Dignity Health St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital Commemorates Opening of Chapel with Blessing Ceremony

[Photo: Top-SJPVH Chapel Blessing]

CAMARILLO, CA – October 20, 2020 – St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), a member of Dignity Health Central Coast, hosted a blessing today, October 20, to commemorate the opening of its newly constructed chapel. The Most Reverend, Robert E. Barron, Episcopal Vicar of the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region, consecrated and led the first Mass celebration in the new St. John’s Chapel.

Located adjacent to the hospital’s main entrance, and perched between the hospital and its long-term care unit, the new chapel will serve as a place of reflection, prayer and healing. The St. John's Chapel is an inclusive place for patients and community members of all faiths. It boasts double wide doors to accommodate patient beds, so that all can benefit from chapel services.

“The new chapel could not come at a better time. As we continue to navigate through challenging times, this sacred space will serve as a place for reflection, prayer and healing," said Darren Lee, President and CEO of St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital. "We hope the chapel will support the spiritual needs of our patients, visitors and community when they need it the most.”
 
The construction of St. John's Chapel was made possible by the generous contributions of community members and volunteers, as part of the $16 million Circle of Dignity fundraising campaign to support St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital and St. John's Regional Medical Center.

The Borchard family continues their philanthropic heritage in the community with their significant contributions to St. John's Chapel. "This sacred space has been a long held dream of so many," said John and Nancy Borchard. "We give thanks for the beautiful reality now complete. It will be a place where patients, families, staff, and our community find peace and love." 

 

[Photos: Left-SJPVH Cross; Right-The Most Reverend Robert E. Barron]
 
###

About St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital
St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH) is an award-winning hospital in the heart of Camarillo with 50 acute care patient rooms and a 72-bed extended care unit. As a leader in stroke care, SJPVH is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and a recipient of the American Heart Association’s, Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. SJPVH houses Camarillo’s first-ever cardiac catheterization lab. SJPVH’s Emergency Department is accredited as a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit is a Bronze-Level Beacon Award winner. The SJPVH cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for exceptional expertise and patient-centered care. SJPVH is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.