Living with connection, meaning and hope
Pastoral Care seeks to meet spiritual needs by accompanying our residents and clients through listening as they share feelings of joy, sorrow, pain, fear and hope. The aim is to provide a healing and reconciling presence that honours the person’s beliefs, values and preferences. This care recognises the attitudes of contemporary Australian society.
We provide a team of professional and inclusive Pastoral Care Coordinators who deliver spiritual care on life’s journey regardless of background, faith or belief system.
Our services include
- Exploring life’s meaning and purpose
- Grief and loss support
- Spiritual distress care
- Cultural, religious and spiritual needs
- Addressing spiritual isolation
- Family concerns and aged-care transition guidance
- Liturgy, ritual and prayer/reflection
- Integration with Palliative Care
- Ethical discussions
- Provision of the Sacraments of Anointing and Holy Communion
Pastoral Care is a fundamental ministry in the Catholic Tradition and an integral part of our Residential Aged Care and Home Care Services teams.
Our approach to pastoral care
Presence:
Being alongside you, wherever you are
Companionship:
Listening deeply and walking beside you
Reflection:
Facilitating prayer, rituals and meaningful reflection
Connection:
Linking you with faith communities, volunteers and social groups
Three ways to access pastoral care with us
We offer flexible pastoral care options tailored to your circumstances:
Wherever you are, our team walks beside you with compassion and clarity.
Want to learn more about pastoral care support?
If you or a loved one would benefit from pastoral care, or if you’d simply like to understand more about what’s involved, we’re here to help.
Support for families and carers
We provide support to families and carers in the ways below:
- Compassionate grief-and-loss guidance, with referrals to professional counselling
- Restorative respite-day reflections and family prayer gatherings
- Pastoral-led assistance and advocacy through aged-care transitions
What do Pastoral Care Practitioners do?
Pastoral Care Practitioners respond to the spiritual and emotional needs of people. We visit anyone seeking support and provide a listening ear in a non-judgemental manner. As people meet challenges and search for meaning in their life, we are here to offer support and encouragement. We comfort those who are sick, lonely, marginalised and isolated, as well as those who have feelings of hurt, disappointment or guilt. When requested, we help connect people with spiritual groups (such as local church or faith groups) and/or social groups. We support carers of those who are ill and, at times, liaise with clinical teams to integrate spiritual care into the overall wellbeing plan.
Pastoral Care frequently asked questions
-
1. What is Pastoral Care?
Pastoral care is available to help people who are facing physical, social, emotional or spiritual challenges. It is part of our commitment to care for the whole person, and can support everyone—from all walks of life, whether they be from a faith tradition or not.
-
2. Is Pastoral Care religious?
Pastoral Care is non-denominational and welcomes everyone, regardless of faith or belief. Our Practitioners focus on your spiritual (broadly defined) and emotional well-being without any religious agenda. We simply offer a compassionate, non-judgmental listening ear and practical support, wherever you are on your personal journey.
-
3. What will the Pastoral Care cost?
Pastoral Care is available at our Residential Aged Care Homes and Home Care Services clients through Home Care Packages (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) government funding.
-
6. Who will provide my care?
Pastoral Care Practitioners visit anyone seeking support and provide a listening ear, in a non-judgemental manner.
Latest news in our home care services
Acknowledgement of Country
Catholic Healthcare acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work, and care. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and honour the enduring connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.