St. Elizabeth's Patients & Guests Spiritual Care
St. Elizabeth's Spiritual Care

Spiritual Care

Providing spiritual care to our patients and their families

Prayer Request

A hospital stay can be a frightening, anxious and sometimes lonely experience. We know that your spiritual care is also an important part of the healing process. Members of the Spiritual Care department at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital are available to you and your loved ones during your time in the hospital. Our chaplains are trained in clinical pastoral education who understand the special needs of hospital patients, their families and hospital staff.

We offer:

  • Pre-surgical visits

  • Administer the sacraments, including Holy Communion and baptism

  • Preside over Mass, memorials and other special services

  • Crisis intervention and grief support

  • Assistance with Advanced Directives such as Health Care Power of Attorney documents.

  • Power of Attorney downloadable in English or Spanish

  • End-of-life and ethical issue counseling

  • Services relating to organ and tissue donations

Spiritual Care Information

 

Location and Hours: Spiritual Care is located on fifth floor of the hospital next to the Chapel. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Contact Information: 618-234-2120, Ext. 51091

 

Additional Resources

 

Bible Gateway - Read and search scripture in over 90 different Bible translations, listen to more than 20 audio bibles and read several different commentaries. The free app allows you to take personal notes as well as share verses on social media. Bible Gateway is available for download through the App Store and  Google Play Store, or you may visit their website to learn more.  HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is not affiliated with Bible Gateway. Do be advised the app offers additional in-app purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Does the chaplain call your church when you are admitted?

Due to patient confidentiality regulations, the Pastoral Care department does not routinely call the churches of our patients. If you want your church informed, call the pastoral care office or let the chaplain know.

When are chaplains available?

Chaplians are available at the hospital from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. A chaplain is on call at all other times.

What if I am not Catholic?

St. Elizabeth’s Hospital is a Catholic hospital. But we are committed to ministering to the spiritual needs of all persons, regardless of their religious background. The Pastoral Care department has an ecumenical staff that includes Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox clergy and lay persons, and works closely with many religious faiths to facilitate their ministry at St. Elizabeth’s.

What are Advanced Directives?

These are forms that all you to express your healthcare and end-of-life wishes and give you a way to ensure those wishes are carried out. The State of Illinois has three Advanced Directive forms:

All of these forms are available through the Pastoral Care office.

What is a Living Will?

A Living Will states that when a person has an incurable, irreversible condition where death is imminent, family and physicians should not prolong the dying process, but should provide comfort care. In Illinois, you can be put on life support if the criteria described above are not met – even if you have a Living Will.

What is Power of Attorney for Healthcare?

The Power of Attorney for Healthcare allows a person to appoint someone to make their healthcare choices when they are incapacitated. The form also includes a section where you can provide general and specific guidelines that should be followed while carrying out your wishes.

Will these forms be honored elsewhere?

The forms used by St. Elizabeth's Hospital are valid anywhere in the State of Illinois. While there is no guarantee that healthcare facilities outside of Illinois will honor them, in most cases they will.