Spiritual Support Services

If you are a patient, family member or friend of a patient, the Hospital Chaplain is available to provide for your spiritual and emotional needs.  To speak with a chaplain, arrange a visit or to request a spiritual caregiver of a particular faith tradition, please call 410-955-5842, Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  On evenings, holidays and weekends, ask your nurse to contact a chaplain.  Your own clergyperson, faith community leader or spiritual counselor is always welcome in the hospital.

A Steadfast Presence

• Pastoral Care provides a continuous presence in the Hospital -- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• Chaplains make regular rounds in critical care units and the emergency departments.
• Spiritual care providers respond to requests, referrals, and emergent situations.  Contact information for requests and referrals may be found at this link.

Emotional and Spiritual Support

• Chaplains listen with respect and without judgment.
• Spiritual caregivers journey with patients, families, and staff through grief and loss.
• Chaplains facilitate debriefings after difficult events.
• Spiritual caregivers provide partnership in prayer.
• Chaplains offer comfort in times of distress and despair.

Religious Resources & Rituals

• Opportunities for scheduled worship services and prayer for are provided.
• Resources such as Bibles, rosaries, and Shabbat candles are provided upon request.
• TV channels 56 & 57 are free in all inpatient rooms, with programming that provides music and visuals for meditation and prayer.  Additionally, Eternal Word from the Global Catholic Network is found on TV channel 50.
• Quiet places are available 24/7,  including a Chapel on the main floor of the Children's Center and a Meditation Room in the Weinberg Building Lobby.
• Chaplains of numerous faith traditions, including Christian (Protestant and Roman Catholic), Jewish, Sufi, Muslim and Buddhist, provide sacraments and rituals.  Often requested, in addition to prayers, are Baptisms, Blessings, Naming Ceremonies, Holy Communion, Anointing of the Sick, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
• You may find a brief review of faith traditions to be helpful and interesting.
• During December and at other times of the year, the chaplains provide "Blessing of Hands" for caregivers.  This brief spiritual ritual for persons of all faiths is provided in the CMSC Chapel as well as in the nursing units of the Weinberg Building to recognize, honor and encourage caregivers.

Cooperation with Other Hospital and Community Caregivers

• Pastoral Care staff can assist with the completion of an Advance Directive, which includes the selection of a health care agent and communication of treatment preferences at the end of life.  Chaplains consult with patients, families, and staff regarding goals of care.
• Spiritual caregivers are trained to lend insight into religious and cultural diversity.  A table with selected religious traditions and beliefs regarding bereavement issues, used with permission from the End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium, may be helpful.
• Chaplains participate in ethics consultations.
• Information about organ donation may be found on the Living Legacy website.
• The Department offers continuing education for clergy, laity, and health care professionals.
• Staff members engage in partnerships with the local community.