Department of Hospital Ministry

The mission of the Hospital Ministry Department is to continue the healing ministry of Jesus Christ by offering a Catholic presence to those who are suffering, sick and dying, in hospitals, in nursing/board and care home and in individual homes throughout the Diocese by assisting and supporting that basic responsibility of parishes throughout the Diocese, but also through the provision of some direct services in order to co-ordinate and support activities of those engaged in ministry to the sick.

The functions of the Hospital Ministry Department is:

to provide a model of professional catholic chaplain services in key strategic areas in the Diocese to assure that patients who are suffering, and their families who accompany them on their journey, might have spiritual guidance, comfort and support

to provide a catholic resource on ethical and religious directives for healthcare staff & patients

to coordinate the activities of those engaged in hospital ministry, priests, deacons, religious and laity--for the purpose of offering support and services, being always respectful of required institutional policies

to communicate with the deaneries adjacent to major hospitals to facilitate cooperation and support

to develop and co-ordinate programs of ongoing education, follow-up and support, evaluation and recruitment for ministers who visit the sick

to support, through team efforts, spiritual and pastorally effective palliative care programs for people who are suffering from chronic illness or who are terminally ill, to minimize despair and to spiritually support life through means of relief of pain and suffering, and through reconciliation with family and community

to report back to the Diocese through the Vicar General/Director of Pastoral Life, common as well as special needs in hospital ministry

Director: Deacon L. Rex Ehling            Contact: lrexehling@sbcglobal.net

Deans

The Director of the Division of Pastoral Life oversees the deans of the various deaneries throughout the Diocese of Oakland. Their mission is to bring together the clergy and pastoral leaders of each parish to work together on common pastoral tasks, to support one another in ministerial leadership, to resource important pastoral needs and to provide training regionally. They work to fulfill several goals. The deanery goals of working together in parish clusters and deanery regions and the goal of the Strategic Plan of the Diocese of Oakland, to be a mechanism and an experience that promotes regional planning.

Liaison: Rev. George Mockel        Contact: gmockel@oakdiocese.org