Memorial Health System of East Texas Opens New Chapel

LUFKIN, November 19, 2009 - It can be a place to seek peace, comfort, or just a few minutes of silence.  Memorial Health System of East Texas is helping to fill the spiritual needs of its patients and guests with the opening of its new chapel.

“Although we have always had a chapel, its previous location was not convenient for all the families visiting loved ones in the hospital,” said Jackie York, Director of Guest Services at Memorial Health System of East Texas.  “The new chapel is not only updated but is located more conveniently for our guests and their loved ones.”

The new chapel, which is located on the Memorial Medical Center—Lufkin campus, is located near the entrance/exit of the Cardiovascular and Stroke Center’s garden.  The chapel has benches, a kneeling bench, and book shelving, which was all handmade by Jim Hornbuckle, an employee of Memorial Health System of East Texas.  There are also Bibles available for guests while visiting the room. 

The chapel is open seven days a week/24 hours a day.  However, Morning Prayer is held at 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday with Brother Billy Jackson, the Chaplain at Memorial Health System of East Texas.  Brother Billy also leads a Devotion Service each Sunday at 10 a.m.  A Roman Catholic Mass is held on Wednesdays at Noon with Father Bill Slight and Father Paul Rainville of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church.