Holy Spirit has chosen Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic (OLGFC) in Worthington, MN as the focus of our Advent project. What started almost ten years ago as a Sunday afternoon visit to see a few “very ill parishioners” without access to health care has grown to serve 1,500 patients over ten years.

The clinic serves the uninsured in the southwest corner of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.  Nobles County is one of the poorest counties in the state of Minnesota. Over 70% of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish are immigrants. When Fr. James Callahan was transferred there 10 years ago, his parishioners told him their greatest need was health care. Most used the Emergency Room as their primary care provider and few followed up with the prescriptions written. Food for their family was a higher priority and understanding of their diagnosis or treatment plan was minimal.

From that humble beginning when Fr. Jim invited his friend, Dr. Dave Plevak, to visit, Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic has grown to serve over 1,500 patients with quality,  compassionate, and culturally sensitive free health care. Many of the 200+ volunteer providers, interpreters and supporters are from Rochester, including our own parish. Less than three hours from Rochester, a day at OLGFC can feel like a mission visit to another country.

COVID-19 Update: 
The incidence of Covid-19 in this community was the highest “per capita” in the USA at one point this spring. From the outbreak at the local meat packing plant, the virus spread quickly, partially due to the number of persons living in one household. The phone of OLGFC rang non-stop to triage patients for testing and care.

Despite great economic adversity, multiple co-morbidities, and a high incidence of Covid-19 among the patients, there has not yet been one death among the patients of Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic. The patients are being seen by local volunteers, at the weekly follow-up clinic, and through tele-medicine for both physical and emotional needs.
 

Testimonials

“Our Lord Jesus identifies himself as the Good Samaritan, who takes care of the most needy and vulnerable among us. Likewise, Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic is an essential service for those who might otherwise be left by the wayside. I fully support the work and ministry of the Clinic.”

Most Rev. John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona-Rochester

“I was very pleased to hear that Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic was chosen for the Holy Spirit Advent project this year. Dr. Dave Plevak and I were in the same Deacon formation class so I have been following its growth from the beginning. He and Fr. Jim Callahan are helping guide and fulfill a great need providing quality health care to those who do not have the means to otherwise receive it.
I strongly recommend supporting this project. It is a great chance to answer Jesus’ call to provide for those among us who need a helping hand.  Many lives have been improved and saved because of the services provided by Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic.” 

Deacon Dick Quinn
 

"It has been such an amazing privilege to volunteer at Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic in Worthington. I went the first time with the intention of 'being useful” in any way I could, but very quickly learned that I would be the one on the receiving end.  I was put to work as a Chaplain (my professional role at Mayo Clinic), accompanied by an interpreter. People were so grateful for someone to listen to their stories of suffering and struggle, but also for someone to listen to their deep, abiding faith, and to help them draw closer to God in their present situations. I felt as if I met Jesus in each encounter, and left OLGFC with a new sense of reality, inspiration, and gratitude. I am so happy that Holy Spirit is choosing to support the meaningful ministry of OLGFC this Advent. The Clinic is staffed by seasoned physicians, nurses, other medical providers, medical students, interpreters, and others who so generously give their time, expertise and care. I am one who has easy access to affordable health care, and at OLGFC I learned firsthand that this is not the case for everyone, even those with serious illnesses like leukemia and other cancers, diabetes, congestive heart failure, depression, and/or COVID-19. May you be blessed as you prayerfully consider making a contribution." 

Kate Piderman, Chaplain at Mayo Clinic 
 

“The place God calls you to be is the place where your deep gladness – JOY – and the world’s deep hunger meet.”  (Frederick Buchner)

"I have been privileged to serve as a translator for this clinic and it has been an incredible gift for me.  This profound experience has enabled me to touch, and be touched, by the acute suffering that some of our Spanish-speaking immigrant brothers and sisters endure. It is to experience that “to love another person is to see the face of God.”  It is feeling something of the world’s deep hunger and at the end of the day, knowing deep gladness. It is remembering the words of St. Bonaventure, a Franciscan theologian: “How we choose and what we choose, makes a difference; first, in what we become by our choices, and second, in what the world becomes by our choices.”   

And you? What are you choosing??

Sr. Tierney Trueman, OSF
 

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You Can Help!

Pray:

This Advent, you are invited to pray for the work of Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic. Prayer cards are available in the narthex after Mass, the Parish Office, Holy Spirit School and the Faith Formation program. Please call the parish office if you would like one mailed to you.

Pray for the patients facing COVID-19 and the lingering effects of the disease. Pray for the volunteer providers who see the patients. Pray for the patients who have immigrated to escape violence in their home country and are working to build a safer place for their family.

Gift:

You are also invited to make an Advent offering to help the patients at Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic. Your gift will provide essential tests, prescriptions and medical care to the uninsured.

You may make a gift through Holy Spirit's online giving (select Advent Project: Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic) or you may write a check to Holy Spirit with “Advent Project” in the memo line. This can be dropped in the collection box, mailed to Holy Spirit or dropped off at the parish office.

ONLINE GIVING

Thank you! Your gift is appreciated and you will be a Hero of this pandemic!

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of Our Lady of Guadalupe Free Clinic is to provide healthcare for those who are medically uninsured.  Through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we strive to address the medical needs of the people of the Worthington area in a manner that is spiritually dynamic and culturally sensitive.