Spiritual Care at St. Mary
Our chaplains come from different religious backgrounds are comprised of laypersons, clergy and religious that hold Master Degrees in Divinity or Theology and are certified by either the Association of Professional Chaplains or the National Association for Catholic Chaplains. They provide skilled spiritual and emotional care and counseling to patients, families, and our colleagues. We approach each encounter not as problem solvers, but as a journey listening to feelings and experiences. We seek to be a presence in moments that are critical, such as death and serious diagnosis, as well as providing rituals such as Memorial Services and Baptisms. Chaplains also provide guidance in the completion of Advance Directives.
In addition to chaplains, St. Mary has more than 100 volunteers who serve as friendly Initial Visitors and /or Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, all of who are trained for these ministries. And Holy Communion is distributed daily to patients. When requested by a patient, we contact local congregations so that the needs of all faith groups are addressed.
For our Catholic patients
The Sacrament of the Sick and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are available to inpatients upon request.
Chapel Services
The St. Mary Chapel is located in St. Mary Medical Center.
Reconciliation (Confession) and Holy Communion
The Sacrament of the Sick and the Sacrament of Reconciliation are available to inpatients upon request. Extraordinary Ministers of Communion bring the Holy Eucharist to patients' rooms each day.
Prayer Experiences
A Memorial Mass is offered on the third Wednesday of every month at 11:30 a.m. for the intention of those who have died over the past month at St. Mary Medical Center, as well as the loved ones of colleagues.
Every other month the Spiritual Care Department conducts an Interfaith Memorial Service at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of the month in the hospital Chapel. During this Interfaith Service, the names of those patients who have died in the previous two months are read aloud and remembered in a ritual manner—families of the deceased are invited to attend.
Contact Spiritual Care or a Chaplain
There is a Chaplain present in the hospital 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To contact a Chaplain, please call: 215.710.5902 or simply inform your nurse.