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Gary Pontrelli, MaryAnn Bognar, Terry O'Donnell, & Betsy Potts

Gary Pontrelli, MaryAnn Bognar and Terry O'Donnell are Ignatians West volunteers in the Spiritual Care Department at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard.

They offer patients a spiritual and friendly encounter that conveys they are not alone in their health struggles. Gary lauds the excellent medical care patients receive in the hospital from doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers, as well as the care that recognizes a patient’s emotional well-being and need for spiritual support. He says their work is to bring comfort and hope to Catholic patients embodying the presence of Christ—the divine Physician.

Mary Ann explained how much the patients enjoy the therapy dogs, Winnie and Rocket. She marvels at how the dogs offer the warmth and unconditional affection many patients need while in the hospital.​ As Terry explains, “The presence of the dogs often helps patients momentarily forget their troubles. These furry friends provide a level of comfort that transcends what humans can offer.”

Gary Pontrelli

Gary also tells the story of visiting a patient at St. John's Hospital to bring Holy Communion. "I entered the room, announced my name and the reason for my visit. After a long silence, he said he would like Holy Communion. He lay flat on his back, staring blankly at the ceiling, wrapped in a sheet like a shroud.

"While donning gloves, I asked how things were for him today. Another silence, and then he said, 'I had a dream the other night.' 'Would you like to share it with me?' He blinked, then the floodgates opened. 'I was in the dark, standing outside a church, the one on 3rd Street.' 'Santa Clara Church,' I said. 'Yeah, that one. I had to hurry inside. Something dark was after me. I was scared. When I got inside, Mary was in front of me, in a large circle of light. She took my fear away.' Tears began pooling in his eyes. He chucked the sheet off, uncovering his bare arms and chest, festooned with tattoos. He received Christ in the Eucharist and after another silence, I said, 'Your Blessed Mother Mary was protecting you.' He nodded his assent. I went on, 'Whenever this dark fear pursues you, say aloud, "Jesus, I trust in You. Mother Mary, lead me to your Son."' I repeated this and after the third time, his lips began to move with these words.

"​Honestly, this dream still gives me chills. I, a minister of faith, had been ministered to by this patient.
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Betsy Potts

"As a former high school English teacher, who worked at a Catholic girls’ school for 42 years, I was definitely out of my element when Anne asked me to be a Eucharistic Minister at St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Yet, just as when I taught, I have learned more than I could have imagined.

​"I have learned that in sickness and in suffering our desire for and appreciation of God increases and that we all want to be understood and loved. The patients at St. John’s have taught me much, just as my students did. Indeed, I am blessed."
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Mary Ann Bognar

Mary Ann has been an Ignatians West volunteer for a number of years. In addition to her service in the Spiritual Care Department at St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Mary Ann tutors a seventh-grade girl who relocated to the United States from Afghanistan. They have been working together during the school year for four years, meeting on Zoom twice a week, for 1.5 hours.

This 13-year-old is a very engaged and motivated student and Mary Ann says, "A delight to work with." Besides helping her with homework, they have been able to read required books aloud together, write book reports, and just chat. The student’s English has improved tremendously, but most of all, she has gained tremendous confidence and talks about how much she wants to go to college and become a doctor one day. Mary Ann is thrilled to see that she is going out into the world a confident young woman with skills, ideals and dreams that she knows she can achieve.