The Chaplain's mission
By Jackie O’Neal
Reverend Monserrat, non-denominational Staff Chaplain at Atlantic Care Regional Medical Center in Pomona recognizes the connection between his former vocation as a locksmith and present one as a Hospital chaplain. “ I found another way to break the bonds and chains to help open hearts to God’s love,” he said. On staff six days a week and on call 24 hours, his daily rounds constitute 30 visits a day and 3,700 visit a year to people of all faiths. At 79, Rev. Monserrat has been ordained 14 years and served at Atlantic Care Regional for the last twelve years. A current resident of Absecon, he retired from his job as a Power house operator at SEPTA in Philadelphia and moved to South Jersey working as a security guard at Resorts. He coveted another position as a locksmith. “ I told the Lord if I got the position, I’d do anything He wanted,” he recalled. Eventually, he eased into locksmithing and his boss invited him to a spiritual gathering hosted by WORD OF LIFE MINISTRIES. “ I was amazed how the pastors there brought the Bible to life,” he said. His passion for the study of Scripture led Monserrat to complete training through Rhema Bible College based in Oklahoma. “Since then I’ve furthered my education by receiving Clinical Pastoral Education and a Ecclesiastical degree from Rhema,” he noted. His wife, an ordained minister who teaches Sunday School at Beacon Church, also completed her studies and graduated along with Rev. Monserrat. On a typical morning, Rev. Monserrat starts his morning at 1 West Psychiatric. “These people need me. If not generally mentally impaired, they are suffering from many types of addictions. “ I tell them: “God Loves you,’’and they are thinking :”What?’ I talk to them about the Lord. I don’t know how many are sincerely interested or just being nice, but that’s not part of my job to know that, my job is to do this work and the Lord knows the difference,” he said. Rev. Monserrat explained the heart of a Chaplain’s role. “The philosophy of a chaplain is to get the patient the clergy of their choice not to proselytize. There are many here with no religon and I’m considered a pastor for people who are “unchurched,” he noted. Monserrat, the father of seven, grandfather of fifteen and great-grandfather of another seven considers the most difficult aspect of his job telling families a loved one has passed away. “No one loves telling a family someone has died. The doctors must do that and I’m usually present when they do. I don’t have to be there, but God gives me the grace to do so,” he said. In situations of loss and grief, Rev. Monserrat practices listening deeply. “Recently, I had two young children in a tragic, tragic situation. There is such a thing as ministry of presence- just being there and listening to show your love,” he said. When asked how many volunteers serve on the Pastoral Care team, his response is incisive: “Not enough. In twelve years, I’ve trained 200, but I don’t have enough now and to try to do this alone would be frustrating,” he said. Monserrat’s Pastoral Care volunteers are the only ones in the hospital permitted to pray with the sick. “We see people healed here,” he said. Because Rev. Monserrat serves people of all faiths, he also calls upon several Rabbis and other ministers who are available to help. “Denominations don’t mean very much to me. I respect all faiths,” he said.