Chaplain services

Who we are

Chaplains at San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS) serve all Veterans and their families of all faith traditions and denominations as well as those seeking non-denominational and non-religious support. Our chaplains provide:

• Non-judgmental listening and comforting presence
• Spiritual support on questions about life, meaning, and purpose
• Advocacy and advice
• Bereavement and grief counseling

What is spiritual care

• Touching other people’s lives by being present, actively listening, and providing empathetic care
• Being with others in their moments of emotional or spiritual crisis or grief for compassionate support
• Allowing a spiritual expert perform a spiritual assessment of one’s needs and questions about life, meaning, and purpose in the midst of uncertainties and doubts
• Helping others become resilient with enduring hope
• Letting others know how deeply valued and respected they are

When do I need to contact a chaplain

• Feeling abandoned or overcome with grief
• Carrying the burden of pain and illness – physical, emotional, spiritual, and psychological
• Undergoing significant life changes
• Facing a life-changing diagnosis and medical intervention (i.e., surgery, dialysis, treatments)
• Confronting conflicts or doubts in my key beliefs
• Managing difficult family situations
• Needing a listening ear
• Losing hope and experiencing frustrations and disappointments
• Having someone to accompany me through prayer and deep reflection

What spiritual care services do chaplains provide

• Visiting patients for emotional and spiritual support
• Being present for conversations about life crises, ethical consultation about treatment, and end-of-life issues
• Extending support for family consultations
• Arranging support groups on spiritual concerns as well as mental health issues and religious questions
• Providing opportunities for worship services, prayer, rituals, and sacraments
• Making available other spiritual care resources such as reading materials for most faith traditions (i.e., Bibles, Torahs, Korans) and spiritual devotionals (i.e., Daily Bread) as well as religious symbols, rosaries, and other religious materials at no cost

What’s the schedule for worship services

• Catholic Masses: Monday to Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. in Main Chapel located in Room 205, Building 7, and Saturday at 3:30 p.m. in CLC First Floor Hall
• Catholic Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick: Upon request by inpatient and outpatient Veterans at San Francisco VA Medical Center
• Protestant Services: Sunday at 10:15 a.m. in CLC Ground Level Hall and 11:00 a.m. in CLC First Floor Hall (a weekday Protestant Service is being planned)

Note: For Veterans who prefer pastors and leaders of their own faith traditions, they can make the request to any chaplain. Contact details will be made available to requesting Veterans to contact them on their own.

Interfaith Chapel

San Francisco VA Medical Center
Building 7
Second floor
Map of San Francisco campus
Hours:  24/7

Contact a chaplain

For more information, please reach out using the contact information below:

• Chaplain Reginald Bradley, , ext. 26335
• Chaplain Nicole Saxon, , ext. 26336
• Chaplain Mario Blas, , ext. 23689
• Chaplain Paulinus Iwuji, Catholic, , ext. 23556