Happy Father’s Day to all of our dads—biological and spiritual
Let’s face it—in today’s culture, it’s hard to get encouragement to be a good father. The image of a loving, caring “leader, protector, and provider” is not one that is reinforced in today’s media, television, or films. St. John Paul II reminds us that, “We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures, we are the sum of the Father’s love for us and our real capacity to become the image of His Son Jesus.”
President’s Message—The Heart of a Champion
Many of you saw or read about the New York Knicks winning the NBA championship. Looking at Series MVP Jalen Brunson and his teammates—particularly Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, who were with him at Villanova–one can “scratch beneath the surface” and appreciate the influence of Jalen’s father (and mother) on his development into a talented athlete with a lot of “heart.” At Villanova, one of coach Jay Wright’s “Leadership Secrets” was to foster among the men of his team a deep sense of family, which stemmed from his enforcement a concept he called Radical Status Equality.
“In an era of “one-and-done” divas, Wright’s program operated on a counter-intuitive rule: while roles vary by skill, human status remains identical. From the National Player of the Year to the last person on the bench, every individual is held to the same behavioral standard. This equality isn’t a coaching whim; it is rooted in the university’s Augustinian motto: Veritas, Unitas, Caritas (Truth, Unity, and Love). This institutional core explains why the program functions as a family. By decoupling a performer’s scoring average from their standing in the community, Wright fosters deep ownership and accountability. In his locker room, “playing for those who came before us” is an act of Unity (Unitas) that prevents the erosion of trust common in star-heavy environments.
“Everyone’s role is different, but their status is the same.”
(excerpt from “Lessons from Legends: How Jay Wright Built Villanova’s Elite Culture,” June 8, 2026, https://mybballsoul.blogspot.com/2026/06/lessons-from-legends-how-jay-wright.html, accessed 6/15/2026)
So, let’s celebrate the men of our lives—our fathers, mentors, those who model excellence, blended with integrity, humility and love. For those who want to read a little more, here’s a link to a great “top 10 list” of things that make for a great Catholic dad: https://catholicreview.org/10-things-that-make-for-a-great-catholic-dad/
Survey Coming soon on CME offerings for Guild members: please respond!
One of the priority areas for our Guild is to provide continuing medical education opportunities that allow us to learn from each other and to stay current with ongoing and emerging issues in medicine, ethics, and health care delivery. We’ve designed a 3-to-4 minute survey to ask for your input. Please be on the lookout next week for a separate email with a link to the survey. Those who complete the survey are eligible for a chance on a $50 gift card!
Consecration of the United States to the Sacred Heart of Jesus kicks off National Eucharistic Pilgrimage—arrives in Philadelphia on July 2nd
As you know, the United States Bishops recently dedicated our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. At this time in history, it is both fitting and prescient to ask Our Lord to guide us in the ways of His Heart—aflame with love, reaching out regardless of the cost, willing to suffer through (and conquer) iniquity and indifference—emphasizing truth blended with charity, while walking together in humility, not selfish pride.
Please join members of your parish, our St. John Neumann CMA Guild, and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in the activities between July 2nd and July 5th for at least one activity, as outlined on the Archdiocese’s Schedule of Events.
July 2nd: Reception of the Most Blessed Sacrament to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia
July 3rd: Day of Service Flowing from the Graces of the Eucharist (by county)
July 4th: Day of Adoration and Prayer for the United States of America, featuring Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, showings of the film Cabrini, Reconciliation and Mass at the Cathedral Basilica
July 5th: Conclusion of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage with Eucharistic Procession from the Cathedral Basilica to the National Shrine of St. John Neumann. More details here: https://archphila.org/underGod/.
Quick updates
It’s not too late to DONATE to support local students attending the CMA Bootcamp at Mundelein Seminary next week. Visit https://neumannguild.org/donate/. Your generous donation is greatly appreciated!
Updates from the National CMA are available directly from the neumannguild.org site. Visit https://neumannguild.org/cma-national-feed-latest-updates-news/ for the latest feature articles from the CMA Pulse and Embers newsletter.
Meet the Board
Mary & Joe have been long-time Board members and Officers of the St. John Neumann Guild. They reside In Wilmington, DE.
Mary McCrossan MD
Joe Schrandt MD
Mary is a family physician and a mother of three adult children, whom she raised with her husband Joseph Schrandt. MD. Dr McCrossan first became aware of the CMA more than 20 years after medical school, as she researched Catholic teaching while serving as a children’s weekend religious education instructor. This happy discovery led to spiritual and professional growth, including increased work in pro-life activity and acquiring expertise in fertility awareness-based methods for women’s health.
Dr. McCrossan has practiced in the St. Francis Wound Center in Wilmington, DE and also guides Family Medicine residents in the clinical office as a preceptor. She is finishing up her term as President of the Medical Executive Committee at St. Francis Hospital of Trinity Health.
Joe was born and raised in eastern Iowa, graduated from University of Minnesota Medical School and completed neurology residency at the University of Iowa. After a year of epilepsy fellowship in Minneapolis, he practiced general adult neurology there for five years before moving to Wilmington, Delaware along with Mary and their three children. Prior to his recent retirement, he practiced neurology for several decades along with his two partners and two midlevel practitioners.
Dr. Schrandt joined the CMA and completed the certification course in Health Care Ethics from the National Catholic Bioethics Center in 2012. He has served as Delaware state director for the CMA since 2016.
In her role as Secretary, Mary has assisted with summaries of our Board meetings (made ever easier with a little help from AI). She also files our annual corporate registration with the State of Pennyslvania. Joe has worked steadily with our Guild Presidents to record our sources of income and expenses. While it’s a simple spreadsheet exercise, Joe’s attentiveness to thanking donors and to maintaining accurate balances through our busy times of the year has been exemplary. Mary and Joe have also been generous supporters of our Guild’s activities throughout the Delaware Valley and extending to Wilmington, DE, and they have been great at encouraging students and residents to take advantage of our Guild’s online resources and events sponsored through the year.
A Fond Farewell—and an ask to continue their tradition
Now both retired, Joe and Mary will be moving out to Kansas City later this calendar year so they can be closer to their children and grands. They (and we) would like to invite a couple of current members to “step up” to the Board to continue their efforts as cheerleaders and stewards of our Mission. Discerning that you want to help? Please email Bob Motley at: president@neumannguild.org
