For almost 40 years, Father Bob Matysik has been a full-time hospital chaplain in the Diocese of Camden, bringing hope and healing to the sick and their families across South Jersey.
It’s easy to empathize with those in the hospital beds, he says. After all, he’s been in their shoes.
“I was hospitalized for a time, shortly after I was ordained [in 1984],” he shares.
Finding support from the medical professionals who helped him recover, Father Matysik now aims to give back.
“There’s something to it, about a wounded healer, helping others heal – they bond through personal experiences,” he says. “They sympathize and empathize.”
Simply put, Father Matysik can be what he calls “an instrument of God’s help.”
Since his first assignment as hospital chaplain at Kennedy Hospital (now Jefferson) in Washington Township, Father Matysik has ministered at Newcomb Hospital in Vineland, Shore Memorial in Somers Point, and AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in both Atlantic City and Pomona, where he is now.
He is one of 22 priest and associate chaplains of the Diocese, along with countless volunteer extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, providing compassionate pastoral care to Catholics in 17 hospitals and healthcare facilities as part of VITALity Catholic Healthcare Services Diocese of Camden.
On Feb. 26, these dedicated individuals gathered for Mass, breakfast and fellowship at Christ the Redeemer Parish, Atco. The morning’s festivities were sponsored by VITALity.
Joining this group was Deacon Edward Danzi, associate chaplain of Camden’s Cooper University Hospital.
“It’s been a wonderful vocation and gift,” Deacon Danzi says.
Comfort and Consolation
Deacon Danzi, ordained last fall and currently serving at Infant Jesus Parish in Woodbury Heights, has been in hospital ministry for the past three years. The ministry comes after a successful career as a financial adviser, which, he says, “wasn’t what made me get out of bed [anymore].”
While in diaconate formation, one of his classes focused in on the ministry of hospital chaplains. “After hearing this, I knew this was where I wanted to serve God.”
The two clergy chaplains’ roles and responsibilities may differ, but their pastoral hearts beat the same.
Father Matysik, who serves full time, is on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to administer Last Rites or the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to patients in AtlantiCare’s Pomona and Atlantic City campuses. He also hears confessions (Sacrament of Reconciliation), distributes Holy Communion and spends time with patients and their families.
Deacon Danzi is at Cooper from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., setting up patient visit schedules for him and the hospital’s volunteers, taking messages for emergency anointings from priests, and encountering patients and their families at their most vulnerable times.
No matter patients’ situations – whether suffering from a broken bone, following a serious surgery, being treated for cancer, or facing death – he approaches all with the same compassion.
“I spend time with them first, let them tell me what they need, and try to connect with them and bring hope,” Deacon Danzi says.
In his own interactions, Father Matysik knows “my words of comfort and consolation aren’t my own, but [those of] the Holy Spirit.”
Father Matysik also has the same departing line for each encounter. “I tell them that I’ll pray for them, and then I ask them to pray for me. It takes their focus off their own struggles and directs their thoughts elsewhere.”
Witness and Laughter
The two have each had their own unique, memorable encounters.
Deacon Danzi recalls one meeting with a woman going through rough times following a difficult foot surgery. She initially was dismissive of him and the Catholic faith.
“I met her at her lowest, and she told me, ‘Oh, you’re one of them,’” he says. “I didn’t push anything, but [instead] spent time with her, talking about what she wanted to talk about.”
Eventually, a deeper faith relationship formed. These days, Deacon Danzi not only meets with her, but her husband and daughter as well, “to unpack Bible verses.”
“Now, she tells me, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I would’ve walked away from God a long time ago,’” he says.
Father Matysik remembers the light-hearted moments that provided a little levity during extreme grief. He was comforting a family right after the death of a man who was a husband and father. Suddenly, the daughter’s phone rang.
“They were a family of farmers, and her phone went off, sounding like a pig’s grunts,” he recalls. “The daughter then said, ‘That’s dad wanting us to leave,’ and the whole family laughed. Humor does help.”
Self-Care
While serving in a role that includes difficult days, conversations and encounters, the chaplains stress the need to protect and keep solid their own health.
“I’ll meet with my spiritual director, or reflect,” Deacon Danzi says. “It’s the No. 1 thing: If I’m not in top-notch condition, I can’t do my job. I have to make sure I’m taking care of myself mentally, physically and spiritually. If I wake up and have a bad day, I’m no good to my patients.”
For Father Matysik, it’s “exercise, prayer and healthy relationships.”
In their ministries, the two are quick to recognize the true healing hands.
“I’m just the channel. God is the one throwing me into the room, using me as a conduit,” Deacon Danzi says. “It’s a great feeling.”
