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Your CSAF Dollars at Work
Hospital Chaplains
Father Marcus Milless, Hospital Chaplain“Jesus came to Earth to bring healing to the poor, the sick, and the broken hearted, as he reminds us in his first sermon in Luke’s Gospel. As members of the body of Christ we are called to listen to that first sermon, receive healing through it, and share this message with others. If the local church neglects this mission, we will be abandoning Christ on his journey to Calvary, as the Apostles did 2000 years ago. Calvary is that place of grace, where Jesus conquers sin and death and reconciles us to God the Father by the very giving of his body and blood. As a hospital chaplain, I have the privilege of journeying to Calvary with many people, and I get to witness people encounter Jesus there in the Sacraments; as someone takes their last breath, or as someone rehabs from an accident or drug addiction. What’s so amazing is that Jesus is there bringing the healing balm of his love and yes even joy through His Word and Sacraments.
As I finish my fifth month of chaplaincy at H.C.M.C, I’ve been humbled in so many ways, especially by the dedication of so many lay faithful who bring Christ in the Eucharist to those in the hospital and those who care for the sick as doctors, nurses, and workers behind the scenes. I’m also humbled by the centuries of Catholic priests and religious who’ve helped so many people in need in our Archdiocese. It’s been surprising to me how many people chose to be Catholic, because of a nun who personally helped them with their homework or a priest who was kind to them or a brother who helped their family in their poverty.
Our witness to the sick and suffering will not only bring healing to those whom we serve, but also to our local Church, and ourselves. The Lord is calling out to us in the poor, sick, and broken hearted; will we heed this call to go to the healing fountain of God’s love ourselves and bring others there through our prayers, presence, and sacrifices or will we be content to remain in valley?”
---------------Hospital Chaplains
The Archdiocese provides nine hospital chaplains who serve 13 hospitals in the metropolitan Twin Cities area. Their mission is to provide Catholic pastoral, priestly care and the Sacraments to Catholics who are patients at these hospitals in the Archdiocese.
In addition to daily Communion being provided, on any given day, there are upwards of 100 Catholics receiving the Sacrament of the Sick at the 13 hospitals.
The Catholic Services Appeal covers the salaries and expenses for the nine chaplains serving the 13 hospitals. This program is unique in that the hospitals provide no funding for the chaplains.
Hospitals Served by the Chaplains:
- Abbott Northwestern Hospital
- Children’s Hospital - Saint Paul
- Fairview Southdale Hospital
- Hennepin County Medical Center
- Mercy Hospital
- Methodist Hospital
- North Memorial Medical Center
- Regions Hospital
- St. John’s Hospital - Maplewood
- St. Joseph's Hospital - St. Paul
- United Hospital
- Unity Hospital
- University of Minnesota - Fairview
2018 CSAF Goal Amount: $600,000
