News
Columbia Catholic Hospital Ministry
“It starts with showing up,” stated Deacon Berendzen, coordinator for Columbia Catholic Hospital Ministry.
“Just being present is often more important than what we say or do,” he said. “Being present opens the door to letting God work through us.”
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight appointed Deacon Berendzen, who also assists the pastor of St. Francis Xavier parish in Taos, to the full-time Columbia position shortly after ordaining him to the permanent diaconate this spring. His work is supported by donations to the Catholic Stewardship Appeal (CSA).
Deacon Berendzen and longtime hospital chaplain Deacon Gene Kazmierczak visit patients in five Columbia facilities: the University of Missouri Hospital (including the Missouri Orthopedic Institute), Boone Hospital Center, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Landmark Hospital and Rusk Rehabilitation Center.
-Catholic Missourian