â€œSister Connieâ€ Making the Rounds to Comfort Patients at St. Johnâ€™s

Friday, February 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

For Sister M. Constance West, a ten-hour day at 77 year of age is life at its best. Known around the hospital as â€œSister Connie,â€ she's a Catholic nun working in pastoral care at St John Medical Center.

She begins her rounds at St. Johnâ€™s at 8:00 AM with a quick step and clear intentions. West is just one of a dozen nuns at the hospital, one of the eight in pastoral care. Her job takes her into the rooms of the patients, and briefly into their lives. Her patient visits are orchestrated on a daily assignment sheet. Her heart guides her words as she ministers to people of all faiths, and even to those who profess little or no faith al all. â€œWe're all God's people,â€ said West. â€œThey believe God in another way, but they still believe in him, so we take them from their viewpoint of him.â€

West says it is very seldom that she visits patients who don't want a prayer said for them. Most people do, so to them she offers a short prayer and a comforting touch. Patients who are of the Catholic faith also receive communion. â€œIt gives you confidence,â€ said St. Johnâ€™s patient Raymond Darveau.

â€œOften times, people want to know why their health is failing,â€ West said. For that question, she doesn't have an answer, so she listens and tries to convey the power of unwavering faith. â€œThose are hard times for both the family and myself,â€ she said. â€œBut I know deep down that whatever happens to them is God's will and I have to accept that.â€