Health Ministries

A hospital chaplain provides spiritual support in the hospital environment to patients, hospital staff, and family members of all faiths.

Chaplains attend patients by request, or they may visit all patients in the hospital. Their goal is to provide spiritual support and counseling to help people who may be experiencing spiritual distress, and to bring in other religious practitioners if they are needed. Nondenominational counseling is also available.

Chaplains may also sit with dying patients and their families to provide support. Chaplains also bring Holy Communion to Catholic patients upon request.

Spiritual Care helps integrate the mind, body and spirit which is essential to one’s well-being and healing process.

Recommendation

If you are scheduled to be hospitalized it is recommended that, prior to and in preparation for your hospitalization, you go to your parish for Confession and the Anointing of the Sick. This will allow these Sacraments to be made more available for the unplanned hospitalizations.

How to contact a Chaplain in the Hospital

• Ask for the Hospital Chaplain’s Office from any hospital staff.
• In Emergency:  ask one of the nurses.
• Scheduled Admitting or Out-Patient:  ask the registration desk clerk or nurse to inform the chaplain’s office/Pastoral Services.
• In a Room:  ask any member of the medical staff to request to be seen by a hospital chaplain.

Chaplain Contact Numbers

If it is an Emergency call the Hospital Operator and ask for the On-Call Chaplain. If it is not life threatening call the Chaplain’s office. If no answer, please leave a detailed message.