Faith groups come together to celebrate opening of new Sacred Space at LGH
The North Shore’s multi-faith communities came together this week at Lions Gate Hospital to help celebrate the official opening and blessing of the hospital’s new Sacred Space.
In attendance and offering blessings and prayers were members from the Squamish and Tsleil Waututh First Nations, Jewish, Ismaili Muslim, Sikh, Anglican, Roman Catholic, United Church and Baptist faiths.
The official opening and blessing of the new Sacred Space at LGH.
“We are grateful to have this Sacred Space at Lions Gate Hospital set apart for emotional and spiritual nurturing of all who seek refuge and solace amidst the spiritual distress and pain,” says Rev. Andres Rebane, LGH Spiritual Health Practitioner, Chaplain.
Religious and cultural diversity
“It was wonderful to see our community’s cultural and religious diversity represented in one space with a unifying intent and prayers for a place of healing, reconciliation and hopefulness for patients, their loved ones and staff. What a reason to be thankful!”
Yasmin Alibhai and Hanif Mawji gave blessings from the Ismaili Muslim faith.
As Granthi Jasbir Singh of the Sikh faith noted in his blessing, a good and beautiful intent is an important component that makes a space most beautiful, even beyond any construction or material can accomplish, says Andres.
“I believe we were able to see a glimpse of the beauty of the Coastal Community at the service as we came together with prayers for the healing and wholeness and peace of the souls in the community.”
The new Sacred Space is part of Phase 1 of the expansion, redesign and redevelopment of the planned Outpatient Care Centre. The redevelopment of the OCC is part of the LGH Foundation’s the LGH NOW Campaign, which also includes a redesigned atrium.
United Church Rev. Philip Newman blesses the new Sacred Space.
“We are thankful to all the donors who contributed into creating the new LGH Sacred Space. We appreciate our LGH and VCH leadership to recognize and value the spiritual dimension of healing and of patient care,” says Andres.
LGH campus has 4 Sacred Spaces
The multi-faith Sacred Space inside the main hospital is one of four such spaces on the LGH Campus. These spaces are for all people seeking a space for prayer, meditation or supportive spiritual services. They include the HOpe Centre’s Sacred Space, Evergreen House’s Prayer and Meditation Room and the North Shore Hospice’s Sacred Space.
For more information on Spiritual Care, contact Rev. Andres Rebane at Andres.rebane@vch.ca.
Audrey Rivers, Margaret George, Wendy Charbonneau and Deacon Rennie Nahanee offer a First Nations blessing.