Spiritual Support

Illness affects people in many ways, including spiritually. At Columbia St. Mary's, we provide care for the whole person—body, mind, spirit. We believe that your spiritual care is as important as your medical care. Therefore, chaplains are integral members of our health care team.

When you are in the hospital, you may struggle with a variety of emotions. Members of your family may have similar feelings. You and your loved ones do not have to cope with these feelings alone. Chaplains are available to meet your spiritual needs throughout your hospital stay.

A chaplain can be an understanding friend and confidant who can provide a listening ear. He or she can help you find your spiritual strength, whether that strength is from God or from another source. The chaplain will listen to you and your spirit to determine how to best support you and your family.

Chaplain Services

Our chaplains are trained professionals who recognize and respect all faiths.
They can:

• Offer emotional and spiritual support for patients, families, and staff
• Celebrate with patients and families their return to physical and/or spiritual health
• Help facilitate the rites and rituals of patients and families of all faiths
• Connect patients and families with their own spiritual resources or clergy (priest, pastor, rabbi, or other member of the clergy)
• Offer resources for counseling and make referrals when appropriate

Your Spiritual Needs

Patients call upon a hospital chaplain for a variety of needs. We are available to help you when:

• You're going to have surgery or a medical procedure
• You're anxious about outcomes or hear some bad news
• You're feeling sad, afraid, stressed, angry, hopeless, helpless, or
  lonely
• You're experiencing a loss
• You face a difficult decision
• You need comfort
• You want someone to join you in prayer
• You or your family don't know where to turn
• You're asking God "Why?"
• You want to discuss end-of-life issues

Resources

We have many resources to help you.

Holy areas at Columbia St. Mary's

• Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, East Facility, Milwaukee Campus, Mass 9 am, Sunday
• Our Lady of Grace Chapel, West Facility, Milwaukee Campus (call for Mass schedule)
• Quiet Room for prayer and meditation, Columbia Campus

• Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Chapel, Ozaukee Campus (call for Mass schedule)

For other special Mass times, please call Chaplain Services.

Clergy resources

• Help finding your own spiritual/religious leader
• Jewish chaplaincy services available on request

Other resources include:

• Holy scriptures
• Rosaries
• Communion
• Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
• Menorahs and Sabbath candles
• Literature to support your spiritual needs

How to Contact Chaplain Services

A hospital chaplain is available 24 hours a day. Chaplains are in-house from 8 am to 4:30 pm, and are on call during the evening hours. If you are in need of a chaplain, please ask your nurse to contact Chaplain Services at the appropriate phone number below.

Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Columbia
and Sacred Heart Rehabilitation Institute
(414) 961-3765

Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Milwaukee
(414) 291-1433

Columbia St. Mary's Hospital Ozaukee
(262) 243-7362 or (262)827-4717

At Columbia St. Mary's, spiritual care is part of our Passion for Patient Care.