-
St. Raphael’s Guild – A Brief History
With episcopal approval and support from Bishop Dennis Schnurr, St. Raphael’s Guild became a chartered guild of the Catholic Medical Association in August 2008. Its founding officers were Drs. Timothy Egan, President, Timothy Kleinschmidt, Vice President, and Michael Maurice Messer, Secretary/Treasurer. Founding members were Drs. Tom Shuey, Tom Nelson, Gordon Harvieux, Dan Skorich, and Kevin Stephen. The inaugural meeting of the guild took place on September 17, 2008 at St. Raphael's Church in Canosia, MN. Our chaplin was Rev. Dale Nau, pastor of St. Raphael's Church.
St. Raphael’s subsequently experienced significant growth in membership and reached nearly 30 members making it one of the largest chartered guilds in the United States. Because of this growth, application was made with the IRS for classification as a not-for-profit entity under paragraph 501 (c) (3) of the tax code. This was granted in May of 2009.
The guild’s name was proposed by our ophthalmologists in recollection the angel Raphael’s curing of the blind Tobit in the book that bears his name.
In 2010, the guild helped sponsor the first annual White Mass for healthcare workers celebrated by Bishop Paul Sirba. Each White Mass has been followed by a dinner and guest speakers including Bishop Sirba himself, Dr. William Toffler from the Oregon Health and Science University, John Brehany, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Catholic Medical Association, and Hiliary Byrnes, Counsel for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In 2013, St. Raphael’s Guild initiated a new page in its history by beginning a healthcare professional’s formation program with the goal of helping them advance in their spiritual and professional lives by emulating Christ, the Physician. This program involves the celebration of the Mass for both members and spouses, fellowship and dinner, and a didactic presentation from visiting lecturers on medical bioethics, Church history, spiritual formation and direction, and other topics.
- Deacon Tim Egan, January 2014
2012: St. Raphael’s was recipient of the Outstanding Guild Award by the national Catholic Medical Association.
September/October 2013: Fr. Nau was reassigned and Fr. Peter Muhich assumed the role of our chaplain.
February 11, 2014: St. Raphael's Guild launched its website - www.duluthcathmed.org
May 7, 2014: St. Raphael's Guild moved its meeting site from St. Raphael's Church in Canosia, MN to The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Duluth. The move was made to provide an improved meeting space for our growing needs, as well as to follow our chaplain - Fr. Muhich, pastor at the Cathedral.
June 5, 2016: Began charging Local Dues to our members, as we were no longer receiving a portion of the dues paid to the national CMA.
May 4, 2020: Fr. Peter Muhich received the call to be Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota.
July 9, 2020: Our Chaplain, Fr. Peter was ordained Bishop of Rapid City, South Dakota.
August 4, 2020: Fr. Tony Wroblewski accepts role of Chaplain for our Guild.
September 24, 2020: Bishop Muhich presented with the National Catholic Medical Association "Outstanding Guild Chaplain Award"!
September 9, 2022: St. Raphael's Guild Awarded the "Pillars Certificate" in recognition of the Guild's achievement in at least three of the five pillars of an active Guild.
September 9, 2022: University of Minnesota Duluth CMA Student Section was awarded the Outstanding Student Chapter award!
Past Officers
August 2008 – June 28, 2013.
Dr. Timothy Egan - President
Dr. Timothy Kleinschmidt - Vice President
Dr. Michael Maurice Messer - Secretary/Treasurer
June 28, 2013 – May 17, 2017
Dr. Dan Skorich - President
Dr. Mike Messer - Vice President
Dr. Gordy Harvieux - Secretary/Treasurer
May 17, 2017 - May 16 2021
Dr. Dan Skorich - President
Dr. Gordy Harvieux - Vice President
Georgiann Kuberra - Secretary Treasurer
May 16 2021 - Present
Dr. Dan Skorich - President
Dr. Gordy Harvieux - Vice President/Webmaster/Secretary/Treasurer