christ comes in an experience of “points of intimacy with God.”

St. Thomas Aquinas Guild of the Quad Cities

Friday evening, October 20, 2023- Dr. Tim and Beth Millea hosted a dinner in their home for 20 Guild members as well as Father Tad Pacholczyk, the White Mass guest speaker. The next morning, October 21, the Guild’s 9th Annual White Mass was celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Davenport, Iowa. Father Bruce DeRammelaere, the pastor, was the celebrant, and Father Pacholczyk concelebrated. Immediately after Mass, more than 75 people attended Father Pacholczyk’s talk, “The Ethics of the Transgender Question.”

Fr. Edward J. Flanagan Guild of the Catholic Medical Association (Omaha Guild)

Over 120 attended the annual Omaha Guild’s White Mass and banquet dinner Oct. 27, 2023. Mass was celebrated by Archbishop George J. Lucas and concelebrated by Fr. Kevin Fitzgerald and Fr. Jim Clifton from Creighton University School of Medicine. Our Guild Chaplain Fr. Matthew Gutowski and Fr. Jim Buckley represented the host parish of Christ the King.

Dean of Creighton University School of Medicine Dr. Bo Dunlay gave the keynote address on the history and future of Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha and Phoenix, and its commitment to distinguish itself as an institution of faith. Dr. Dave Hilger received the St. Gianna Beretta Molla Award for 15 years of selfless dedication to the Fr. Edward J. Flanagan Guild (Omaha guild) and the National Catholic Medical Association.

Baltimore Guild-Catholic Medical Association

The annual Baltimore Guild-Catholic Medical Association (BG-CMA) White Mass was celebrated at the Baltimore Basilica (America’s First Cathedral) Sunday, October 22,2023. The celebrant, Most Reverend Denis J. Madden, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Baltimore, is an ex-officio member of the Guild. At the conclusion of the Mass, the new officers for the Guild were installed: President Dr. Gerard Mullin, Vice President Dr. Janine Danko, Treasurer Dr. Shirley Reddoch, and Secretary Christine Sybert, Pharm, D. A luncheon followed at the nearby Mercy Hospital where Dr. Robert Redfield, former director of the CDC and parishioner at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, presented, “Reflections on Science, Medicine, Pandemics, and the Catholic Faith.”

Miami Guild

The Miami Guild held its annual White Mass at St. Augustine Church & Catholic Student Center for the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida Sunday, November 12, 2023. Miami’s Guild Chaplain Fr. Alfred Cioffi concelebrated the Mass with St. Augustine’s pastor Fr. Richard Vigoa. At the end of the Mass, Guild President Dr. Felipe Vizcarrondo led the Hippocratic Oath ceremony. During the social that followed, Dr. Vizcarrondo spoke on the passage of Ohio’s Issue 1 amendment that enshrines abortion rights into the state constitution making abortion legal through viability (about 24 months or when the abortion doctor determines) explaining that those that pushed for it in Ohio are already mobilizing to add a similar amendment to the Florida ballot in 2024.

Tampa Bay Guild of St. Philomena

The Tampa Bay Guild of St. Philomena celebrated its annual White Mass November 11, 2023 with celebrant Bishop Gregory Parkes at Our Queen of Angels Chapel at Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida. The White Mass included a moving testimony by Deacon Paul Bendanti describing his journey to becoming a deacon last month.

The evening program included a short introduction by Guild President Dr. Rob Hamill, who welcomed three new board members including two new physicians under forty years of age. Dr. Hamill then gave a short presentation about the upcoming 93rd Annual Educational Conference to be held September 5-7, 2024 in Orlando, which seeks to clarify and reinforce Christ-centered medical and moral ethics.

Deacon Frank Averill, JD., Esq, OFS and Rose Averill, OFS were the dynamic speakers at the dinner following the Mass. Their presentation was about “One Couple’s Journey to Create a Catholic-based Medical Practice.” All 85 participants left with a renewed desire to participate in or create Catholic based health care in their current situation and gained specific techniques to accomplish these goals.