Opening Prayer
Lord, you invite all who are burdened to come to you. In that spirit, we come in prayer asking for your healing touch on those in our Catholic health care family who suffer from injury, illness or other heavy burdens. Touch their hearts with your courage and infinite love. Teach them to reach out to you in their need, and help them to lead others to you by their example. Bring them health in body and spirit that they may serve you with all their strength. Touch gently their lives, which you have created for your glory, now and forever. Amen.

Reading – Mark 6:53-56
After crossing the lake, Jesus and the disciples came ashore at Gennesaret and tied up their boat there. No sooner had they stepped out of the boat than people recognized Jesus. The crowds started hurrying about the countryside and brought the sick on stretchers wherever Jesus went. Wherever he appeared—in villages, in towns, or in the countryside—they laid down the sick in the open places, begging him to let them touch just the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched Jesus got well.

Prayers of Petition
Leader: Let us bring before our compassionate God the needs of our Catholic health care community. Our response to these petitions will be: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 1: God of Compassion, we pray for all those in need of recovery from illness or injury. Grant them your power, which turns sickness into health and suffering into joy. We pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 2: God of Compassion, we pray for all who are suffering in our Catholic health care family, those we are aware of and those whose suffering is known to you alone. Grant them mercy and relief, forbearance and renewed life. We pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 3: God of Compassion, we pray for family and friends. Grant them resilience and gentleness, patience and faithfulness. Let their hope be in you, and by their ministry of love let your love be known. We pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Reader 4: God of Compassion, we pray for those who serve to heal others. Bless and guide physicians, nurses, technicians, and all others who work for healing. Grant them wisdom and skill, compassion and patience. We pray.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

Closing Prayer
O God, you are the source of health and healing. May your hand rest upon all in our Catholic health care community in need of your healing touch. May the life-giving powers of your touch flow into every cell of their bodies and into the depths of their souls, cleansing, purifying, restoring them to wholeness and strength for service to your Kingdom. And may your blessing come upon them and remain with them always in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.