The Pastoral Care Staff at Roswell Park Cancer Institute is an interfaith team who visits patients and their families in the hospital. The staff members bring with them their faith tradition and training that enable them to specially minister to members of their own faith communities. At Roswell Park, the staff representing the Catholic tradition includes Catholic Priests, Catholic Deacons, a certified Catholic Chaplain, pastoral care visitors and Ministers of Holy Communion.

The Pastoral Care Staff are familiar with and sensitive to the issues that accompany illness. Pastoral care staff members are available daily for visitation and for the distribution of Holy Communion. Catholic Priests on staff attempt to visit all Catholic new admissions. If they are unable, another member of the pastoral care team will meet with you and offer the services of the department.

The Sacrament of the Eucharist

Holy Eucharist - the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that Holy Eucharist is the heart and summit of the Church's life. Communion with the Body and Blood of Christ increases the communicant's union with the Lord. (CCC 1407, 1416)

Mass is celebrated at 12:00 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the chapel. Monthly Thursday is also offered. Catholic Communion Service is held at noon on Thursdays in the chapel. Ministers of Holy Communion are available daily to bring Holy Communion to all Catholic patients. If you would like to receive Holy Communion, you can call the Pastoral Care Office at 845-8051, or ask your nurse or pastoral care visitor to notify the office.

The Sacraments of Healing

The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick -The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that
the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick has as its purpose the conferral of a special grace on the Christian experiencing the difficulties inherent in the condition of grave illness or old age. It is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as anyone of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time to receive this sacrament has certainly arrived. (CCC 1527, 1514)

The Catholic priest is available for the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as one Thursday per month, or anytime when there is an urgent need. Ask any pastoral care visitor, Chaplain, or a member of your health care team to notify the Catholic Priest or call the Pastoral Care Office, 716-845-8051.

The Sacrament of Reconciliation (Penance, Confession)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which includes individual and integral confession of grave sins followed by absolution, remains the only ordinary means of reconciliation with God and with the Church. (CCC 1497)

The Catholic priest is available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as one Thursday per month, or anytime when there is an urgent need. Ask any Pastoral Care visitor, Chaplain or member of your health care team to notify the Catholic Priest or call the Pastoral Care Office, 716-845-8051.

Visitation

Along with sacramental visits, the Catholic priests as well as the staff chaplain and pastoral care visitors are available for prayer and general visitation. If there are any circumstances particular to your own personal church life or if you have a question with regard to your current standing in the Church, members of the team are available to talk with you.

Members of the pastoral care staff visit inpatient and outpatients Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Ministers of Holy Communion and pastoral care visitors are available on the weekends and on holidays. If you would like a visit, please call 716-845-8051, or ask your physician, nurse or other member of your Roswell Park care team to make the request for you. Chaplains are also available 24 hours a day to respond to the urgent sacramental and emotional needs of patients and families.

Bibles, rosaries, prayer shawls, prayer leaflets and the relic and medals of St. Peregrine (patron saint of cancer patients) are in the Pastoral Care Office.

The Staff

• Beth Lenegan, PhD, Director
• Rev. Norman McTigue, Catholic Chaplain
• Rev. Daniel O'Leary, OMI, Catholic Chaplain
• Rev. Ray Corbin
• Deacon Stephen Swinarski
• Deacon Neal Linnan
• Pastoral Care Visitors

Click the link for a copy of the Ministry to Catholic Patients & Families in .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) format.