HOSPITAL MINISTRY

Hospital Ministry is the ministry of caring people who, by their presence, extend the healing touch of Jesus to the sick and hurting by listening, praying, and bringing the love and comfort of the Christian community to those they visit.   A Hospital Minister is a trained lay person who has developed his or her own unique talents to become a loving, caring, listening minister.  The lay Hospital Minister is a person who also has developed  his or her own personal prayer life, is warm and sympathetic, and, above all, has an awareness of human worth and the dignity of each person at all stages of life.

At St. James, Hospital Ministry is organized into teams of two ministers each who generally visit the hospitals during the day.  Hospital Ministers visit Immanuel, Bergan Mercy, and Methodist Hospitals.  The time commitment for each team is approximately two hours, including travel time, once or twice a month.   Teams will visit several patients each time.

FORMATION  Hospital ministers are trained by St. James Pastoral Staff members.  Ongoing formation is provided several times a year.

QUESTIONS  If you have questions, please call Deacon Pat Lenz at the St. James Office, 572-0499.  If you would like to become a Hospital Minister, or would like further information, please print out this page, fill it in, and either return it to the parish office, or place it in the collection basket. 

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