While all hospital patients depend on thehealing hands of trained physicians andnurses, many also put faith in a higherpower to get them through the tough times.

The spiritual care of those admitted toRVH is treated with the utmost respect andprivacy. Pastoral care is offered to allpatients who would like to have a memberof the clergy visit them, even if they’re notaffiliated with an organized religiousgroup.

A list of patients’ names and theirreligious preferences is updated daily andmade available to the clergy.

The hospital is currently working with agroup of ministerial representatives to help

them ensure no patient is missed, whileeveryone’s privacy is protected. UnitedChurch Minister Don Anderson is amember of that group. He feels it’s a matterof having two simple questions posed toeach patient upon admission: 1. Do youhave a religious preference? and 2. Wouldyou prefer not to be visited?

Even so, with a doctor shortage and avast majority of patients being admittedthrough emergency, it’s easy for patients tobe in the hospital for a couple of dayswithout their minister being notified.

“I always tell my congregation that ifsomeone is in the hospital and they’d likeme to visit, to let me know,” says Rev.

Bonnie Scharf of St. James LutheranChurch. “I don’t go unless I get a call.”

Rev. Scharf believes that spiritualhealing helps and says that her trips to RVHare mostly short, friendly visits with thosefrom her church.

At times she’s also acted as an advocatefor the patient, particularly in the case ofelderly people with little family in the area.

And when the family is involved, theminister has often used the hospital’s chapelas a place to talk and help the familythrough their loved one’s illness. “It reallyfeels like a holy space,” she says.

With the patient’s permission,she’ll also mention their name at hernext service so the congregation cancontinue to keep them in their ownprayers.

Father Peter Proulx has mademany rounds with the sickparishioners of St. Francis XavierChurch and provides friendly visits,praying with the sick and offeringwords of encouragement. He alsooffers sacramental care such ascommunion, reconciliation andanointing with oil.

It is ideal for people to talk withtheir clergy ahead of time abouttheir personal preferences.

Rev. Anderson knows of people whohave specifically told their minister that ifthey’re ever in the hospital, they don’t wantto be visited. “I understand that. Theyfigure they’re in the hospital for a reasonand want to focus on getting better.”

“I let the patient call the shots,” heexplains.

When he does visit, his responsibility is tolisten and follow the patient’s conversationallead. He says it comes down to the patient“knowing that another person knows whatthey are going through—and cares.”

Rev. Bonnie Scharf appreciatesthe sanctuary of the RVH chapel.

Friday, February 27. Celebrate life with the Amigos, and dance to the tunes of HalfCutt, The Debenhams and the Ghost Town Cryers at the Renfrew Armouries. Doorsopen at 7 p.m. and tickets will be available there for $10 per person. A portion of theproceeds will support the RVH oncology program.