Chaplaincy Department

• As part of the medical team, chaplains take particular care of the spiritual needs of the sick child and his or her family. Chaplaincy support is available 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year. Chaplains care for the spiritual needs of the children and their families through listening, advising, praying, supporting, sharing their burdens and trying to discover the healing presence of God in the face of their sickness and pain.
  
• Because the hospital stay can be stressful for patients and families chaplains support them with daily visitation. Before surgery, chaplains visit patients providing prayer and blessing of the child and support to distressed parents. In the event of death, the chaplain supports the parents until they leave the hospital. The chaplain accompanies the parents on visits to their child in the mortuary chapel.
  
• Chaplains advise and support parents in making traumatic and difficult ethical decisions regarding the continuation of life support of their child. Support is provided in helping to make funeral arrangements and carrying out of removal services from the hospital mortuary chapel. In difficult cases chaplains may accompany parents to the cemetery and celebrate services at the graveside or crematorium. Administering the Sacraments, blessings and prayers is provided at the time of critical illness and death.
  
• The chaplain will contact, liaison and facilitate ministers of other religions where requested by parents. Also the department will contact and liaison with parish clergy where requested by the parents.
  
• The hospital chapel is open 24 hours a day. It is located on the ground floor near the reception desk. It is open for all staff, patients and families for quiet prayer and meditation. Roman Catholic Mass is held every Sunday at 10:45am and 9:30am weekdays, excluding Thursdays and Saturdays.