The Rev. Gregory Meystrik on Sunday said regardless of the result of the proposed merger between MU Health and St. Mary's Hospital, St. Mary's mission of a "healing power of presence" can continue.
Meystrik spoke during a Mass at St. Mary's Hospital's annual Tree of Love ceremony at the hospital. About 45 people attended.
MU Health and SSM Health, the parent company of St. Mary's, announced in August they were negotiating the possible sale of SSM Health's St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City and Mexico (the former Audrain Medical Center) and their associated clinics.
SSM said St. Mary's is not financially sustainable the way it currently operates, and it plans to leave the Mid-Missouri market.
A local group formed to oppose the proposed merger, saying it would leave Jefferson City without a faith-based hospital and without competition. MU Health already has an affiliation with Capital Region Medical Center, the city's other hospital.
On its website, St. Mary's describes its belief in the "healing power of presence" as more than medicine. "It is how we choose to care for our patients and customers: by taking the time to listen, to understand, to answer questions, to hold hands, or even to pray. These are the moments when we reveal God's healing presence in a powerful and enduring way."
The "healing power of presence" is more than just a belief for St. Mary's; it's the hospital's core mission.
Meystrik recalled other changes that drew reaction from the community, such as when they removed the convent at the old St. Mary's Hospital to make way for a parking lot.
When Zesto's near St. Mary's was taken down, he said people asked how they would survive without the fast-food drive-in being close to the hospital.
When ambulance services were consolidated, resulting in it not being connected with St. Mary's, that, too, caused consternation, he said.
"People thought, 'Oh, my gosh, that change is horrid. It's going to be terrible,'" Meystrik said.
Over the years, our community has faced a lot of change, he said. More change might be on the horizon, he added.
"But the healing power of presence that can be delivered is the same," he said. "The healing power of presence that individually (goes) from physician to patient, from nurse to patient, from health care provider to staff. That can still be the same thing."
Change is often beyond our control, Meystrik said. But he said what each of us can do "is continue in our own individual basis, to spread good cheer and the healing power of presence."
Two years ago, St. Mary's started the Tree of Love program, a fundraiser that allows members of the public to pay $7.50 for a star they can place on the tree in honor of a loved one. Proceeds go toward patient care services. The personalized ornaments can be added to the tree throughout the Christmas season.