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SALT LAKE CITY -- For more than 20 years, St. Mark's Hospital has had a Pastoral Care educational program for chaplains of all faiths who want to minister to patients and their families. Now they have a new home base in the Chapel of the Good Shepherd.
The rich, dark wood entrance reveals a beautiful stained glass window. Those who contributed to the building of the chapel hope it will become a place of prayer and meditation and, most of all, peace in a busy hospital.
"We thought, ‘Why don't we have a chapel that reflects how seriously we take other spiritual care here at St. Mark's Hospital? Why can't we have a place where it feels sacred?' You could come here, you feel safe," said Father Lincoln Ure, of St. Mark's Hospital Pastoral Care.
The materials came from Utah: the sandstone, the wood from one tree, the altar is handmade and donated. There is a small fountain and, of course, the window, which is supposed to send the message of care for all.
Myrna Ambler and her father, Jack Denhalter, are grateful for the new chapel and the spiritual care they receive from the Lutheran chaplain at St. Mark's.
"She helps us keep our spiritual batteries charged, which gives us spiritual strength to go through the harder times," Ambler said.
The new chapel is not only a place for patients and their families, but many on the staff feel as though this is also a place for them. "It's so peaceful. It's just beautiful. Sometimes when we just need to break away for a few minutes, it's always there for us, just within a hundred feet," said RN Sam Bellaccomo.
If you are interested in the pastoral care education program at St. Mark's Hospital, CLICK HERE.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
