HIS HOLINESS CATHOLICOS ARAM I VISITS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

10/13/2011

LOS ANGELES, ANTELIAS – On Thursday, October 13, 2011, H.H. Catholicos Aram I visited Children’s Hospital Los Angeles where he blessed patients, staff, and the newly opened Anderson Pavilion.

Upon their arrival, His Holiness and entourage, comprised of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and Councils members, were welcomed by State Senator Kevin de Leon, Rev. Dagmar Grefe, Manager of the Department of Spiritual Care and Clinical Pastoral Education, and Gail Margolis, Vice-President of Government Relations and Public Policy at Children’s Hospital.

His Holiness was ushered to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where he blessed a newborn Armenian baby and the baby’s family.

His Holiness was then escorted to a reception hosted by the Hospital in his honor. Ms. Margolis formally welcomed His Holiness and expressed what an honor it was to have him there. She then welcomed State Senator de Leon who sais that he was “humbled and honored to have His Holiness at this amazing hospital”. He shared with His Holiness that he considered his presence as “an amazing gift” and expressed his appreciation for the Pontiff’s decision to “bless this hospital with his presence”. Senator de Leon also praised the area’s Armenian-American community whose “accomplishments have contributed so much to the rich tapestry of the region”. Shushanna Sarkissyan, and Armenian staff nurse, also shared her appreciation to the Pontiff for visiting and shared how very proud she was to have him there. Rev. Dagmar expressed her appreciation too and stressed how important it was to have such an important religious figure visit their hospital.

His Holiness then addressed saying, “in 10 minutes, I was able to discern two things, the interaction between medical care and pastoral care”, and said “that is the way it should be. These two together enrich and compliment each other”. His Holiness said he admired that “staff and family members were together and that the sense of community and service was evident. Service of our community is at the heart of our and all religions”, said His Holiness, and directed the faithful to “serve humanity without discrimination”.

Before leaving the hospital, His Holiness also blessed and gifted a special Pontifical commemorative cross to a young patient.

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