“Humility draws God down to you. Confidence exalts you … and brings you nearer to His Sacred Heart.” – Blessed Maria Theresia Bonzel
CROWN POINT – Administration and staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point formally invited God, the Father, and His Son Jesus to watch over their life, including their life at work, during an enthronement prayer service conducted on June 3 in the hospital chapel.
Sister Petra Nielsen, OSF, vice president of mission integration, explained that it is common for Franciscan Health to conduct a Sacred Heart Workplace Enthronement in its hospitals in Northern Indiana.
“It’s putting it under the protection of the Heart of Christ, His protection,” she said. “It’s acknowledging that He's the true leader of our health system and that He has us in His merciful, sacred heart.”
As the healthcare network was devoting many of its other hospitals to the Sacred Heart, the new Crown Point location remained under construction. It was in the midst of transitioning from its former downtown location to its new location along I-65, so personnel decided to wait.
When the United States bishops announced they were consecrating the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sister Petra said it served as a reminder. The hospital felt it was a suitable time to conduct the workplace enthronement of its building and staff.
Bishop Robert J. McClory said the Franciscan’s enthronement to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a beautiful tradition that acknowledges what is already the truth, “that we are under care, under the guidance, plunged into the heart of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.”
The bishop also felt it was a particularly appropriate time for the enthronement to take place with the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus approaching on Friday, June 12. He reminded those gathered that all the bishops in the country on the evening of June 11 are scheduled to consecrate the whole nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bishop McClory will then lead the faithful of Northwest Indiana in a consecration specifically for the Diocese of Gary, the following afternoon on June 12.
“We're doing this here because it’s consistent with the vision, values, mission and motivation of the Franciscan sisters and the health care network that serves so faithfully, but we're also doing it in a sense nationwide on the 250th anniversary of the country. We are not just showing who we are individually, but who we are as a people who dedicate ourselves to the Lord.”
Bishop McClory then turned the attention to the Enthronement Covenant Prayer that the Senior Leadership Team would recite together.
“It states that Franciscan Healthcare Crown Point, we're asking for his divine wisdom and guidance in all that we try to accomplish,” he said. “We are publicly recognizing Him and His right to intervene in our lives for our own good. We ask Him to take charge of our affairs, big and small.
He continued, “We do this trusting Him always. We believe that God is our generous provider – a constant partner in all our actions. It's the heart of Jesus that pulls us ever closer to him. It's the heart of Jesus that says, ‘I too have suffered. I too have loved.’”
After the Mass concluded and the enthronement covenant was read aloud, an image of the Sacred Heart painted by a local artist was unveiled near the front of the chapel and blessed by Bishop McClory.
The Franciscan hospital commissioned artist Andrea Bojrab of Fort Wayne to create a painting of the Sacred Heart. For this piece, Bojrab depicted Jesus pointing to his heart with one hand, while the other hand is reaching out.
At the end of the service, hospital staff handed out prayer cards to those in attendance. On the back of the card was printed a prayer shared by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):
“Lord Jesus, You gave your life for us. Your Sacred Heart is ablaze with love. Your hand extends towards me, and towards all, offering love, mercy, and healing. Sacred Heart of Jesus, may your love transform me. Burn away my hesitation that I may become your love and radiate your mercy. Amen.”
Sister Petra noted the prayer references the idea of Christ reaching out, which paired beautifully with the painting and the day’s events.
“Especially in today's world, it’s important to remember that we are under Christ’s Sacred Heart, his merciful heart,” she said. “Our hospital is putting our patients, our staff and everybody in the heart of Christ.”
Bojrab, the sister of Father David Kime, said she felt immense joy being able to help create the image.
“If it touches someone's heart and brings them closer to God, that’s all I want from the painting, just to draw someone into Christ’s sacred heart,” she said.
Bojrab, who recently painted another picture that is displayed in the chapel in Franciscan Health Michigan City, said she enjoys projects like this one, which allows her to spend time with Jesus.
“We have long conversations while I'm painting,” she said. “It's wonderful.”
