Rev. Vickie Hedlund
The past few months have brought both changes and blessings to our Pastoral Care Department. In December, Rev. Stan Scoville retired after more than 10 years of service as a per diem chaplain. Stan was a valued member of our team and he will be missed.
Joining us to fill Stan’s role is Robert Grant of Great Valley. Originally from Waycross, Ga., he earned a Bachelor of Theology degree from Evangelical Christian University in Monroe, La. He spent 20 years in the United States Navy, serving at various locations around the nation and world. He was Senior Pastor of New Life Fellowship in Attica for 11 years, and has spent the last seven years as a pulpit supply pastor for Valley Christian Assembly. Welcome to the team Robert!
The rise in the number of patients requesting pastoral care has been very surprising so far this year. Last week there were between 55 and 60 people every day on the visitation list. Those numbers are the highest I have seen in over 12 years with the department. There has also been an increase in requests for the resources we provide, such as Bibles, devotionals, rosaries, etc. Because of this, we are very thankful for the overwhelming support we receive from the community.
When Frank Wilson, lay pastor for Christ United Methodist Church and per diem chaplain at OGH, heard about the need for Bibles he met with the Outreach Committee of the church and they have purchased cases of Bibles for us. In addition, Gideon International donates cases of New Testaments and Psalms. Our Daily Bread Ministries donates cases of devotionals, and a yearly grant from the Dr. Lyle F. Renodin Foundation and the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany helps with the purchase of Catholic Bibles and rosaries.
We were very thankful for a donation from Olean First Baptist Church in December and Greater Olean Area Churches contributes half the annual cost of the per diem Chaplain salaries. I would be amiss not to mention those in the community who donate their time and talents to our ministry. Southern Tier Quilters and a couple of private individuals make and donate beautiful quilts and tied fleece blankets to be given to patients. These are especially appreciated by cancer patients and the elderly, to ward off the winter chill.
In December, students from Olean Middle School made tied fleece blankets and brought them to the hospital. Currently, we have six volunteer Eucharistic Ministers who bring Communion weekly to Catholic patients and we are very thankful for the local Priests who, when called, come to anoint the very ill.
This week, as we celebrate St. Valentine’s Day and our love for others, it seems like the perfect time to express the immense gratitude we have for all of our supporters. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts.