Over the past 17 years our Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education was fortunate to have a group of 10-12 per diem chaplains who would rotate as part of our night and weekend on-call rotation. Many of them were graduates of our Clinical Pastoral Education Program. It is with gratitude and some sadness that we say good-bye to them as a group. They have been and will continue to be part of our chaplaincy family. They have taught us so much about religious and cultural diversity, about dedication, and about caring and compassionate ministry. Many patients and family members were blessed to experience their supportive ministry in times of crisis and loss, as well as their worship leadership on Sundays.

We honored our per diem chaplains with a good-bye dinner (that contained story telling, singing, thanksgiving, enjoying food and humor) and with a display outside of our chaplaincy offices. We are hoping that many of the per diem chaplains will continue to be connected to our department and institution, as part of our speakers’ bureau and as rostered professionals.

Thank you to all of you and God bless you on your future journeys.

Rev. Mirjam Berger
ACPE Supervisor, Th.M.
Coordinator of Community Chaplaincy Programs
M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Department of Chaplaincy and Pastoral Education

Per Diem Chaplains have made my life as a staff chaplain much easier.  On to the long nights and weekends that they provided ministry to my patients I was free to take care of myself so that I could be an effective chaplain during my shifts.  Thank you for sheparding my patients.  You have touched my life and the life of my patients and for that I will forever be thankful to you.  May God bless each of you in your lives and ministry.