Fr Denis Hooper OSB of Glenstal Abbey had an eventful two weeks of ministry in June at St Patrick parish in Miami Beach, where he assisted in Masses and pastoral calls. The highlight of the trip was a chance encounter with a Wexford family on holiday, who delivered a premature baby at Miami Beach’s Mount Sinai Medical Center.
Fr Hooper was notified about the family through a Mass server at St Patrick Catholic Church who happened to work as a postnatal consultant as well. He then made visits to the hospital to support the family and baby, who was born three months early.
Speaking to The Irish Catholic, Fr Hooper praised the medical care at Mount Sinai, saying “There couldn’t have been a better city in the world for a premature baby to be born.” He noted how quickly the labour progressed: “Within five minutes of the family arriving at the hospital the baby was incubated.”
Fr Hooper reported that the family and baby returned to Wexford at the beginning of August and are healthy and well. “Obviously he’s a real fighter … it was wonderful to be there with them,” said Fr Hooper.
