A
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT AND THE CHAIRMAN
In the midst of life
we are in death.
Burial Service-The Book of Common Prayer
 This
simple sentence found in The Book of Common Prayer is derived
from a Latin antiphon and attributed to Notker, a monk of St.
Gall, who in the year 911 was watching workmen undertaking the
perilous job of building a bridge. Five hundred years later
the perceptive monk’s reflection became the foundation
of Martin Luther’s inspiring antiphon, “De Morte.”
Today Notker’s words also are a vivid description of the
essential work of The HealthCare Chaplaincy—building bridges
to those who face suffering and death in the midst of this life.
The bridges built by The HealthCare Chaplaincy connect to the
very core of being that makes us human—our spirituality.
Illness, suffering, and death are components of life. The work
of the chaplain is to connect those in crisis to spiritual resources
that will meet the fundamental human needs of healing, comfort,
understanding, and acceptance. Those who suffer often feel that
they are alone. The professional chaplain can be a companion
on their spiritual journey. The chaplain guides, the chaplain
is present. And the chaplain is sometimes a bridge to their
families, loved ones, and hospital staff.
Gazing from the windows of our Center on 60th Street you can
see the Queensboro Bridge, the symbol chosen for this year’s
annual report. Like the sturdy structure that stretches from
Second Avenue in Manhattan across the East River to Queens,
our chaplains have a strength of purpose and dedication that
makes for deep connections. Their strength is reflected in the
diversity of their faith traditions—Buddhist, Christian,
Jewish, and Muslim. Their personal faith commitment focuses
The Chaplaincy’s mission to provide pastoral care, education,
and research for people of all faiths, or no faith.
During the year 2000, staff and student chaplains expanded The
Chaplaincy’s bridge of ministry to over 300,000 patients,
family members, and healthcare staff in the greater New York
City area. The HealthCare Chaplaincy partnered with a record
36 medical institutions and clinical sites. Our nationally recognized
faculty trained some 300 students from 30 faith traditions in
the practice of pastoral care. Our community outreach programs
addressing issues of illness, grief, and end-of-life care reached
hundreds of clergy, healthcare workers, caregivers, and family
members.
The research department of The HealthCare Chaplaincy continued
to pursue its mission of bridging the gap in academic research
in the fields of science and spirituality. The Chaplaincy was
instrumental in placing an article in the influential New England
Journal of Medicine dealing with the role of physicians in the
spiritual care of patients. At year’s end, the research
department was helping to craft and edit a landmark study on
the importance of chaplaincy in the field of healthcare.
In 2000, because of the support of our friends, The HealthCare
Chaplaincy was able to increase the span of its bridge-building
ministry to those in need. We are grateful to all of you—our
corporate, foundation, philanthropic, and religious benefactors
whose generous giving has reinforced the structure of The Chaplaincy’s
numerous bridges. Your ongoing support of this vital work for
all who suffer is a source of consolation to our board of trustees,
clinical and administrative staff, and students who each day
of the year strive to be ever more effective bridge builders.
Walter J. Smith, S.J.
President & CEO
Lawrence J. Toal
Chairman |
