The reality of health care in our day means that many people spend shorter visits in the hospital. Often, friends will hear of a neighbor who was in the hospital. The kindness of visiting someone who has been hospitalized - to offer companionship and support - is less common.

This is not to say that we cannot be supportive. Sending a card, making a phone call, or asking if a neighbor needs help is part of every Christian’s call to serve. However, if you are interested in the possibility of serving as a lay pastoral visitor (either in hospitals, or to visit shut-in parishioners) please contact Vicar Peter Siwek at 312-751-6727 or at psiwek@saintjamescathedral.org. He would be happy to talk with you about the needs and expectations of this ministry.