Chaplaincy
Spiritual Care at Boston Children’s Hospital
Spirituality is an expression of the universal human need to make meaning and create a purposeful life, to find hope, to express love and to feel connection. Religion is one of the many “languages” of spirituality, but by no means its only expression.
Chaplains are here to listen, accompany and bear witness to the joys, sorrows and hopes of children and families. We are available for prayer, blessings, rituals and religious needs. Chaplains engage and foster the spirituality present in playfulness, beauty, storytelling, nature, movement, mindfulness and community.
During difficult situations, children and families may feel challenged and may ask questions they have never asked before. Visiting with a chaplain offers a space for patients and caregivers to explore how they are making meaning of their experience.
We nurture the human spirit in all people. Chaplains affirm children’s spirituality and offer care that is developmentally appropriate. It is our honor to support children and families in ways that are most helpful to them.
What we do
• listen compassionately and confidentially
• accompany and advocate
• partner with caregivers and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams
• support spiritual practices and religious observances
• provide worship services and sacraments
• facilitate rituals, spiritual support groups and mindfulness teaching
• consult on religious, spiritual and ethical questions
• pray, bless and share hope
Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide spiritual care and support to children, families, caregivers and staff that cultivates healing, wholeness, and honors the dignity of each person.
| Chaplaincy staff | Faith/Tradition | Phone number |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbi Susan Harris, Director, MHL, BCC |
Jewish | 617-355-8095 |
| Rev. Ann Haywood-Baxter, MDiv, BCC |
United Methodist Church | 857-218-4780 |
| Roman Catholic | 617-355-4635 |
|
| Shannon Kin, MDiv, BCC | Roman Catholic | 617-355-4775 |
| Imam Ibrahim Sayar, MA |
Muslim | 857-218-5238 |
| Rev. Michele Torres, MA, MDiv, LMHC, BCC |
Episcopal (Spanish speaking) |
617-355-7729 |
| Melissa Vela, MDiv, BCC |
Roman Catholic |
617-919-4398 |
Rev. Ross Goodman, DMin (night chaplain)
Rev. Beth Loomis, MDiv (weekend and night chaplain)
Hobson Louis, MDiv (per-diem chaplain)
Contact us
Call the page operator at 617-355-6363. Ask for a chaplain to be paged. A nurse can also page for you.
Directory
A directory of local churches, synagogues and mosques with phone numbers and websites is available in the chapel or online at the Pluralism Project, Harvard University.
Scheduled Worship Times
*Please note: chapel services and Friday prayer are on hold until further notice.
Check announcements of the chapel door for details and times of weekday services, including Vipassana “Insight “ meditation and weekday Roman Catholic Communion services.
Buddhist
- Vipassana “Insight “ Meditation, Wednesdays at 8 a.m. in the chapel
- Meditation cushions available for your use at all times
Jewish
- Sabbath candle lighting times
- Local resources for the Jewish community
- Special events for Sukkoth, Passover and other Jewish holidays
Muslim
- Boston prayer schedule
- Multi-faith chapel (with prayer rugs and Qibla) open at all times for daily prayer
- Juma prayer on Fridays at 1 p.m. in the Patient Entertainment Center (PEC)
- Special events for Ramadan and other holy days
Protestant
- Services scheduled for special holidays
Roman Catholic
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in the chapel, Communion service followed by the rosary
- Special services for Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Eve
Contact us
For more information about our spiritual care services and interfaith chapel, please contact us:
Phone: 617-355-8095
Email:
Rabbi Susan Harris
Director, Department of Chaplaincy
Address:
Boston Children's Hospital
Chaplaincy Department
Farley Building, First Floor, #106
300 Longwood Avenue Boston, MA 02115
