At St. Bernards, our mission is to provide Christ-like healing to the community through education, treatment and health services. The Pastoral Care department at St. Bernards participates in total patient care, ministering to the spiritual needs of the patient and all involved in their care, including relatives, guardians and staff in a variety of settings and circumstances.
This ministry is carried out within the scope of the ethical and moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. The department is led and staffed by Olivetan Benedictine Sisters, a Catholic Priest Chaplain and other Pastoral Care associates. Also included in this department are Hospice Chaplains who assist with visiting patients who are under Hospice care.
The Pastoral Care team is available for all patients, regardless of their faith or denomination. If a patient requests a visit from someone from their home church or denomination, they strive to make that connection. Assistance is also provided to all visiting clergymen.
Some of the services provided by the Pastoral Care department include:
- Prayer support
- Emotional support
- Spiritual care
- Palliative care
- Sacramental support
- Ministering at the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House
- Home Hospice care
- Ministering at St. Bernards Behavioral Health
Patients may request additional spiritual or religious support by calling Pastoral Care at 870.207.4559, or by dialing 0 and asking the switchboard operator to be transferred.
Emergency situations do not always happen during normal working hours. A Pastoral Care staff member is on-call 24-7 for urgent requests for prayer.
The hospital chapel is located on the ground level of the corridor between the surgical tower and the Emergency Department, and it is open 24/7 for quiet prayer and solitude. The Prayer Garden is also open to everyone from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Megan Mayeux is the Director of Pastoral Care at St. Bernards Medical Center. Read more about her journey and experience here.