By Christina Leslie | Staff Writer

Echoing the scriptural passage in which Jesus charges those blessed with much to share those blessings (Luke 12:48), chaplains and pastoral care workers from the four counties of the Diocese gathered Oct. 21 in the Chancery for the annual Chaplain’s Appreciation Lunch where they discussed how their ministry aids others and also enriches their own spiritual well-being.

The luncheon attracted more than 30 guests, half of whom were from other faith traditions, and marked the beginning of Pastoral Care Week in the Diocese of Trenton.

Noting the work of a chaplain is “essential for humanity,” Deanna Sass, director of the diocesan Department of Pastoral Care, expressed her thanks to those assembled.

“You selflessly go into the darkest places of human suffering,” Sass said. “They are places of deep suffering, alienation, pain, despair. Lots of people would rather not enter those hospital rooms or jail cells or police stations.  You are unsung heroes, the voice of compassion, faith, hope and love.”

Father Evarist Kabagambe, parochial vicar in Holy Innocents Parish, Neptune, has served as the full-time hospital chaplain in Jersey Shore Medical Center for four years, and has found he ministers to both patients and staff alike.

“Some might find it very hard to make connections, for people, unless they are very sick, are only there for two to three days,” he noted. “I find it is best to ask them, ‘how can I help you,’ rather than just ‘can I give you Communion.’ Then they will talk.”

“With the staff, though I have an office, might meet with someone in the hallway, behind a nurse’s desk, or just strike up a conversation,” Father Kabagambe continued. “I can build up trust and not make them feel as if they are put on the spot.”

Sister of Mercy Karina Haywood once worked as a chaplain in local prison units, but now assists with training Catholic volunteers to fill that special role. Stressing that an ideal chaplain has to have “open hearts and be willing to go listen” to the prison population, she stressed, “We don’t bring Christ to them, we exchange Christ with them. We are not here to ‘save’ them.”

Father Leon S. Buni, parochial vicar in Christ the King Parish, Long Branch, serves as a hospital chaplain in the shore community’s Monmouth Medical Center at the end of the day as his parish work is done. He explained his preference for the evening visits, saying, “People are calmer when they are with family and friends. I help them pray before they go to sleep.”

Reflecting upon the chaplaincy, Father Buni continued, “This is a beautiful, a very powerful profession. To take care of a patient, you must understand it is not just taking care of their body, but their spirit.”

During the luncheon, the pastoral workers were presented with gift bags filled with resources to aid in self-assessment, books, pamphlets and other literature on Catholics’ specific needs, such as how to teach an individual to pray the Rosary.

Jo-Ann Hoffman, assistant chaplain in Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Hamilton, shared her reasons for attending classes for certification in the chaplaincy, declaring, “I have been given much in my life; now it is time for me to give in return. If you have a purpose, it keeps you well.”

Hoffman also believes her ministry enriches her own spirituality. “To work with the dying, to be with them and their family,” she asserted, “is a special grace.”