Frontline workers lean on Catholic faith while serving during pandemic

As the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalization were rising daily around the nation, dedicated Catholic men and women within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City were serving on the frontlines, helping others, caring for the sick, protecting and serving the communities, and educating students through it all.

While people were told to stay home, these unsung heroes were in the middle of the pandemic every day. Dedicated people such as health care professionals, educators, city workers, law enforcement officers, food suppliers and emergency management teams helped those in need, leaning on their Catholic faith to get them through.

“In the nearly 14 years that I have done this job, I have approached it with God, and unfortunately there was a time I attempted it on my own,” said Lt. Christopher Brugh, of the Yukon Police Department. “What I have learned is this job is far more rewarding and I am far more effective when I do it with God. Saint John Paul II once said, ‘Do not be afraid. Do not be satisfied with mediocrity. Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’”

“Through my faith, I am able to trust in God’s love and presence. I am able to work my hardest day in and day out, knowing God will place me where he needs me that day. If I cast myself into the deep, and open my nets, he will lead me to those in need. There have been many times, especially in this pandemic, when I walked away from a single contact or a single call and said, ‘That moment there was exactly why God placed me here today.’”

Suzanne Clem, the priests’ nurse for the archdiocese, shares with the priests COVID-19 information (prevention, symptoms, treatment) and assists the priests if they have had a potential exposure by finding a testing site, explaining quarantine and checking on them by telephone throughout their illness.

“My faith is an important part of my work. I try to be open to whatever God puts before me each day. During the pandemic, the ways I serve in my work have become different and challenging in order to protect others and myself from exposure to COVID-19. The necessary precautions also have created isolation and loneliness for some, especially those in nursing facilities. This has created more opportunity to say ‘yes’ by reaching out more often and staying more connected. God also reminds me to be gentle, loving and patient with others, and myself, when the challenges of COVID-19 become tiresome.” 

Michelle DeLeon, a labor and delivery nurse at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, said, “Praying helps reduce my anxiety of going to work. On my way to work, I always pray for every patient on our unit and my co-workers. I ask God to keep us all safe and healthy to return home. I pray that my co-workers and I keep giving our best patient care after long and exhausting days. When I feel tension rising in my unit I like to say to my co-workers ‘what would Jesus do?’ I want to make sure I bring the light of God where it is most needed. I always pray that I give my patients and co-workers hope because I feel that God put me in this position to help others in time of need. And, I have faith that the Lord will protect us all.”

The frontline workers also lean on saints for prayers and intersession.

“Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton not only shares her name with our school, but she also is the patron saint of all catholic schools and my patron saint from Confirmation!” said Jenny Lang, a second grade teacher at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School in Edmond. “I continually ask for her intercession, to guide and share my positive outlook with others, and to help community members recognize what a gift it is to be in school during this time. As a teacher there is no way for me to honor God more than to lead and guide children by setting a positive example and helping them learn to turn to God in uncertain times.” 

Lt. Brugh said he leans on Saint Michael the Archangel for prayers and intersession.

“I don’t know a single Catholic police officer who doesn’t have a special love and relationship with Saint Michael. Whether it’s a precious medal they carry, patch that wear on their vest, tattoo they may have or card they keep close. For years I have worn a Saint Michael patch on my vest under my uniform. Every single shift starts with the Saint Michael prayer, followed by a prayer to my patron saint, Saint Anthony of Padua, ‘Help me to see what I need to see, hear what I need to hear and be who I need to be.’ I can’t tell you how many times I have prayed an intercessory prayer to Saint Anthony over and over, sometimes most of a shift looking for someone. Whether it is a suspect, a silver alert person, a runaway ... it’s always the same prayer. When I worked investigations, and I was working crimes against children, sex crimes and Internet crimes against children, I really leaned on intercessory prayers to Saint Michael; prayers to guard my heart and my soul, because I learned quickly those cases really take you to dark places in this world.”  

Residents said having these steadfast men and women on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic gives communities a sense of security and hope.

“I am thankful for the frontline workers for risking their health to help patients and to protect us during this pandemic,” said Gina Muse, parishioner at Holy Family Catholic Church in Lawton.

Sonia Chavez Hastings, a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lawton, also is appreciative of the frontline workers dedication to their community and family.
“Not only are they taking care of their family, but they are taking care of ours too,” she said.

“The pandemic has been so hard on everyone,” said Patricia Bread, a parishioner at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Apache. “I am thankful for all of the workers who are helping us get through it all, especially the elders of our communities.”

Nurse Suzanne Clem added, “I am most thankful for all those who make sacrifices to serve others during this pandemic, especially those who risk exposure during their work and those whose jobs do not allow them to work from home. I’m also thankful for the daily sacrifices everyone makes to help prevent the spread of the virus.”

Lang explained how her second-grade class prays the Rosary once a week for not only the frontline workers, but for all who have been affected by the coronavirus.

“Each week on Fridays, our second-grade class prays the Rosary together. It's such a special time of our week! We go outside by our Mary statue in the courtyard and the children each find a special spot to reflect as we pray. It has been amazing to see how the children gravitate closer to Mary's statue. I'm in absolute awe of the personal relationship each one of them is developing with God and the Blessed Mother.”

Jolene Schonchin is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.