Digital Marian Helper Spring_2018

want religion brought up at all. They argue that that’s the job of the chaplain. But nurses need to care for all aspects of their patients’ wellbeing, including their spiritual health. Our Catholic nurses constantly face ethical dilemmas at work. Many Catholic hospitals and clinics, for example, offer reiki and yoga as treatments. We are encouraging Catholic hospitals to inform patients about the potentially negative spir- itual effects of these practices and to make sure that patients understand the Church’s views. [Reiki is forbidden by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.] I met a doctor from Austria who was talking to one of his patients about spiritual issues. A nurse overheard his conver- sation and reported him to the board of directors. He almost lost his job. Catholics around the world are being stifled by secular policies. At the same time, our culture desperately needs God. Last year, 501 people in my diocese alone died from a drug over- dose. Every day, 23 veterans commit suicide. While NACN- USA advocates in Washington, D.C., to address these issues, we also help nurses deal with these problems locally. What attracts healthcare professionals to your organi- zation? Our Western society is a mess. Bioethics as practiced today was not created for determining right versus wrong, but to achieve the “greater good.” Some in our society tell us that we have the right to happiness even if we pursue it by immoral actions. As a result, our country tragically aborts hundreds of thousands of babies every year. Nurses in healthcare and at universities are overwhelmed by our culture’s flawed ethics. They are attracted to our orga- nization because the Church’s views on ethics are clear and consistent. Through promoting natural law, which runs parallel to the Church’s teaching, we have been able to help healthcare professionals make a positive impact on our society. How does NACN-USA spread the message of God’s mercy? In the workplace, nurses have the opportunity to witness daily to their faith and tell everyone about the mercy of God. Nurses deal with people who are in a very vulnerable state. Our organization helps nurses know how to serve our patients well and lead them to health and holiness. One nurse in our organization, for example, has made it a policy within her Catholic hospital to place prayercards on the bedside of all the patients. With our support and guidance, our nurses are not afraid to offer those who are ill a chance to see a priest for Confession o r Anointing of the Sick. They are not afraid to tell patients going off to surgery that they are praying for them and that God is with them. — Marc Massery I n brief Here are a couple of Marian Helpers’ responses to our “Pray the Rosary Daily” initiative: As Hurricane Irma approached the Gulf Coast last summer, the forecast near my son’s home outside of Fort Myers, Florida, was dire. They predicted flooding that would have put his home completely underwater. My son, who is in his early 40s, felt terribly sad. I suggested that we pray the Rosary together. Immediately after we prayed the Rosary, his countenance changed. He became more cheerful. Moments later, the storm changed course, passing east of his home. There was no flooding, and his home was spared. I claim a miracle and credit the intercession of our Blessed Mother! The biggest miracle is that my son, who had been ambivalent about his faith, prom- ised to make a novena to the Immaculate Heart in thanksgiving that his home was spared. Samuel U. Orlando, Florida My father had been diagnosed with con- gestive heart failure at the same time that my brother was diagnosed with cancer. I prayed three 54-day Rosary novenas in succession for God’s will to be done. I also prayed for my brother and his wife to return to the Church before he passed. During those 162 days of prayer, I was met with many challenges, in- cluding a house fire on day 157. Thankfully, Mary protected us from harm. My father ended up dying from his illness, but he passed away peacefully. Most miracu- lously, my brother received the Anointing of the Sick and the Apostolic Pardon 22 hours before he died. He, too, passed away peace- fully as I prayed th e Divine Mercy Chaplet by his side. But Mary wasn’t finished. On the day of my brother’s funeral, my sister- in-law went to Confession and received Communion, returning to the Church. Mary is faithful. Margaret W. Ann Arbor, Michigan M arian H elper  • S pring 2018   • marian.org 5 MH