ROSE MASS
March 1, 2008
4:30pm
CHRIST THE KING, ANN ARBOR

STANDING UP FOR LIFE

Our diocese is blessed with a strong commitment to respect, promote and defend Human Life. This reflects a truth from John Paul II: "The cause of the Church is the cause of the human person".

Supporting our diocesan wide pro-life stance and efforts are two ways dedicated to the service of human life and health care.

Our annual ROSE MASS and our Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association; both are vital players in the cause for human life. I am deeply appreciative and grateful for this service to LIFE!

How they originated is due to Divine Inspiration and deep faith and convictions of Catholics and others serving the mission of Christ and loving people.

The first Rose Mass in our diocese was on March 9, 1997 at St. Patrick Church, Ann Arbor. The TWELFTH Rose Mass will be this March 1 at 4:30pm in Christ the King Church, Ann Arbor.

What is 'Rose Mass'? Annually members of the Medical Profession and all who serve in Health Care are united in spiritual communion at the altar of our Eucharistic Lord. They renew their oath and commitment. They seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit as servants of Human Life.

The Rose Mass is always on the Fourth Sunday in Lent - called 'Laetare' (Rejoice) Sunday. Midway in Lent we praise and rejoice as we look toward Easter. Lenten Violet gives way to bright ROSE in the Sanctuary and the Vestments. So - it is also called ROSE SUNDAY. The rose flower is also an emblem of 'Pro-Life'.

The idea for a Rose Mass came in conversation with Deacon Dan Foley in 1996 and then in his letter of October 14, 1996. The first Rose Mass was organized by Deacon Dan and Dolly Foley with Larry and Susan Randolph and St. Patrick and Christ the King Parish.

The Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association was established on February 14, 1998. Dr. Catherine Dowling was the spark that kindled the fire in others for the Guild of Doctors, Nurses and Health Care Personnel. Other founding members were - Doctors Roger Anderberg (pediatrician), Michelle Rabideau (family practice), Rusty Chanez (family practice), Tim Nelson (cardiologist), Brian Kennedy (pediatrician) and Dominic Perrotta (medical student).

The first president, Tim Nelson, a seminarian then, was ordained a priest of our diocese. He said: "I think I always wanted the priesthood. I became a cardiologist out of a deep desire to serve people. But when I fixed their health problems, I saw that they needed help with deeper matters".

Nelson and Dowling both agree that one of the guild's goals will be to help Catholic health care workers witness in their professions. Nelson says, "The Guild should be a vehicle for medical workers to learn about their faith and witness to that faith".

"In the short term it is hard, because you are standing against the mainstream if you are practicing your faith as a doctor", Dowling says. "You are sticking out like a sore thumb, but, heck, God wants you to do that. I have gotten to the point where I do not care if I look like a fool. I would rather not disobey God".

In the homily of the 2nd Rose Mass in 1998, I said: "I am supremely gratified to welcome the establishment in our diocese of the Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association. Our Guild is an official member of the National Catholic Medical Association founded in 1932.

Our new Guild is truly providential and timely as we courageously confront the complexities, confusion and challenges relating to every dimension of human life and death. The Guild will provide members a comprehensive vision of the dignity of each human person and practical goals to promote and safeguard all human life. The greatest potential of the Guild for those who serve the dignity and life of each human person is the priority of a Christ-centered spiritual life. Spiritually vivified and fortified, members, individually and collectively become a powerful force and witness toward creating a Culture of Life and a Civilization of Love.

To your first president, Dr. Tim Nelson, officers and members, please accept my congratulations and prayerful support.

The challenges of our day are a splendid opportunity for the Guild and all of us to proclaim the wonder and beauty of the Gospel that centers on the "dignity of the human person" so willed and created by God.

Two millennia of the Church’s teaching about 'man' in the light of revelation has been carefully gathered and brilliantly elucidated for us in the fortuitous encyclical letters of Pope John Paul II. He shines forth in profundity and clarity as philosopher, theologian, ascetic and importantly as a good pastor".

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MISSION STATEMENT

The Lansing Guild of the Catholic Medical Association is dedicated to:
Upholding the principles of the Catholic faith, related to medicine, as taught by the Magisterium.

Leading the Christian community in communicating Catholic medical ethics to the medical profession, clergy and general public.

Assisting Catholic hospitals in applying Catholic moral principles to the practice of medicine.

Enabling Catholic physicians and physicians-in-training to know one another better and to work together with deeper support and understanding.

Exploring an understanding of the spirituality and vocation of the physician.

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Everyone is welcome to the 12th Rose Mass on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Christ the King Church, Ann Arbor at 4:30pm.

Professionals and Personnel in Health Care are welcome to join the Catholic Medical Association, Lansing Guild.

Check the web: www.cmalansing.org