Caring for the Whole Person
At Seton Medical Center Harker Heights, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care for the whole person. We recognize that our patients have emotional and spiritual needs as well as their physical needs. The Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care provides inclusive spiritual care for patients, families, and associates delivered with compassion and respect for human dignity.
The Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care is led by a Board Certified Chaplain and supported by specially trained volunteer chaplains and Eucharistic ministers. Chaplains are members of the interdisciplinary care team and serve on numerous committees, including the Ethics Committee. Our chaplains are trained in Crisis Management and are able to facilitate during critical situations. Through our network of leadership and volunteer chaplains, there is always someone on call to provide pastoral support.
Description of Services
- Spiritual Assessments
- Crisis Intervention
- Prayer
- Ethical Decision-making
- Religious Sacraments (including anointing, emergency baptism, and communion)
- Daily Eucharistic ministry visits for Catholic patients
- Eucharistic ministry visits available at request for all religious traditions
- End of Life Support
- Eucharistic Minister Training
- Catholic Mass
- Bereavement Aftercare
- Liaison with Community Clergy
Request a Chaplain Visit
For urgent in-hospital needs, please ask your nurse to contact the chaplain on call or dial “0” from a hospital phone to connect with the operator. From outside the hospital, you may request an urgent chaplain visit to a patient by contacting the hospital operator at (254) 690-0900. For all other needs, please contact the office at (254) 680-6279 or email the Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care.
Prayer Requests
The Seton Medical Center Harker Heights Prayer Team is dedicated to praying for our patients, families, and staff as well as any submitted prayer requests. You are welcome to email the Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care with your prayer request for the Prayer Team.
Catholic Identity and Priests
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights is a Catholic Health Care organization, with our Catholic Identity conferred by the Diocese of Austin. We are closely affiliated with St. Paul Chong Hasang parish in Harker Heights and appreciate the support of the area Deanery. Fr. Richard O’Rourke with St. Paul Chong Hasang and area priests are available to our patients and families by request and during times of sacramental need. Mass is offered regularly in the Seton Medical Center Harker Heights chapel. Click here for the chapel schedule.
Community Clergy
We encourage community clergy to visit their hospitalized church members. If you would like to request a visit from a hospital chaplain, please email the Director of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care or call (254) 680-6279. After hours, you can make requests through the hospital operator at (254) 690-0900.
Volunteering
The Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care has many lay and clergy volunteers. These volunteers are specially trained to provide non-proselytizing spiritual care for our patients, families, and associates in these areas:
- Catholic Eucharistic Minister
- Pastoral Care Visitation
- On Call Chaplain
- No One Dies Alone/No One Stays Alone Volunteer (ministry for patients who have limited support while hospitalized)
- Administrative Support
- Prayer for our Hospital and Ministry
To learn more about volunteering with the Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care, please contact the office at (254) 680-6279.