December 2, 2004

Ubi Caritas Service - Blessing of Vocation and a Litany of Healing

Helping Hands for Sacred Vocations

“When you where small your mother, father and grandparents hands cared for you and nurtured you. Now as an adult your hands bring healing and caring to others.” These were words spoken by the Reverends Susan Kennard and Ben Alford as part of a service of Blessing of Vocation and a Litany of Healing. Volunteers and staff of Ubi Caritas - a healing ministry participated in the service in December. The Beaumont Ministry is an on going effort of local Episcopal congregations, Episcopal Health Charities and the Diocese of Texas to provide health, healing and education to low income and at risk families in the community.

The Executive Director of Ubi Caritas heard about a Blessing of Hands service performed by Chaplain Randall Trego at St. Luke’s Community Medical Center – The Woodlands and asked Susan Kennard to perform a similar service as part of the sixth anniversary of the Ubi Caritas’ Family Medical Clinic ministry.

Susan Kennard, associate at St. Mark’s-Beaumont asked for a written service from Trego, who explained that this was an oral tradition passed from one group to another.

A dozen staff and twenty volunteers took part in two services helping to recognize that each of us share a special calling in our vocations and volunteer service. The individuals who participated expressed how much taking the time to reflect moved them and helped them reconnect with their calling to serve.

In the hurried pace of our work lives, it is essential to set aside a time to ask God’s blessings on our vocation and to recognize that it is only with his help that we are able to share another’s burden. Our ministry is a healing place and it is important to feel God’s presence so that we may share that blessing with others.

(Pictured: The Rev. Susan Kennard & Volunteer Mary Sue Williams)