Catholic Health invites staff to document sacred encounters
Summary
Catholic Health in Buffalo, New York, encourages its staff to share brief narratives of “sacred encounters”—moments of unexpected grace or connection in clinical settings. These stories, ranging from humorous to deeply moving, are collected on the system’s website and shared at leadership gatherings. One example recounts a nurse comforting a distressed patient after her shift, leading to the patient’s peaceful sleep. Chaplains like Rev. Cynthia Short and Rev. Geoffrey Hord view these moments as manifestations of divine presence in everyday care. The initiative aims to highlight the spiritual dimension of caregiving and reinforce Catholic Health’s mission of holistic, compassionate service.
Relevance
This initiative exemplifies how Catholic healthcare institutions maintain their spiritual ethos within a secular healthcare environment, emphasizing the integration of faith and compassion in patient care.