Welcome Health Care Professionals,
Within the largest and most ethnically diverse archdiocese in the United States, the newly formed Catholic Medical Association Guild of Los Angeles (LA CMA Guild) is in a unique and wonderful position to serve.
In 1771, St. Junípero Serra founded the Mission San Gabriel the Archangel, and in 1781, a group of settlers founded a small town named El Pueblo de Nuestra Señora Reina de Los Angeles, the town of Our Lady Queen of the Angels. Since that time, the city has grown to over 11.5 million people with around 4.4 million Catholics.
CMA’s mission of “forming and supporting current and future physicians to live and promote the principles of the Catholic Faith in the science and practice of medicine” is one which we on the Board of this newly formed Guild are compelled to follow, especially considering what Catholic health care professionals are facing in this state.
As Catholic physicians, we must strive to help our patients heal body, mind and soul if we are to hope for true holistic healing. We are blessed as Catholic physicians to have not only a long tradition of powerful prayers and devotions, but also the sacraments of healing in Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick as well as the powerful sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to recommend to our patients (which do not require co-pays).
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” (Luke 12:48) Being able to work in the medical field is a gift from God, something entrusted to us, which also requires more of us. As such, we aim to “be not afraid” and speak the truth when it is needed, especially when much error in medical practice and ethics is promoted. Many souls depend on our medical judgment regarding these issues, and we should take this responsibility seriously.
Please pray for our Guild. May God grant us the gifts of the Holy Spirit –– wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord –– to aid in CMA’s vision of “inspiring physicians to imitate Jesus Christ.”
Rene Trabanino M.D./Ph.D
President, LA CMA Guild
