Bishop leads World Day of Prayer service at Mercy Medical Center

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
February 16, 2006

Bishop R. Walker Nickless of the Diocese of Sioux City marked World Day of Prayer for the Sick on Feb. 10 with a prayer service in the chapel of Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City that included the celebration of the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick.

In opening comments, the bishop extended a welcome to the patients and their family members as well as healthcare workers that were gathered in the small chapel. He extended thanks to the people that offered prayers for his mother, who died about a week earlier.

"As we gather today, we celebrate World Day of Prayer for the Sick. We have come together to celebrate the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Christ is always present when we gather in his name," he said. "Today we welcome him especially as physician and healer. We pray that the sick may be restored to health by the gift of his mercy and made full in his fullness."

Following a Scripture reading from the Gospel of Matthew that centered on Christ's words: "Come to me, all you who are weary ... and I will refresh you. Take my yoke on your shoulders and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart."

In the homily, the bishop pointed out that the World Day of Prayer for the Sick was to be observed as closely as possible to the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, Feb. 11. He reminded the people that the Blessed Mother was a "wonderful person to intercede for us before her son. She cares so much about all of us who are her children and she is here especially for those of us who are sick, they are special in God's eyes."

Bishop Nickless said the church believes that the sick are chosen by God.

"You are chosen to become saints. You are chosen to become holy through your sickness, through your suffering, through what you offer up for the greater glory of God and join with the sufferings of Christ himself," he said. "So in a real way, it's a privilege to be sick."

He told them that their suffering was not in vain.

"We pray for you today and for all of those in the hospital who are sick and suffering in any way. We are so blessed to have so many good people caring for you - doctors, nurses and other healthcare givers - and we pray for them as well. It's hard to take care of those who are sick and they need a lot of patience, a lot of love and a lot of care."

As he begins his ministry in the diocese, Bishop Nickless asked the people to pray for him.

"Sometimes we think there is not much a sick person can do, but you can pray. You can pray for me, the priests and the people who care so much for the church," he said. "Pray for us that we do our jobs and know that we hold you dear to our hearts."

Following petitions, the bishop laid his hands in prayer on those who came forward and then anointed the people with sacred oil on the palms of their hands and their foreheads. Msgr. Roger Augustine, vicar general; and Father Richard Sitzmann, chaplain at Mercy assisted the bishop.

Pope John Paul II introduced the celebration of the World Day of the Sick on Feb. 11 - the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes - in 1992. The annual celebration gives people a chance to pray for and deepen their solidarity with the sick and injured among them. The pope had requested that the focus of this year's celebration of World Day of the Sick be on mental health and human dignity.

John Brehany, director of mission services and ethics at Mercy, pointed out that the sacrament of the sick is not just a "last blessing" given to people as they are dying, but rather it is given to people who are seriously ill to help strengthen them spiritually.

"World Day of the Sick reminds people to prayer for the sick and remember the sick," he said. "And here at Mercy where we see the sick everyday, it is really nice to have the bishop come down and make a special visit as the visible leader of the church in Sioux City."

One woman from Minneapolis attended the prayer service for her mother. Her mother, Virginia Mackovets of Pocahontas, a patient at Mercy, asked her to attend in her place.

"It was a healing. It's almost like you are free," said Joan Poppen, who felt it personally as well as for her mother.

This observance also gave people in the healthcare profession a chance to reflect on their vocation in the healing ministry.

Mary Hanus, a nurse aid, liked that the fact that prayers were also offered for the healthcare workers.

"It was nice to be included," she said. "We need all of the help we can get."

Hanus, a parishioner at Cathedral, said it also was a good reminder that "taking care of the sick is my calling."

Benita Williams, a parishioner at St. Boniface in Sioux City, who volunteers at the hospital as a Eucharistic minister found the service to be very meaningful.

"I felt it was a very moving, spiritual service. I was very honored to be able to participate," said Jill Slaughter, a nurse manager, who is a member of Nativity Parish in Sioux City. "It is very moving when you see people who are sick come down, knowing they are really on the healing powers that are available through this sacrament."

As a healthcare worker, she was also moved in knowing that prayers were offered for the healthcare workers.