As I mentioned on Monday, we celebrated the feast of Saint Catherine of Siena at the New York City parish under her patronage with a solemn Mass offered by His Eminence, Donald Cardinal Wuerl, STD, archbishop of Washington. The Saint Catherine of Siena Award was bestowed on the Cardinal honoring him for his lifetime work for Catholic health care as was Sister Elaine Goodell, PBVM, for her 27 years as a Catholic chaplain at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital. It is noteworthy that Sister Elaine began her ministry as a hospital chaplain at the age of 60 following a sabbatical from teaching music. This liturgical and professional observance was the Sixth Annual ceremony established by the Dominican Friars Healthcare Ministry of New York.
With a million dollar gift to the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception (Dominican House of Studies) of Washington, DC, the Dominican Friars of Saint Catherine of Siena Priory (NYC) established the “Saint Catherine of Siena Chair of Catholic Health Care Ethics” with a bold plan for formation, education, and outreach for pastoral ministers, clergy and laity alike. The first holder of the Chair is Brother Ignatius Perkins, OP.
Two media outlets have the story: Ron Lajoie writing for Catholic New York and NET TV.