Dear Holy Family Hospital Long Term Care Staff:

In the arduous and complex situation you are facing, I wish to thank you for your ongoing dedication as you serve the residents and families of Holy Family Hospital Long Term Care with commitment and compassion.  

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly impacted your community.  I want personally to reach out to you because, together with the faith community of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, I am very grateful for the professional skill and dedication you are showing in this crisis.  Even when tired and exhausted you show your commitment to others with patience and self-sacrifice.  Patients and their families have assuredly felt that with you they have “angels” at their side who are supporting and comforting them.  As Pope Francis has said, you are “silent artisans of the culture of closeness and tenderness.”

In my daily prayers and Eucharist, I especially remember those who have died as well as those who are ill, residents or staff.  You are working heroically in this time of great trial.  I entrust all of you and your efforts to the good Lord.  With God’s grace, may the outbreak be speedily ended. 

For reasons of infection containment and to limit any risk of further transmission, a number of allied services which would normally be in place at Holy Family LTC have had to be temporarily suspended.  Among these are regular onsite spiritual health and pastoral care.  Understandably, difficult choices must be made in the interest of ending this very contagious virus outbreak.  At the same time, emergency spiritual and pastoral care remain in place, so that the dying can be accompanied in their journey to the threshold of eternal life.  I am also very appreciative of all the virtual technology that is being used to support everyone at this time.   

You are doing extraordinary work in difficult circumstances.  May God bless you!

With cordial greetings and the assurance of my prayers for all, I am

Sincerely yours in Christ,

J. Michael Miller, CSB
Archbishop of Vancouver