For more than 75 years, St. Joseph Healthcare has been committed to a mission of service for residents of greater Bangor. Here is a quick glimpse at its current important efforts.
Spiritual Care for All
Caring for our community includes providing spiritual care to patients and families. We have chaplains who reach out to those in need and help them cope with illness, hospitalization, stress and sadness.
Tahlia Hadley, director of mission integration and spiritual care, shares, “Our spiritual caregivers are chaplains, ordained ministers and volunteers. They support people of all faiths and backgrounds. Their goal is to lend an ear and help people accept a diagnosis, manage emotional distress and find comfort.”
Blessing Bags
The Blessing Bag Program offers Emergency Department patients the chance to anonymously request a blessing bag. Each bag includes protein bars, lip balm, personal wipes, a toothbrush and full-size toothpaste. In the winter, a hat, gloves and crew socks are added.
“We were happy to fulfill 150 blessing bag requests in 2024,” says Hadley. “Requests have grown in 2025 and we have been glad to meet the need.”
Expanding Community Partnerships
In 2024, St. Joe’s washed 12,078 pounds of bed sheet laundry for local shelters, including the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter. In 2025, the team upgraded its washers and dryers to support even more mission-driven programs.
“We partnered with Partners for Peace, an organization that offers support and safety to anyone affected by domestic abuse,” shares Edward Barrett, manager of environmental services. “We help by washing bedding for transitional housing guests. This aligns with our mission to care for all in our community.”
Caring Always Comes First
We provide spiritual care to all, offer basic blessings and work to expand local partnerships to better serve those in need. St. Joe’s always comes through to care for its community.
