Spiritual Care Week – honouring our pastoral carers

17 October 2022

17 Oct 2022

Spiritual Care Week - honouring our pastoral carers

“We may all accept that we are physical, intellectual, emotional, social beings, but often the notion that we are spiritual beings, is overlooked.” – Gabrielle, Pastoral Care Practitioner.

October 23-29 is Spiritual Care Week (Pastoral Care Week), a time to acknowledge the important work of spiritual caregivers.

The theme for 2022 is ‘Relevant and Responsive in Times of Crises’, highlighting the critical work of pastoral carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For-purpose Catholic organisation VMCH has 21 Pastoral Care Practitioners (PCP) who support residents, clients and their families across its aged care residences, affordable homes and disability services.

Arranging online Masses for isolated residents, FaceTime with loved ones, and providing a listening ear were just some of the ways PCPs helped lift residents’ spirits and keep them connected to their faith during lockdown.

PCP Gabrielle works at respite and specialist end-of-life care home, O’Neill House, which remained open (under strict protocols) during lockdowns so families could be with loved ones in the palliative stage.

PCP Gabrielle in the chapel at O’Neill House

“I became acutely aware during this time of how essential family and close friends are at the end of life,” she says. “The use of technology and having a safe outdoor environment in which to gather also brought great comfort to many residents and their families.”

Palliative comfort care is an integral part of the work of VMCH PCPs, supporting residents, their families and fellow staff and volunteers during this most sacred time of life.

Gabrielle describes “making connections and building trust” as the most rewarding part of her role.

Her diverse experience working in humanitarian overseas aid and training as an end-of-life Doula and an Independent Funeral Celebrant have given her a great insight into the importance of spiritual care, and accepting death.

“What concerns me most, is that some among us live our lives avoiding and never contemplating the notion that death is a part of life and we will die one day. The risk, therefore, is that some may move toward their end of life without fully expressing themselves to their loved ones, sharing words, that in some cases, have been long awaited.”

Special family blessings offered by PCPs at O’Neill House also provide great comfort to many families, Gabrielle says, sharing the below from a family who took part in a blessing for their dad.

There was no pressure, and we could be involved as we wished. We blessed different parts of my father’s body … and we mentioned something we were grateful for in dad’s life. When there were tears, they were mostly tears of gratitude and leave taking. We later said we felt light and happy. The ritual helped us say ‘thank you, and goodbye’.

VMCH would like to thank Gabrielle and all PCPs across Australia for the incredibly important work they do each and every day.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.