Carol O'Hara Antrim Area & Musgrave Park Hospitals
I’ve been working in the Chaplain’s Department of these hospitals for two years now. The most of my time is spent in Antrim Area working alongside Rev Eddie McDowell. Eddie has taken on the role of Chaplain during Rev Donald Patton’s moderatorial year.
On the four mornings I am in Antrim I collect the lists giving names of the Presbyterian patients who are happy to receive a Chaplain’s visit. So I will begin to visit with these patients, and in particular those who have come into hospital on the previous day. I will always find out from the patient if they wish me to let their own minister know they are in hospital. Quite often the minister will already know, but more frequently I can make that contact for them. It’s good to have the opportunity to visit with folk soon after their admission and to perhaps have the opportunity to chat, to listen, and to pray with them. It is so important to act, or react, to people as guided by the Holy Spirit, and as I approach each bedside this is my prayer.
As I make my way around the wards, staff members become more familiar and it is good to be able to develop relationships with them where possible.
On two of the mornings in Antrim I am working on my own, but on two mornings Eddie and I share the list which can mean I have some more time to revisit those patients who may be in for a more lengthy stay.
On Wednesday mornings I am in
In both hospitals there is a Sunday morning church service, and every few months I am responsible for that. Numbers at the service vary greatly from week to week depending on whether patients are well enough to leave the ward and sit through a short service. In both hospitals we are blessed to have volunteers from various churches who come to escort patients from the wards.
I want to thank all PW ladies who are reading this report. Your prayers are so important in our work from day to day. Please be assured of that. Also, it’s been good to meet with some of you in your Group meetings or at your annual PW Services. 