The Valley Hospital’s Spiritual Care Department provides spiritual and emotional support to help patients and families of all faiths – as well as those not identifying with any specific belief system – find meaning, courage and hope.
The Marron Spiritual Care Center
The Marron Spiritual Care Center, on the first floor of the hospital lobby, is always open for prayer, meditation or quiet reflection. Roman Catholic Mass is celebrated in the chapel at 11 a.m. daily. A wide selection or religious literature is also available.
Professional Chaplains
Our Chaplains represent a variety of faiths and can facilitate any religious, cultural or ritual needs:
- Rev. Mason Jenkins, BCC – Supervisor of Spiritual Care; board-certified Interfaith Chaplain with a Masters of Divinity
- Chaplain Donna Gormley, BCC - board-certified Interfaith Chaplain with a Masters of Theology
- Fr. Mert Codero – Roman Catholic Priest Chaplain
- Fr. Stephen Toth – Roman Catholic Priest Chaplain
- Rabbi Avrohom Marmorstein – Jewish Chaplain
Services Provided
- Chaplains on call 24/7 to service people from all backgrounds in crisis
- Faith-specific religious guidance
- Prayer and sacramental assistance
- Communion
- Emotional counseling
- Support for people making difficult decisions for themselves or loved ones
- Religious workshops
- Religious literature of all types including Bibles and interfaith prayer booklets
- Outreach to local clergy and religious communities
Additional Resources for Jewish Patients
Kosher meals certified by the Volover Rov (Rabbi N. E. Teitlebaum) and the Vaad of Staten Island; dairy meals are Chalav Yisrael and meat meals are Glatt- Additional kosher meals for family members (one free in Mother/Baby and Pediatric units; others at cost)
- Two kosher pantries stocked by Chesed 24/7 with snacks, beverages and religious reading material
- On Shabbat: juice, challah and battery-operated candles (through Spiritual Care) and assistance for families in need of lodging (through Patient and Family Relations)
- Holiday celebrations: Rosh Hashanah – apples and honey, and blowing of the shofar; Sukkot – sukkah on premises; Passover – matzo available
Additional Resources for Muslim Patients
- Prayer rugs and religious literature
- Assistance washing before prayer and locating Qibla