Sr. Pat Belongia, Director of Spiritual Services at Ministry Our Lady of Victory Hospital, is retiring. Her many duties have included assuring a strong spiritual service presence for patients on a daily basis, coordinating spiritual care of patients of all faiths, participating in the area ministerial group, and visiting residents of The Home place and other assisted living homes every week.
She has been the leader of the MOLVH Prayer Team. She has coordinated an annual Christmas Memorial Service each year for family members who have lost loved ones throughout the year and this their first Christmas without them. She served on the board of directors for both MOLVH and Ministry Saint Michael’s Hospital in Stevens Point.
Sr. Pat came to MOLVH in 1997 shortly after the affiliation with Ministry Health Care. According to Cindy Eichman, hospital president, “Sr. Pat was instrumental in helping the community hospital transition to a Catholic Hospital and member of Ministry Health Care.” Prior to coming to Stanley, Sr. Pat served at a Ministry Hospital in Estherville, Iowa.
Eichman said, “We will never be able to replace Sr. Pat’s daily presence. She was such a gift for each of us and was one of only a few remaining Sisters that was still working. The Spiritual Services leadership at MOLVH will be integrated with St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield and we are pleased to announce that Randy VanDeLoo, Chaplain, has agreed to share his time between MOLVH and St. Joseph’s in Marshfield to provide local spiritual support.”
Sr, Pat is a member of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, the order that has been the sponsor of Ministry Health Care. She has been a member for 66 years and celebrated her 60th Jubilee in 2008. After her retirement, Sr. Pat will be moving to Franciscan Courts in Oshkosh to live with other retired congregation members.
The public is invited to an open house to celebrate her service on Sunday, April 27, 2014, in the Hospital Atrium from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments with music by Jerry Teclaw. A phot booth is being provided as a gift from MOLVH Leaders so that those who attend can provide their picture to Sr. Pat in a photo book keepsake.
