Catholic pastoral care in the Diocese of Broken Bay is the ministry of presence, “being with others”, our patients and their families, friends and carers. We also support hospital staff. We provide designated Priests and lay Pastoral Care Practitioners (PCPs) to seven hospitals within the Diocese.
Being in hospital is a unique experience, whether you are a patient or a visitor. It may be a time of anxiety, fear and uncertainty. You may find yourself in a state of transition and start to think more deeply about your life and what is important to you. Whatever situation you find yourself in, sharing your story and feeling listened to with compassion and respect can help ease the burden of illness, help you cope with a sometimes confronting situation and provide a glimpse of new possibilities. Our team provide spiritual and emotional support at significant times of transition, illness, grief or loss. This may include:
- Building relationships
- Listening to life stories without judgement
- Articulating empathy and respect
- Nourishing, sustaining and guiding especially in times of grief and trauma
- Enlivening the spirit
- Engaging a Catholic Priest
- Providing ritual, prayer and sacraments when requested.
New energy surges into a person’s life when someone is truly listening to them ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is hospital chaplaincy and pastoral care?
Who provides hospital chaplaincy and pastoral care?
What might a visit with a Pastoral Care Practitioner look like?
How do I contact a Pastoral Care Practitioner?
Do I need to be Catholic to use this service?
Latest news
Being the face of God in the unknown
The comfort CatholicCare's Pastoral Care team brought during the final months and weeks of my husband's life was beautiful. The Catholic Chaplaincy team became our spiritual family.
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Our Hospital Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care team now extends its service to the new Adolescent & Young Adult Hospice in Manly. CatholicCare provides Hospital Chaplaincy & Pastoral Care (HC&PC) services to seven hospitals, public and private, across our Diocese.
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“My husband, in his prime, was a 6 ft 2, rugby playing, cricket playing sportsman,” says Patricia reflecting on the life of her beloved husband, Kevin who passed away in May. “So, when Peter – a strong man of deep faith - accompanied Kevin in his final weeks, he was exactly what he needed.”
Read MoreHospital chaplaincy continues amongst hospital openings and closures
Late last year the NSW Health Hospitals on the Northern Beaches closed their acute care, mental health and maternity facilities at Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals. Anyone living in the local parishes will be well aware of the changes, talked about for many decades and now completed.
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