Spiritual Services

Between the Two Worlds

Chaplains serve in a place between two worlds -- the world of spirituality/religion and that of medicine.

Although our chaplains are members of the medical community, their role is not primarily medical. They are the ones on the multidisciplinary healthcare team whose primary job is to listen for and address spiritual and psycho-social concerns. Unlike other healthcare professionals, they focus on spiritual issues that often arise during hospitalization.

This may involve helping a patient identify religious or spiritual issues that are impeding the recovery process, or helping a patient and family clarify cultural and religious beliefs so that appropriate healthcare choices can be made. This might also involve helping a patient grieve multiple losses and lifestyle-changes resulting from deteriorating health.

Respecting Diversity

Spiritual Services provides an open, caring, compassionate environment that helps people draw on their own unique beliefs and practices for hope, courage and strength. Vanguard Westlake Hospital chaplains value the diversity of ways in which faith is expressed. They are committed to providing service for anyone in need regardless of their cultural, spiritual, or religious preference. This includes ministry with staff members during times of personal crisis and stress.

Compassionate Care

Chaplains comfort those who are sick or suffering. They offer compassionate listening, prayers, and rituals of healing, as requested. They welcome the opportunity to be present with a person in their time of need.

Chaplains also facilitate conversations about Advance Directives, end of life care and ethical treatment options in conjunction with the medical staff.

Spiritual Services offers a chapel and interfaith prayer room for patients, employees and visitors to pray, meditate, and reflect to meet their spiritual needs. Mass is celebrated every Sunday at noon. Holy Communion is distributed to patients and employees who request it. Memorial services are held as appropriate for families and loved ones of deceased patients and employees, in addition to grief support services.

Chaplains welcome the opportunity to be present with patients, families, visitors, and employees as a sign of God’s healing compassion and care.

Dedicated to Your Needs

We are here for you and your family and friends. We hope you will call on us if you would like to share a concern, a prayer or a conversation. Spiritual Services at Westlake Hospital is available 24 hours every day and is extended to patients, families, employees, visitors and volunteers of all ages, regardless of religious denomination or belief.

Scope of Services:

Chaplains are assigned to various units during the day. A chaplain is always available during the evening and night hours. On evenings and weekends ask the clinical manager to page the chaplain. You and your family may visit or call our Spiritual Services Office during the day 708-681-3000 at extension 7284.

Bereavement support and pastoral counseling can be provided to you by our trained spiritual staff. All visitors and family members are welcome to visit the chapel, the interfaith prayer room and attend worship services as listed on the Chapel board.