Catholics working in healthcare are doing so in an increasingly complex, often hostile environment.
As Archbishop Anthony Fisher said in his 2025 Nicholas Tonti-Filippini Oration, we are living in a time in which a culture of death has made it difficult to affirm the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
In response, one of the doctors attending the first of the monthly Healthcare Ministries Formation and Support Masses, held at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, said; “Given the recent legalisation of euthanasia under the terminology ‘Voluntary Assisted Dying’, we as Catholic healthcare workers are determined to unify in solidarity and support of one another as we navigate a countercultural pushback against the emerging culture of death.”
These Masses will be held every month at Our Lady of the Angles Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Supplied
These Masses, in seeking to offer formation and support for all involved in the Healthcare Ministry in the Diocese, have a specific focus on supporting and accompanying our youth as they navigate the journey into the healthcare professions.
We are also mindful of the theme of the Eucharistic Congress in 2028 – ‘This is my body broken for you.’ Our theme for these Masses will link in with the Eucharistic Congress by focusing on the journey to Emmaus, where the disillusioned, grieving disciples found healing in the breaking of bread, when they would recognise their Lord and master, and enter into communion with him, whose body is broken for them as well as for us.
Just as taking Communion home to family members is ministering the love of Jesus for family members in the internal focus of ministry, taking Communion to Hospital patients or aged care residents is also ministering the love of Jesus in the external focus of ministry. This external focus has united professional, pastoral and sacramental streams of ministry in communion, participation and mission in witnessing the love of Jesus for the sick and the dying in our midst.
Our first Mass at Our Lady of the Angels was celebrated by Parish Priest Fr Carlos and assisted by Deacon Michael Tan, who is a retired GP with a special interest in palliative care.
Members of the leadership team for the Healthcare Ministry Masses for 2026, with Deacon Michael Tan pictured in the centre. Image: Supplied
After the Mass, Fr Carlos said: “The Healthcare Ministry has a profound religious significance, as it underscores the Christian understanding of the human person. I thank Deacon Tan and his team for coming to our Parish with this great initiative.”
Before Mass began, the leadership team for these Masses met for afternoon tea. In attendance were one physician, two retired GPs, two retired health administrators, one physiotherapist, and four pastoral care health workers.
There were also members of the healthcare professions at the Mass that followed. These Masses will be held regularly on the fourth Sunday of the month. All interested, especially our youth and healthcare workers, are most welcome to attend both the afternoon tea beforehand, as well as the Mass.
We look forward to our next Mass on the fourth Sunday in March.
Contact Deacon Dr. Michael Tan Michael.Tan@parracatholic.org for more information.
