Hospital Ministry Brings Christ and Community to Patients in Need

When John Merced and his wife joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, John hadn’t intended to become involved with the Hospital Ministry.

“I never wanted to do it,” he says. “I avoided it. But the Holy Spirit kept calling.”

Having had half a dozen people approach him and ask if he’d consider serving in the ministry, John eventually responded to the call, pondering whether God might ultimately be the one calling him to it. John asked God that if he was meant to pursue this call, to give him a clear sign.

When John arrived at his first patient in the hospital, the woman didn’t want to receive the Eucharist. Ready to turn around and leave, John felt the need to stay.

“Something told me to stop,” he says. “I went back, cracked a joke, and she smiled.”

The two of them began chatting and found a significant amount of common ground. More than half an hour later, the patient agreed to receive the Eucharist. When John got up to leave, she pulled him in for a hug. She shared with John that, prior to his visit, she was in a bad place and praying to God for a sign that things would be alright.

“I left floating on a cloud,” John says. “It was a signal that God was telling me, ‘This is your calling to do this.’ It’s been stories like that ever since. Now I’m the coordinator — I don’t know how I fell into that position, but that’s a blessing.”

Being a retired police officer and EMT, John was familiar with the hospital setting and knows the importance of visitors to patients in need. He also had a certain affinity for serving the seniors he met while working, who often were alone and forgotten.

The Hospital Ministry involves bringing the Eucharist to patients at the AdventHealth hospital. But it also involves ministry members visiting and spending time with those they see. It’s not uncommon for them to make friends along the way.

A few months ago, John encountered a man who was dying of cancer and was depressed. In his final weeks of life, the two men went for coffee, talking and reminiscing together. The man told John that the cancer didn’t bother him as much since they began their visits.

“I get that all the time — ‘I’m doing better since that day you were here,’” says John. “I always try to connect and leave them with a smile.”

The Hospital Ministry has seen some struggles due to the hospital not being Catholic in nature, and at times not supporting the ministry. John encourages parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton to pray for more hospital support towards the ministry.

“They don’t understand the Eucharist,” he says. “You don’t realize, it’s not just walking in and out. It takes a lot out of you when you’re trying to give your heart and soul.”

The process for becoming a ministry member is quite extensive, given the vulnerability of those they serve. Members must also undergo training to become Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion in order to distribute Communion.

For more information about the ministry, or to get involved, please contact John Merced at 732-778-0363.

John Merced visiting the hospital on Christmas Day