Commitment To Compassionate CareThe Department of Pastoral Services is an integral part of the hospital’s commitment to compassionate care for the whole person. Our staff consists of Chaplains who are trained to attend to the spiritual needs of our patients and families. We are multicultural and multi-lingual, with a specialized ministry to Spanish-speaking people. We are priests and religious, rabbis and cantors, ministers and lay people, each endorsed by our faith groups for ministry to Calvary’s patients, families, friends and staff. We offer a wide variety of religious practices such as the sharing of appropriate liturgy, scripture, sacrament, prayer and worship. We are available for pastoral counseling and quiet listening—hearing, seeing, being—in your moments of deepest feeling or concerns of the heart. In sharing and understanding your spiritual issues, our Chaplains offer to help you come to greater peace with yourself, with others and with your God. Chaplains are in the Hospital 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ask a hospital staff person to page a Chaplain at any time of the day or night. We are available to serve you in many languages in addition to English: Spanish, Hebrew, Yiddish, Italian, French. Other languages are available through a translation service.
Support GroupsCalvary Hospital offers support groups for the families and friends of our patients, who often find comfort among those who share their experience. Our Chaplains, together with social workers, facilitate these groups to help you cope with the stress of your loved one’s illness. A support group for Spanish-speaking families is also We encourage family members and friends to attend these groups. Ask your Chaplain or social worker for the times and locations. WorshipCalvary’s Chapel is always open for quiet reflection and prayer. This beautiful sanctuary is adapted for our Protestant and Jewish services by replacing the crucifix with a plain cross or menorah. We also have our own Ark and Torah for use in our Jewish services.
Channel 23Calvary Hospital televises all of our worship services and airs a series of meditative programs. Throughout the day, patients and their guests can find inspirational and relaxing viewing. Consult your Channel 23 television schedule or ask a Chaplain for further information. Jewish PatientsAs members of Calvary’s Pastoral Services Department, our Rabbi and Cantor help our Jewish patients and their families and friends feel at home. Upon admission, a Chaplain will visit you to welcome you and inquire about any needs or requests you may have. Our Jewish Chaplains regularly visit with our patients and their loved ones, offering counseling, bedside prayer and companionship. They are fluent in Hebrew and Yiddish and prepare for all Shabbat and Jewish holiday services. Kosher meals and special candles are available; other kashrut options are easily arranged. Everything is done to make our Jewish patients and their families and friends feel as comfortable as possible during their stay at Calvary. Clinical Pastoral EducationCalvary Hospital is accredited by both the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education and the United States Catholic Conference to provide training for clergy and lay persons who wish to become certified as spiritual care providers for persons in crises or serious illness. Two units of training For further information about this program, please contact the Pastoral Services office at: Bereavement ServicesOur continuing Pastoral Care includes Memorial Services, Bereavement Support Groups, individual counseling and “Precious Moments,” an after-school program for grieving children ages 6-11. Calvary Hospital is also a center for bereavement education for the community and clinicians. For information, call the Director of Bereavement Services, or ask your Chaplain or social worker. BEREAVEMENT SERVICES |
