Photos by James A. McBride
Right, Dr. Gerald Burke, president of the South Jersey Catholic Medical Association, addresses those gathered at the White Mass before presenting the St. Luke awards. Top left, Msgr. John H. Burton presents the St. Luke award to Dr. Claudia M. Petruncio, one of four individuals honored. The annual White Mass, celebrated this year Oct. 13 in the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, honors all who provide health care within the Diocese of Camden.
The Diocese of Camden’s 15th annual White Mass was celebrated Oct. 13 in the chapel of Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center, Camden.
The annual Mass for healthcare workers recognized four individuals for their service to Catholic health care with the presentation of the St. Luke Award: Dr. William J. DeLiberis, a member of the medical staff of Bishop McCarthy Residence, Vineland, and a permanent deacon serving in healthcare ministry; Dr. Claudia M. Petruncio, board-certified in internal medicine, a medical consultant for the behavioral health unit at Kennedy Hospital, and medical director for Lighthouse Hospice; Dr. Joseph W. Sokolowski, Jr., retired U.S. Navy Captain, Medical Corps, and clinical professor of medicine at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital; and Dr. Edward Swibinski, of Cooper Ambulatory Care, Inc.
Msgr. John H. Burton, pastor of the Christ the Good Shepherd Parish in Vineland, was the celebrant. The keynote speaker was Dr. Thomas S. Cavalieri, dean of the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Each year, the White Mass is scheduled on a Sunday near the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist, who was a physician according to tradition.