Spiritual Care
Providing Faith-Based Support During Your Time of Need
University Medical Center New Orleans understands the important role spirit and faith play in the lives of patients, their families, and staff. Our Spiritual Care team meets people at their point of need for meaning, hope, and support during trying times. This holistic approach to care impacts healing of body, mind and spirit. We are professionally trained and do not proselytize, evangelize, or promote an agenda when we listen to people. We offer support and compassionate care to all people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs.
Our Chapel is located on the first floor of the hospital building near the atrium (main lobby). The chapel is open from 6:30 am to 9 pm, seven days a week to patients, families, visitors, and staff. This provides a quiet and sacred space for prayer and meditation.
Learn about Our Clinical Pastoral Education Residency Program
Catholic mass & sacramental services
Catholic Mass is held at noon Sunday through Friday in the Chapel.
Masses on Holy Days of Obligation are held in the Chapel at noon.
Catholic Priests are available for the Sacraments of Anointing of the Sick, Communion, Reconciliation (Confession) and to meet with patients/family/staff as needed to assist them with their spiritual needs.
Father Anton Phan may be contacted during normal office hours at 504.702.3073. After hours and on weekends, when Fr. Anton may not be available, you may call the operator for an on-call priest at 504.702.3000, or contact your local clergy.
Spiritual Care Office
The Spiritual Care Office is open Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
The phone number is 504.702.3064. Please leave a message and call-back number anytime. A member of our Spiritual Care team will get back to you as soon as possible.
Our Chaplains are usually on the floors during office hours; we welcome your phone calls and will return them as soon as possible.
What we do
Our purpose is to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients and their loved ones, as well as our hospital employees and volunteers as they cope with the emotional and spiritual impact of illness, injury, or crisis.
We support individuals in their faith traditions and spiritual beliefs, or those with no religious affiliation, to help with the emotional and physical healing process.
We are available for prayer, compassionate listening and caring.
Confidentiality is always maintained, and we serve with unconditional love.
How we help our patients, families & staff
You do not need to be in an emergency situation to ask to speak with a chaplain. Our spiritual team is ready to assist you in your time of need to talk with you, pray with you, discuss your concerns, and/or simply listen as you share your feelings.
We offer:
- Confidential conversations and compassionate, non-judgmental listening and support for staff, patients, and families
- Ongoing and supportive visits
- Prayer service
- Spiritual and emotional support before surgery or during a crisis
- Engaging discussions concerning faith, meaning of life, and/or end-of-life decisions
- Emotional and spiritual support for staff, family members, and loved ones
- Support during times of grief and bereavement
You may wish to seek a chaplain if:
- You are concerned about an upcoming surgery or procedure and need support
- There is a moral or ethical question that you would like to discuss confidentially
- You have questions and would like to talk with someone
- You are wondering where God is in your present situation
- You are afraid and just want someone to be with you
- You would like someone to pray with you
- You would like to receive communion
- You are a staff member who knows of a patient that could use a visit
- You are experiencing stress at home and/or at work and would like to process confidentially your concerns with someone