Staff from St John of God Health Care this month paused to reflect on the feast day of Saint John of God and his story that the Australian health care provider continues today in delivering the healing Mission of Jesus.
The 8 March feast day was linked to the Jubilee Year of Mercy and the mercy shown by Saint John of God that continues today at hospitals, pathology and outreach services around Australia and the Asia Pacific.
Each St John of God centre within Perth celebrated the day by holding a special event.
At the new St John of God Midland Public Hospital, Dr Glen Power was commissioned in his role as Chief Executive Officer.
Within St John of God Subiaco Hospital, the entire management team was commissioned and they then served a Spanish paella lunch to all staff working at the hospital.
The Spanish themed luncheon, in recognition of the group’s heritage, was also provided to staff working at St John of God Mt Lawley and Murdoch Hospitals.
At Murdoch Hospital, staff and volunteers were recognised with the presentation of service awards and St John of God Pathology welcomed Sister of St John of God, Sr Teresina, as a special guest.
Cards were also delivered to patients in all hospitals on St John of God Day, as an acknowledgement of the heritage of the service which continues today.
St John of God Health Care Acting Group Director of Mission, Cathy Scott, recounted the story of Saint John of God to staff gathered together in reflection.
“Saint John of God had been confined to the Royal Hospital in Granada, Spain, where he was outraged by how badly patients, less physically able than himself were treated. The floggings and the cold water ‘therapy’ seemed much more than most could bear,” Ms Scott said.
“John spoke out on behalf of the patients, insisting that people be cared for with the respect and dignity due to them as human beings.
“His dream of an alternative, more compassionate way of treating people became the focus of all his energy and game him the courage to work for the betterment of all the patients in the hospital.
“He had discovered a vision of care that was to shape the rest of his life and continues to inform our care at St John of God Health Care.
“Let us insist, as individuals and collectively, to care for people with the respect and dignity due to them as human beings, as Jesus did, as John did.
“This is our story.”