Archdiocese of Denver
22
Hospital Ministry
D
eacons are privileged to minister in the lo-
cal hospitals. To listen when patients have
needs or family members receive difficult
news about their loved ones. Often, the people
need a willing ear and an understanding
heart. Many speak of having a feeling of peace
because of the deacon's presence as a rep-
resentative of the Church. This small gesture
makes an incredible difference to the patient
and the family.
The deacon may be asked to visit with a
patient or provide viaticum to those that are
dying. He may also help by arranging for a
priest to come for a final anointing. At a Cath-
olic Hospital, the deacon also assists at Mass,
ministers to the patients, staff, or members of
the nearby community.
Love and compassion to see the sick and dy-
ing with the eyes of Christ and to minister to
them as they are shown the way by God, the
ultimate healer of all.
The Archdiocese has created a Hospital
database to ensure that these facilities have
clergy available to minister to patients and
family when requested.
i
Deacon Michael Graf ner
deaconmgraf ner@gmail.com
Deacon George Linehan
gdlinehan3@gmail.com
"
"
I was ill and you care for me.
Mt. 25:36
Children's Hospital Ministry
D
eacons have been providing Catholic min-
istry at Children's Hospital Colorado for
several years. Many courageous and faithful
patients, families and staff have benefited
f rom this ministry and have been an inspira-
tion to the deacon.
The deacon leads a Communion service
once a week and assists a priest at Mass for
special occasions. These services are sched-
uled on the hospital calendar which has
attracted both regular staff attendees as well
as patients and family members, especially
at the Ash Wednesday service. Some families
and hospital staff will stay after the service to
talk and share some of their challenges, and in
some cases schedule a private conference.
The hospital chaplain team calls on the
deacon when they meet Catholic patients and
families so that he can visit with them, lead
prayers, provide blessings, perform emergen-
cy baptisms, and bring them the Eucharist.
The deacon and the spiritual care chaplain
team have a wonderful, collaborative relation-
ship. Mutual support exists, which makes this
a deeply rewarding ministry for the deacon
and those who are served.
i
Deacon Kevin Heckman
deaconkevin@comcast.net
Deacon Huan Nguyen
stjohnbaptist123@outlook.com
