Prayer Service for Hurricane Victims and First Responders

Yesterday, HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital colleagues and visitors joined together in prayer and song in recognition of hurricane victims and first responders. Sister Ritamary Brown, a health advocate at the hospital, welcomed the gathering and introduced members of the St. Mary’s mission initiatives team, who each led part of the service.

Brown started by reading prayers of special intentions. Karla Thornton, a spiritual care minister, read from Psalm 23; Val Jordan, director of oncology, recited prayers for hurricane victims and first responders; and Mark Krieger, IT services manager, ended the program by leading the group in “God Bless America.”

Prayer is an important aspect of the care at St. Mary’s. Volunteers participate in perpetual adoration, which means someone is praying in the chapel 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. St. Mary’s often holds prayer services in times of sorrow and celebration. Both colleagues and visitors are welcome to stop by to take part in the prayer services.