ARCHBISHOP GOMEZ TO CELEBRATE FIRST WHITE MASS FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AT THE CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS
October 24, 2013  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Local Dr. Eli Ayoub will be honored with national award for his longtime commitment to

the underserved in the U.S., Syria and other Middle Eastern countries

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Mission Doctors Association will host the annual White Mass in

recognition of Catholic health care professionals, for the first time at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the

Angels (555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, 90012) on Oct. 27 at 3:30 p.m. Archbishop José H. Gomez will

be the principal celebrant.

The White Mass — a tradition in the United States since the late 1800s — is a special celebration to

acknowledge the unique contributions made by all Catholic health care professionals, and takes its name

from the white garb most commonly worn by those in the medical field. Locally, the White Mass is held

near the feast of the apostle St. Luke, the patron of health care providers. It has become an occasion to

honor those in Southern California and throughout the U.S. for exemplary service.

“The White Mass warms our hearts as we thank God for the presence among us of our dedicated

and committed health care professionals, doctors, nurses, physical therapists, lab technicians,

 hospice workers and all who continue the healing ministry of Jesus,” said Sister Angela Hallahan,

Director of Health Affairs for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. “It is they who enflesh that message

Pope Francis has given: In ministry we must accompany people and we must heal their wounds.”

This year the Mission Doctors Association will recognize the work of Dr. Eli Ayoub as the 2013 Catholic

Doctor of the Year. He will be presented with the national “World of Difference Award” at the end of

Mass. For decades Dr. Ayoub, the first local recipient of the national award, has been serving

underprivileged communities in the U.S., including the poorest neighborhoods in Southeast Los Angeles.

For the past 26 years, the physician of Lebanese descent has provided medical missionary service through

a mobile medical clinic in the Middle East in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

Dr. Ayoub also organizes annual health fairs for three churches in Los Angeles and Orange County from

his medical practice at St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood. His five children have also joined medical

and dental missions in Mexico and Central and South America.

The Mission Doctors Association was founded in 1959 to support the work of Catholic physicians and

their families serving in mission hospitals and clinics. For more information visit: www.MissionDoctors.org 

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