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ATLANTA—Saint Joseph’s Hospital is among hospitals and
organizations celebrating National Pastoral Care Week Oct. 22-29, recognizing
chaplains of all faiths for their work and ministry.
Saint Joseph’s Hospital chaplains include priests, Religious
sisters, a rabbi on call, Protestant clergy and professionally trained lay
persons.
Chaplains routinely visit patients, provide crisis intervention,
respond to Code 1 announcements and traumas and provide spiritual support for
sacramental needs and other spiritual needs of patients and their families.
They also conduct prayer services and educational programs for the hospital and
the community.
Chaplains pray with patients who are awaiting test results or
preparing for surgery, celebrate with a family as a person leaves surgery,
offer Communion to patients and lead bereavement groups. They also listen to
staff members and their needs, lead memorial services, explain living wills and
notify a patient’s place of worship when he or she has been hospitalized.
Sister Valentina Sheridan, RSM, director of the pastoral care
department, said that in keeping with the mission of the hospital, which is
concern for the whole person, chaplains address the spiritual and emotional
needs of patients, families and staff.
“We seek not only to comfort and offer assistance but also
help persons identify sources of their own personal strength and to draw on
those sources,” she said.
“This year’s theme, ‘Valuing Each Person
Wholly,’ is helpful because it reminds us of how each person has a unique
value; that each one has not only a present, but a history and a future; that
growth and healing are fostered from within and without.”
During the week, Saint Joseph’s Hospital will celebrate by
using various means to raise consciousness about the role and function of the
chaplain as well as the means by which a person becomes a chaplain. Special
live music will be provided in the hospital lobby and the department of
pastoral care will give special recognition to those who have supported the
work of pastoral care.
Throughout the Jubilee Year, the pastoral care department has
singled out different hospital departments each week to be the object of their
prayer.
“In an effort to recognize individuals and smaller units, we
have visited each department with a special Jubilee banner which remained in
the department for the week,” Sister Sheridan said. “A special prayer
at that time inaugurated the week of prayer for them. This has been one way to
demonstrate how we ‘value each person wholly’ in our ministry to
co-workers as well as patients.” |
