Lawrence & Memorial Hospital is dedicated to total patient care. The Pastoral Care Department attends to spiritual, emotional and religious needs of patients and their families of all faith traditions. We routinely provide pastoral care for patients and loved ones M-F from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. and are on call at all times.
We always have access to a Catholic priest and can arrange for clergy from other faith traditions. We can make the appropriate arrangements if a patient wishes to have a visit from their own clergy or to receive sacraments, ordinances, and other rites of their particular religious tradition.
Pastoral Care chaplains assist patients directly through bedside prayer, emotional support, help with religious dietary needs, discussion of cultural practices and discussion of their illness concerns. A chaplain can be helpful to patient and family in a variety of circumstances.
- When a patient is anxious due to surgery, therapy or medical procedures.
- When a patient is in need of comfort for other reasons.
- When a patient and/or family member have major health care and treatment decisions to make.
- When a patient's way of life must change following an illness.
- When a patient is admitted in a traumatic or emergency situation.
- When a patient has a long-term or terminal illness.
- When a patient is dying or has died.
Upon entering the hospital, be sure to register your religious affiliation and express your willingness to allow the hospital share your name with your clergy. This is the only way the hospital will officially notify spiritual leaders that you are a patient at Lawrence & Memorial. It's part of our way of protecting your confidentiality.
Clinical Pastoral Education.
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital provides chaplaincy training through its Clinical Pastoral Education Program in which chaplain interns gain experience and expertise providing in-patient pastoral care. Additional information is available at the CPE page.
Contact Information.
You may contact the Pastoral Care Department at 860.442.0711, ext. 2305 or through the nursing unit staff. The Chapel is located on the first level, near the main reception desk. It is always open for prayer and meditation. The Pastoral Care Director is Rev. Anne Kowalczyk (an ordained United Church of Christ minister.) The Catholic Chaplain is Bill McGann (an ordained Roman Catholic Permanent Deacon.)
Orientation to L&M for Clergy