Spiritual Care Services

Spiritual care/chaplaincy is available at Lawrence General Hospital to address spiritual health as an integrated and important part of quality health care. Spiritual care at LGH offers family and staff the opportunity to bring spiritual and religious beliefs and practices to the process of treatment and recovery from illness. It also affords the opportunity to maintain connections to their faith communities.

LGH serves a religiously and ethnically diverse population, and the LGH Spiritual Care Department offers the assurance that religious and spiritual preferences will be honored. It also encourages spiritual and religious beliefs of the patient and family to be brought into the healing process. When requested, or when LGH staff persons observe a potential spiritual need, ministry by LGH chaplains is arranged by referral, telephone, or in person. Generally referrals are the most common arrangement, unless time is critical.

What do LGH hospital chaplains do?

Chaplains visit patients and families, and make interventions which include listening, encouraging, praying, comforting, blessing, spiritual counseling, providing religious literature, etc. Chaplains support patients and families as they deal with the difficulties of illness, injury, and hospitalization. They are a safe, accepting, caring presence that respects each patient and family and their chosen spiritual and/or religious background. Interventions are determined by the wishes and preferences of the patient and/or family. LGH chaplains also provided spiritual care to LGH staff members.

Common reasons to request services

When a family requests spiritual or emotional support or counsel.
When a patient would like prayer.
When a Roman Catholic patient would like the Sacrament of the Sick from a priest.
When a staff member senses that spiritual or emotional support is needed.
When a death occurs, or times of grief or loss.
When a serious diagnosis is delivered.
When a patient would like prayer before a surgery.
When a family faces end-of-life decisions.
When patients or families request religious resources.
When a patient wishes to speak to a caring person, or someone to listen.
When a patient needs help contacting their church or religious community.
When there is a need for support for a friend or family member.
When a patient feels anxious or upset about a situation.
When a staff member needs support.

Spiritual Care Services encourages visitation by the patients' own ministers. If your minister is not available, the hospital chaplains gladly respond to your requests. You may ask to arrange for a visit with a chaplain by calling or emailing one of our chaplains listed below.

Chaplains are available Monday through Friday business hours.

The LGH Chapel - A Place for Prayer and Meditation
The chapel is located on the first floor, just a few steps from the main elevators.
The chapel is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Prayer Requests
If you would like to make a prayer request for a patient, friend, or family member, you may e-mail your request to one of the chaplains listed below. Prayer requests may also be made for a patient, friend or family member by writing a request in the chapel, or by leaving a telephone message with one of the chaplains listed below:

Rev. Thomas "Mac" McSweeney, M. Min.
Lead Interfaith Chaplain
Coordinator of Spiritual Care
Phone: 978-683-4000 x2349
Thomas.McSweeney@lawrencegeneral.org

Laura Zappala, M. Min
Catholic Chaplain
Coordinator of Catholic Services
Phone: 978-683-4000 x2344
Laura.Zappala@lawrencegeneral.org

Many people reflect on their spiritual journey when they're in the hospital. Most of them prefer to reflect on that journey with a professionally-trained chaplain. And an encounter with a professionally-trained chaplain can have a huge impact on their condition. Their experience with any of our chaplains will bring them encouragement and hope and greater peace of mind. Spiritual Care pays off in excellent care for patients and their loved ones.