Chaplain Edith "Edie" Downes is an integral member of the healing team at St. Mary Mercy Healthcare Center in Dyer.

She provides pastoral care to patients daily, on average 20, talking about their situation, where they are on their spiritual journey and how they feel about what's going on in their lives.

"The spiritual aspects of what's of importance to them at the time or affecting them at the time," she said.

"A lot of time I've found when people are in the hospital what they are experiencing physically is related to what's going on stress-related, emotional or related to grief in their lives. When they are here in the hospital a lot has preceded their visit and brought on stress and anxieties."

Downes is available to help during times of crisis -- severe trauma, death and hospital codes.

"We go to all crisis. We are there to support the family in any way we can as the patient goes through the physical trauma they are experiencing," she said.

Downes, a full time chaplain at the south campus, received a Master of Arts degree in pastoral studies from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. She has four units of clinical pastoral education and completed extensive certifications through Association of Catholic Chaplains.

She said it is her own relationship with God that gets her through difficult days, when she meets with someone who has given up hope, tried to commit suicide or come in with drug overdose. Her faith also drives her to continue this special ministry work.

"It gives me a sense of peace, satisfaction," she said. "This is the Lord's work. I'm in some way being present to people and being a comfort to them as Jesus would be if he were physically here."

Downes and her husband Pat, live in Schererville and have two children and two grandchildren. They are members of St. Thomas More parish in Munster.

By Sue Bero, Times Correspondent

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