Bishop Slawomir Szkredka Visits Marian Regional Medical Center

Marian Regional Medical Center (MRMC) had the honor of hosting Bishop Slawomir Szkredka on Wednesday, Nov. 20. 

The Bishop's visit underscored the importance of spiritual care and the enduring partnership between the hospital and the local faith community.

The day commenced with a meeting between Bishop Szkredka, a native of Poland who’s been a priest with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles for 23 years, and MRMC's dedicated Spiritual Care staff. This discussion focused on the vital role of spiritual support in patient well-being and the ongoing collaboration between the hospital's chaplaincy services and the wider religious community.  

“What are the biggest challenges that are facing you, that are facing the hospital?” Bishop Szkredka asked. Members of the Spiritual Care staff responded that they are tasked each day to meet the spiritual needs of a diverse and growing population on the Central Coast. 

A highlight of the visit was the Mass led by Bishop Szkredka, attended by staff, patients, and members of the community. The service provided a moment of spiritual renewal and highlighted the hospital's commitment to providing holistic care.

Bishop Szkredka told those congregated at Mass that the duties of those who are Catholic are to "evangelize and serve.” 

“We evangelize, but we also serve. We take that love that we receive and, we cannot contain that love, we have to share it with others,” the Bishop said. “...We serve the poor, we serve the sick, we serve the elderly. We take Jesus’ love and charity and bring it to others. And I think the hospital ministry, in a very concrete way, is an extension of this duty and this mission that we as Christians have – to bring Jesus’ healing touch to those who need it most.”

Concluding his visit, Bishop Szkredka met with MRMC's leadership team for a productive exchange on the hospital's ongoing mission and future plans. The discussions reinforced the shared commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care within a supportive and faith-affirming environment. The visit served as a reminder of the enduring importance of faith and spiritual well-being in the healing process.

"It is with immense gratitude and joy that we welcomed Bishop Szkredka to Marian,” said Sue Andersen, the President and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center. “His presence is a powerful testament to the shared values of faith, compassion, and service that bind our hospital and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. We are deeply honored by his visit and the opportunity to share this special moment with our dedicated staff and the community we serve.

To learn about the history of Marian Regional Medical Center, click here.