Nearly three years ago, Bishop Robert Gruss began a ministry of healing within the Diocese of Saginaw to make present the love and mercy of the Lord.

And, one year ago, Ascension Michigan donated a gift that would make a dream a reality, expand the Church’s healing presence in the community and continue a legacy to do “God’s work” in Saginaw.

Through the roof medicine

As a medical director and physician with a calling to provide care to people experiencing poverty in Saginaw, Dr. Long realized years ago he could only do so much with his prescription pad.

“I spend a great deal of time working faithfully and diligently, following evidence-based medicine to bring about healing and health in the lives of the patients I see,” Dr. Long said. “Yet, I know there is a hard stop at what ultimately can be accomplished with even the best medication.”

There are many who grow up without the experience of loving relationships, without someone in their corner, and this can result in various degrees of hurt, pain and loneliness. A sense of not being loved can lead to a lack of self-worth and unhealthy habits and behavior patterns.

“Some of this is very deep,” Dr. Long said. “I believe gratitude, hope and love—both giving and experiencing these realities—are a huge part of health and healing. You can’t put these into a capsule. But, you do find them in a relationship with God and in a community of faith.”

Moved by a desire for patients to encounter the Lord’s healing love, Dr. Long found himself drawn to the Gospel story of those who went to great lengths to bring their sick friend to Jesus (Luke 5:17–26). Unable to reach Jesus through the crowd, the friends climbed onto the house’s tiled roof, opened a section and lowered the paralyzed man down before him. Jesus forgave the man’s sins—healing his soul first. Then, revealing God’s desire to heal body and soul, Jesus said, “Rise, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

Dr. Long began to think about how such holistic care could happen in a medical setting.

“So often in our own lives we piecemeal it out,” Dr. Long said. “We think of health in terms of body, and we think of a medical clinic. Or we think of health in terms of soul, and we think of a church. I think within God’ s perspective, those two things don’t need to stay separated, they come together, and health and healing become something of both body and soul.”

What if, Dr. Long wondered, he could find some friends to accompany him, to go to great lengths to bring the sick to Jesus. Friends who would be willing to do “through the roof medicine” in the Cathedral District.

“I called two of my best buddies—Dr. Dan Osborn and Thor Rasmussen—and said, ‘I have this crazy idea. Do you think we could launch a free clinic in Saginaw County?

“I often say that Dr. Toby Long reminds me of George Bailey in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life,’” said Dr. Dan Osborn, Diocese of Saginaw Theologian. “He is one of the most genuine, faith-filled persons I have ever met, and when he shared that God had put it on his heart to start a free medical clinic for the uninsured, it was clear to me that this would be a wonderful work of mercy for our region.”

Evenings of Healing with the Divine Physician

At around the same time that Dr. Long was inviting friends to help him provide “through the roof” medicine to those in need, Bishop Robert Gruss was gathering a team of individuals to assist him with a healing ministry he was beginning in the Diocese of Saginaw to foster encounters with Jesus.

“Healing is the mission of the Church,” Bishop Gruss said. “If we look around us, we see that the world is hurting, and people are losing hope. Jesus desires to heal his people.”

Bishop Gruss—who has been involved in healing and deliverance ministry for decades—wanted anyone in need of the Lord’s healing touch to have the opportunity to come for an evening of praise and worship, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Mass, Eucharistic adoration, and individual prayer ministry.

These “Evenings of Healing with the Divine Physician” began at the Cathedral in 2023 and continue today. Many come seeking physical healing for themselves or someone they love, and many come to receive prayer for emotional and spiritual healing, too.

“What do you want to place on this altar tonight to be united and offered with the sacrifice of Jesus to the Father?” Bishop Gruss asks those present ahead of Mass. “What is your desire from Jesus? Expect healing in whatever way Jesus wants to give it to you. He is here tonight. He is alive. He is present.”

At the end of the evening, volunteers break into teams and individuals can receive prayer ministry.

Dr. Toby Long was invited to attend an early planning meeting with Bishop Gruss after someone on the team learned of his heart for healing. It turned out to be providential.

“When you can feel the Holy Spirit and see the connections, you know there is something going on,” said Dr. Long during the meeting with Bishop Gruss and prayer team members in 2023. “I’m here because I believe I’m being called to open a free medical clinic that can become a place of encounter.”

He shared with Bishop Gruss and those gathered that he even purchased a domain name (a website address) under the name Cathedral Free Clinic.

“Saginaw County is one of the counties in Michigan that does not have a free clinic,” Dr. Long said. “Cabrini Clinic in Detroit was the first free clinic in the United States. There’s a prayer team, and patients encounter Jesus while they are there.”

Dr. Long envisioned something similar in Saginaw and Bishop Gruss could see it, too. He knew right away he would do whatever he could to help bring Cathedral Free Clinic to life in the Diocese of Saginaw. 

An unexpected gift

In 2023, the Bishop’s healing ministry launched, and the Cathedral Free Clinic Board of Directors was established.

Dr. Long volunteered at Evening of Healing events, and Bishop Gruss became a member of the Cathedral Free Clinic Board.

Dr. Long began to learn all there is to know about opening and operating a free clinic.

Bishop Gruss began reaching out to religious communities across the country and around the world asking for prayer.

“This ministry was born out of the prayer of others and a sincere desire to serve the poor, alleviating their suffering, and fostering an encounter with Jesus Christ,” Bishop Gruss wrote. “If you would please consider including the Cathedral Free Clinic in your intercessory prayers, I would be most grateful.”

As great progress was being made, one major question remained. Where would the Cathedral Free Clinic be housed?

Leasing space across from the Cathedral, at Ascension’s Center of Hope building on Emerson Street in Saginaw, seemed to be the best option until news came that Ascension St. Mary’s was being sold.

Then, on May 1, 2024, came an unexpected answer to prayer.

During a phone call with leaders at Ascension Michigan, Bishop Gruss learned Ascension decided to remove the 8,000-square-foot Center of Hope building from its sale to MyMichigan.

“I was overwhelmed,” Bishop Gruss said. “They told me they believe so much in this project they were going to donate the building to the Diocese of Saginaw. In fact, they pulled the building out of the transaction so that they could do this for us.”

Not only did the gift provide space for the ministry, it also would be a way to honor and continue the legacy of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, who founded St. Mary’s Hospital in 1873 in order to “do God’s work” and “bring God to those in need.”

Sister Phyllis Klonowski, OP, a Dominican religious sister, registered pharmacist and faithful volunteer whose life has been dedicated to caring for the poor, said the mission remains the same today.

“Each person needs to know the touch of God,” Sister Phyllis said. “That’s the call, and we have to have the willingness and courage to do that. The Daughters provided the land and the building, the Bishop is backing it, and now, what are we willing to do to help give that witness?”

Community of support

Getting the Cathedral Free Clinic up and running has taken a community. Numerous faithful partners have emerged, and doors continue to open. There is already great cooperation with area healthcare providers, some of whom have provided equipment, and area hospitals have agreed to provide primary lab and X-rays for patients referred by Cathedral Free Clinic.

Transforming the space into a clinic has also been made possible with generous support. Exam rooms, named after the four evangelists, have floor-to-ceiling murals depicting the healing miracles of Jesus, and at the end of the exam room hallway is the St. Raphael Chapel, named after the archangel whose name means “God heals.” All are welcome in the chapel to sit in the presence of the Lord and to receive prayer ministry.

“More than anything, I want people to know Jesus,” Dr. Long said. “Without a doubt, he’s the medicine we all need. As Mother Teresa would often say, the worst poverty is not to know Christ.”

Hope is healthy

On May 13, 2025, during the Jubilee Year of Hope, the St. Raphael Chapel was filled as Bishop Gruss celebrated Mass and blessed the newly renamed St. Mary’s Center of Hope building ahead of the first clinic scheduled for June. Those involved in helping Cathedral Free Clinic open its doors were present to celebrate, pray and give thanks.

“This project has been a great blessing for all of us who have been involved in moving it forward,” Bishop Gruss said. “The Lord has been very generous to us so that we could serve those in need.”

The Cathedral Free Clinic first opened on June 3, and the clinic is currently open on the first Tuesday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m., with plans to expand as more medical providers come forward to serve.

Dr. Long believes there are approximately 10,000 residents of Saginaw County, possibly more, who do not have health insurance and access to primary care. These are individuals who make too much money to qualify for government assistance, but do not have access to employer-based coverage or money for private insurance. Cathedral Free Clinic offers primary healthcare to the area’s uninsured and ‘soul care,’ or prayers for healing in the chapel, to all.

“Our motto is ‘Hope is Healthy,’” Dr. Long said. “Hope does not disappoint, and God has poured out his Spirit to offer healing to those who will come to the Cathedral Free Clinic for healthcare.”