Services

A St. Edward Mercy chaplain can provide compassionate listening and non-judgmental guidance at a time of physical or emotional stress. Pastoral professionals can help you find the peace and comfort that come from turning to your own religious traditions and rediscovering your spiritual center.

The chaplain's role is not necessarily a problem-solving one. It is rather one of helping you to integrate what is happening to you with your relationship to God and others.

Pastoral Services is staffed by trained and board-certified chaplains of various Christian faith backgrounds. They are skilled in listening and supporting on both the spiritual and emotional levels. A ministry of presence and acceptance guides the chaplains’ visits.

Support and assistance are available every day of the week. To contact a chaplain, call (479) 314-6084, or dial the hospital operator.

What you can expect from a chaplain

• Confidentiality
• Compassionate listening
• Availability to simply be there for you
• Support for you and your loved ones
• Religious services, sacraments, prayer and other spiritual resources
• Information and guidance regarding questions about medical ethics, living wills, life-support decisions, end-of-life issues and more
• Information about support groups related to your needs
• Grief ministry in dealing with loss or death

We routinely:

• help patients and family members complete Advance Directives.
• function as members of the healthcare team.
• make an initial visit with newly admitted patients (also available to outpatients).
• continue to visit, developing a relationship with patients and their families.
• conduct pre-surgical visits.
• listen and allow people to talk about the illness and its spiritualemotional and social impact on their lives.
• support patients and family members in times of crisis and in their decision-making process.
• meet with families upon the death of a loved one.
• work with your minister or spiritual leader.
• respond to pastoral care referrals from medical staff and spiritual leaders of the community.
• serve as resources on pastoral care issues for hospital staff and the local community.

Pastoral aides

The department also has a team of lay volunteers, or pastoral aides, to assist chaplains in performing welcoming visits to patients. During your stay, you may receive a visit from a pastoral aide.

If you are interested in becoming a pastoral aide, contact the Pastoral Services Department at (479) 314-6084 for information about the training program and how to apply.