This week our Catholic medical students group brought in a priest and an ER doc to answer questions. I forgot to count how many people came, but I estimate we had almost 20. That's about four times the usual attendance, so I'm pretty excited! There were still a few Catholics in my class who didn't come, though, so there might be room to improve.
I want our group to be a chapter of the Catholic Medical Association - Student Section and am working toward this. Surprisingly, I feel some pressure from our advisors about Catholic identity. The same advisors who said we couldn't host a pro-life Catholic speaker (excuse was being a publicly-funded university system) say that the dues the CMA charges might be too steep for the benefits we gain.
What?
- First of all: grace is priceless. The graces of community (with other Catholic medical professionals) and the merits of others' prayer and sacrifice are beyond purchase. Invisible, but invaluable.
- More earthly now: the Linacre Quarterly is the bomb. It's like the NCBC publications, except medical enough to be fun. Plus, there's other members-only content on the CMA website.
- Also earthly: CMA membership = CMA conference scholarships. And CMA conferences are incredible. Are you going to A Witness to Hope: Medicine and the New Evangelization in 2013?
- And last: what's $45? Sure, membership in lots of other medical associations is free for students, but truly...what's $45? Four days of groceries, tops. So fast for the Fridays in Lent and you've bought yourself a CMA membership.
I took a look at the CMA's website to find out more about it's Student Section (your post made me curious). I found it amazingly supportive (their Executive Board prays daily for all it's student members!)and a sample newsletter I read was just filled with information, encouragement, resources, etc. I certainly see why you wish to work toward having your student group become affiliated. I'll add it to the prayer list! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! Have a blessed Holy Week.
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