Pontifical Mission Societies

Archdiocese of New Orleans

Pinterest YouTube Phone Email

Christ the Healer

Christ the Healer Medical Mission
- Our Mission
  
  Mission Statement
  
  Christ the Healer is an ecumenical mission program of the Archdiocese of New Orleans called to serve the people of Nicaragua. In the Name of Jesus Christ, it aims to improve the quality of life and physical healing in a partnership of ministry. Employing a holistic approach to mission, it seeks to develop an appreciation for the people and culture of Nicaragua. Christ the Healer provides an opportunity to evangelize through the same service from the people of Nicaragua.
  
  Celebrating 30 Years in Mission
  
  CTH was initiated by then, Monsignor Gregory Aymond, director of Propagation of the Faith for New Orleans, and Sister Mary Bertilla McNeeley, MSC (1992/93). Sister Bertilla spent two years in Granada setting up the foundation for the medical mission teams. In 1996, Sister Renee Daigle, MSC, spent six months setting up a program for street kids known as Los Niños. These two incredible Marianite sisters served CTH paving the way for others to serve those who were most in need. The dream to have others follow in their footsteps has lasted for 30 years. They also served as the inspiration to beginning the Lay Missioner Program in 2011.
  
  Solidarity with the Diocese of Granada
  
  First and foremost we are humbled by the continued invitation of the bishops of Granada for welcoming us to the diocese. The mission of Christ the Healer (CTH) will always strive to support the pastoral/social ministry of the diocese. This spirit is fostered through our mutual desire to work ardently for God’s Kingdom. We were very grateful that CTH has now become an official program of Catholic Charities of Granada (CCG).
  
  CTH has always served in Granada with the invitation of the local bishop, but for the first 25 years it was the Association Cristo Sana (ACS) in Granada that made all the local arrangements and oversaw the clinics. We will always be grateful to the wonderful ladies (angels) who participated in this association. As all good things come to an end as we age, in January, 2018 we moved under the umbrella of CCG.
  
  Mission Trips
  
  The mission trips offer wonderful opportunities for physicians and dentists to offer basic consultative services; we have 2 dental clinics with a total of 6 chairs and a portable setup for dentists; we have an eye clinic with two chairs and a portable clinic for optometrists and a medical clinic with full pharmacy. Due to the political situation now, working with the hospital for surgeries is no longer possible. Under the leadership of ACS we spent most of the time serving in the clinics. Now under CCG we are visiting much more the outlying areas throughout the diocese. With this new model we are also working much more closely with our clinic doctors and staff, and volunteers from the local parishes.
  
  We offer the opportunity for nurses, medical assistants and pharmacists to serve alongside the physicians and dentists. We welcome a small number of non-medical people to join us on each mission. There is usually a designated trip coordinator and spiritual director on each trip.
  
  Two major events have curtailed the number of trips per year. Katrina in 2005 reduced the number from 4 to 3. In April, 2018 Nicaragua went through a time of violent political persecution; the government also began a repressive campaign against the Catholic Church. It was a year before we could return with a very small group. Deacon Pat Moran committed himself to bring the missionaries back and getting the clinics back up and running as soon as possible. This local crisis just happened to coincide with legally moving the clinics from ACS to CCG. As we may lament the added difficulties of organizing trips during this time, we are well aware that the needs of the people are now greater than ever.
  
  Getting Involved
  
  If you are interested in getting involved, financially supporting or receiving more information, please contact Christ the Healer at: 504-527-5774 or e-mail: [email protected].
- On-Going Clinics
  
  Many missionary doctors through the years have expressed concern for the need of more ongoing medical care beyond the mission trips. The first to be established was a dental clinic, which was followed by a women´s clinic in Fatima parish and then a second dental clinic was opened in El Carmen parish. When the original funding for the woman´s clinic was spent, we made the decision to continue funding the clinic as a general medicine clinic. We have a fully functional eye clinic at Cristo Sana House. This clinic is used during trips and other special programs.
  
  At the present time, Dr. Meyling is the general medicine and pharmacy physician; the dentists are Drs. Mario, Jorge and Anabel. There are two dental assistants, two receptionists, maintenance/driver and an accountant. I am continually affirmed by the commitment and dedication of all the staff. They witness a great love for the mission and the people they serve. We are very blessed indeed to have their collaboration.
  
  A strong part of our mission has been to work in collaboration with local medical personnel. We have had good relationships with the hospital over the years, for which we are grateful. However, the doctors and dentists in the clinics have given us the best opportunity to serve in the spirit of collaboration.
  
  The ideal vision for the clinics would be that they are self-sustaining in terms of salaries and ordinary expenses. The vision would have the funds CTH raises to support the structural and equipment needs of the clinics and new outreaches in areas outside Granada. We are in the discerning stage of choosing between a vision of opening clinics in other areas or developing a mobile-clinic. To move forward with either expansion we are in need of greater funding.
- As the reputations of the dental clinics grow in the communities they serve, we believe that they will be self-sustaining soon. However, the necessity for new equipment and its up keep in a dental clinic is substantial. The medical clinic and pharmacy continue to grow. The patient receives up to two prescriptions with the consult fee. Even with buying the medicine from the labs, the fee doesn’t always cover the cost of the medicine. With the present crisis, it is the best we can do.
  
  During 2019, the Fatima medical clinic treated 4,917 patients, the Fatima dental clinic provided service for 2,266 patients, and in the first five months of operation the El Carmen dental clinic 310 patients were served. The numbers in all the clinics continue to grow, especially in the El Carmen dental clinic. In 2019 a donation of $50,425 for normal expenses and improvements was sent, the clinics took in $33,410 in fees and the total expenses were $77,693.
- Hogar de Ninos
  
  Los Niños
  After the founding of a day center for the street kids, Sr. Renee was followed by the Daughters of Charity, who founded Los Niños home for boys. After many years the Brothers of Charity took over the running of the home.
  
  They were also working with street kids in Granada at Jésus Amigo. Presently Jésus Amigo is at the Los Niños site where boys recently off the street or with addiction issues are living.
  
  Their site in Granada, Casa Amanecer now boards boys who are more stable, but due to family issues are in need of a safe place to live. Both facilities strive to work with the families leading them to create more stable homes. Both facilities also offer daytime programs of tutoring, meals and family dynamics for local children and families. At present there are about 40 boys boarding and 150 participating in the daytime programs.
  
  We have continued to support this mission through the years. At present CTH sends $6,000 each year to the Brothers of Charity and we try to spend time with them during the trips.