|
|
|
 |
| The
chaplains are pictured here in July 2004 during a visit from
His Eminence Francis Cardinal George to Stroger Hospital. From
left to right are, John C. Brown, John H. Stroger, Jr., Fr.
James E. Chambers, SJ, Cardinal George, Br. Anthony R. Kreutzjans,
SJ, and Fr. Eugene J. Nevins, SJ. |
|
The
Jesuit chaplains have comforted and prayed with patients at John
H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County for over 100 years. Fr. Michael
McNulty, SJ, began the ministry in 1903 after deciding the need
was greatest at the hospital--then referred to simply as Cook County
Hospital. In his first year Fr. McNulty visited with over 1,000
patients. A second chaplain was assigned to Cook County Hospital
in 1904 to help assist Fr. McNulty with the heavy work load and
the Jesuits have yet to leave. 34 Jesuits have since carried on
the tradition of chaplaincy at Cook County Hospital.
Currently there are 3 Jesuit priests working as chaplains at Cook
County Hospital. Fr. Eugene J. Nevins, SJ, has
worked as a chaplain since 2002 and previously was a chaplain from
1981 to 1986. Fr. James E. Chambers, SJ, has been
helping patients as a chaplain since 2000 and Fr. Robert
E. Finn, SJ, has been serving as a chaplain since 1993.
In
addition to the priests, the following are also engaged in this
Jesuit ministry: Mary Fauls, Jorge Caicedo, Sr. Marie Louise Jilk,
James Seeberg, Maureen Treanor, and two Jesuit seminarians, Richard
Ross and Joel Medina.
The duties of the chaplains are diverse but the goal is always the
same, helping the patient and their family through what is surely
a difficult time. Many days the chaplain’s job involves providing
company to a lonely patient, offering the last sacraments for a
gravely ill patient or praying with a patient’s family. The
Jesuit chaplains also offer mass each day in the hospital chapel.
Related
Links
More information about the work of the Jesuit chaplains at Cook
County Hospital can be found using the links below:
::
A Century of Service: Jesuit Chaplains Celebrate 100 Years of
Service to Cook County Hospital from Winter 2003-2004 Partners
magazine. This story highlights the work being done by the Jesuit
chaplains as well the decades of service completed by their predecessors.
It includes many historic photos along with a list of Jesuits
who have served at the hospital more
|
|
