Spiritual and Pastoral Services

UMass Memorial Medical Center

Spiritual and Pastoral Care at UMass Memorial Medical Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide spiritual support to patients, their loved ones, and our caregivers. Board-certified chaplains are trained and experienced in providing comfort and religious or emotional care to people of all faiths or no faith. We believe in the importance of spiritual care as an integral part of the healing process. 

The UMass Memorial Department of Pastoral Care offers a ministry of compassionate presence, empathetic listening, spiritual guidance, hope and healing. Chaplains, area clergy associated with our department and Eucharistic Ministers are available for conversation, prayer, counsel, sacraments, services, or sharing sacred texts. Our chaplains also support those dealing with end-of-life, difficult medical decisions, loss and trauma.   

We understand that being a patient, having a physical illness, or caring for a hospitalized loved one can feel overwhelming and complex. It is not unusual to feel lonely, depressed or anxious. Many patients and families find it helpful to have a chaplain or a member of the clergy present to discuss spiritual issues.

The Department of Pastoral Care strives to ensure timely access to spiritual and pastoral care for all, either by the direct service of staff chaplains or by networking with Worcester-area religious and spiritual representatives of all faith groups and denominations. Chaplains are available on the Memorial and University campuses daily from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. Please ask the patient's nurse to submit a chaplain request in the patient’s medical record (Epic) and contact the on-call chaplain for urgent concerns after 6:30 pm. 

To contact the Department of Pastoral Care: call the switchboard at 508-334-1000 and ask the operator to page the chaplain on-call. Office: 774-442-4144. 
 

Chapel/Meditation Services/Programs – University Campus

Catholic Mass: Sundays at 10:30 am and Wednesdays at noon, in the Chapel (first floor near the cafeteria)                          
Ecumenical Service: Tuesdays, noon, Chapel

Jummah Mubarak – Muslim Weekly Friday Prayer: Khutbah at 1:10 pm, Salah at 1:25 pm, Room S7-402 (Medical School)

Chapel/Meditation Services/Programs – Memorial Campus

Catholic Mass: Sundays and Wednesdays at noon, in the Chapel (first floor near the cafeteria)

Chapel/Meditation Services/Programs – Marlborough Campus

Spiritual/Pastoral Care requests on the Marlborough Campus can be facilitated by your nurse. Area Catholic priests are on-call 24/7 for the hospital and you are welcome to invite your own clergy to visit.  

Chapel: Located on the first floor for reflection, meditation and solitude.