In 2015, I was serving as a hospital chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Stockton, California. My job could be a bit overwhelming as my Catholic employer required their chaplains to visit every newly-admitted patient.
So, as I approached the end of my shift one afternoon, I was in a hurry as I pushed open the last door on the 3rd floor ward.
That’s where I found an elderly female patient lying in a darkened room. I spoke to her, but she seemed to be under heavy sedation. Since I couldn’t offer much support, I made a retreat pivot in hopes of ending a long day…