I was sick and you visited me. – Mt. 25:36
Hospital Ministry helps connect the body of Christ to those in the hospital. Priests and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion bring the presence of Christ to patients and their family members through pastoral visits to those hospitalized. Volunteers in Hospital Ministry serve in more than ten different hospitals throughout the San Antonio area. Priests assist in offering Masses in hospital chapels and the Anointing of the Sick to patients.
Serve in Hospital Ministry
Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Complete a training for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion at your parish and review the Guidelines for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion found on the Guidelines page.
- Fill out and submit the Application for Hospital Ministry form and Criminal Background Check form. Find these forms on the Forms page. Include a Letter of Good Standing from your Pastor.
- Contact the Pastoral Care Office for the Hospital at which you’d like to volunteer. Contact information can be downloaded from the Resources page. The hospital will guide interested volunteers through an onboarding process.
- Attend an in-service at the hospital for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion or Hospital Ministry gathering to be commissioned (or recommissioned). Anyone continuing in the ministry will be commissioned every three years.
- Participate in Parish Ministry Formation through the Institute for Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Service at the Mexican American Catholic College (MACC).
Rosary Makers
Volunteers make rosaries either individually or as a parish group. Rosaries are placed in bags, blessed, and then provided to hospitals for Hospital Ministers to use and distribute or they are made available in the hospital chapels. If you are interested in serving as a Rosary Maker, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.
Prayer Companions
Volunteers pray intentionally for other Hospital Ministers in the Archdiocese and for patients receiving care, including those who submitted a Prayer Request. If you would like to serve as a Prayer Companion, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.
Linen Volunteers
Linen Volunteers support Hospital Ministry by caring for linens used in the celebration of the Mass in hospital chapels. If you are interested in serving as a Linen Volunteer, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.
Care for the Sick
What to do When Seeking Spiritual Care for a Loved One
Contact a Pastoral Care Office to notify them that you have a loved one in need of spiritual care, and that he/she is Catholic. Contact information can be downloaded from the Resources page. If you do not see the information you need, please contact Lauren Stadelman by email or call 210-734-1632.
Anointing of the Sick
This Sacrament offers healing grace to a sick person, and may be felt or noticed physically, spiritually, emotionally or mentally. Only priests may celebrate (or perform) an Anointing of the Sick, and does not need to be only reserved for individuals who are close to death. Read more about Anointing of the Sick here or on the USCCB website.
Prayers for the Sick
The Act of Spiritual Communion prayer card can be downloaded from the Resources page. Find prayers for the health and dignity of the sick on the USCCB website.
Healthcare Decisions
The Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services document from the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops offers moral guidance for healthcare decisions, drawn from the Catholic Church’s theological and moral teachings.
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops offers Advance Care Planning documents to support individuals in considering their values, documenting their wishes for health care decisions, and designating a health proxy to speak on their behalf if needed.
Catholic Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare Professionals Mass
We invite all who serve in the healthcare field and care for the mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional health of our community to an annual Healthcare Professionals Mass in October. Visit our calendar to find information about the next Mass.
Catholic Physicians Guild
Visit the Catholic Physicians Guild website.
Mental Health Professionals
Visit the archdiocesan Mental Health Ministry page.
Prayer Requests
Submit a prayer request for the Hospital Ministry Prayer Companions using this form.
Contact
Lauren Stadelman
Director for Human Dignity & Pastoral Care
Phone: 210-734-1632
Email: [email protected]
