Medical Professionals Gather for a Day of Retreat
March 9, 2025
By Jeanine Morelli M.D.
The Manhattan Guild, Long Island Guild and the prospective Giuseppe Moscati Guild from northern NJ cohosted a half day retreat on Saturday February 15th at the Thomas Berry Retreat Center in Jamaica Queens. The retreat day drew nearly 30 attendees including physicians and students.
The day began with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass followed by a Holy Hour and confession and the veneration of St Alloysius Gonzaga relic. Guest speakers included Fr Columba Thomas, O.P., Sr. Veronica from the Sisters of Life and Dr. Richard Watson, a CMA past president (1998-1999).
Fr. Columba reflected on the healing power of the Eucharist and his experience bringing the Eucharist to the sick. He shared how he needed to overcome many hospital obstacles like noise, beeping IVs and the food tray arriving while he was there, as well as physical difficulties like dry mouth and dysphagia. He also explained how patients can inspire and teach us humility.
One patient, who Fr. Columba visited, would say aloud three times after receiving Holy Communion –“Sacrament Most Holy, Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment thine!” Inspired by this act of faith, Fr. Columba now prays the same prayer after he receives Holy Communion.
Father took his name, Columba, due to the spiritual writings from Blessed Columba Marmion. You can learn more about him in Biography of Blessed Columba Marmion by Mark Tierney and his work entitled Christ in His Mysteries.
Dr. Richard Watson is a retired urologist and related that there are many procedures in his field that can cause a physician moral harm. He noted that being nonjudgmental does not mean showing a lack of judgement. He stated that his guardian angel as well as reading spiritual books by Frank Sheed and having fellowship with those who shared his values at CMA helped him to practice ethical, Christ-centered medicine.
Sr. Veronica reminded the medical professionals present to be a light to others and reminded the medical professionals present that they have been chosen by God for this work.
Before joining the Sisters of Life, Sr. Veronica worked in the maternity ward as a nurse. She recalled that while working there, women were routinely referred for tubal ligations after a cesarian section. This was so routine that she did not question it at that time, but she believes that if someone had challenged this practice, it would have sparked a fire in her to do the same.
She states that a virtue a medical professional should cultivate is attentiveness. She gave attendees some practical advice, which include using the gifts of the Catholic Church. These gifts include the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, fasting and retreats. Books that helped Sister in her own faith journey are Into Your Hands Father by Wilfrid Stinisen, My Other Self by Clarence Enzler, A Man for Others by Patricia Treece and I Believe in Love by Jean Elbee.
Peter Morelli, M.D, CMA New York State director, was in attendance and his take home message was: “We offer our gifts to God, and it may not be good enough, but God will multiply these gifts like the loaves and the fishes.” And Fr. Hyacinth Grubb, O.P., chaplain of the Manhattan Guild added that, “not only will He multiply our gifts, but He gives it back to us.”
Dr. Jeanine Morelli is the Guild President of the Long Island Guild.
