Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care Workers are available to provide spiritual and emotional support for those who are ill, their families and friends and also for our health system personnel and volunteers.

As part of the total care offered by Calvary Health Care Bethlehem, we are concerned with assisting those in our care to find their own meaning in their illness by providing:

a friendly, comforting presence
respect for each person's beliefs
support and encouragement in their spiritual journey
resourcefulness in dealing with the spiritual/emotional aspects of the illness experience.

Hospital

Pastoral Care Workers are available in the Hospital during the day and evening (8.30am - 8.00pm).

If you would like to see a Pastoral Care Worker ask your nurse to contact the Pastoral Care Department.

Chaplains and Hospital Visitors

A Catholic Chaplain available is in the hospital and an Anglican Chaplin is available on call.

Jewish Hospital Visitors visit regularly.

Other Denominations

If you wish to contact a minister of your own denomination, please make this known to the nursing staff who will contact a Pastoral Care Worker to arrange this.

Ministers of other religions or faiths can be arranged for those who are from a non-English speaking background.

Chapel

The Chapel is situated on the ground floor of the Hospital near the Reception Desk and is open at all times for personal prayer, meditation or simply as a place of quiet.

A Catholic Eucharist is celebrated at 10.30 am each day except Monday and Tuesday.

Ceremony of Remembrance

We invite all carers, volunteers and staff to our Chapel for a time of reflection, healing and friendship. A special time of remembrance is held on the 1st Friday of each month at 2.00pm, except June, when it is held on the 1st Sunday at 2:00pm and December, when it is held on the 1st Friday at 7:00pm. Please ring the Hospital to confirm times.

Outreach Programs

For patients who are cared for in their homes, our outreach services include a Pastoral Care Worker who is available to support the patient, family members or carers by home visitation. This may be arranged by asking your visiting nurse or by contacting the relevant home care program by telephoning the Hospital.

"Some of the greatest times of real Christian service come when all one can do is stand by another in a situation about which one can do nothing except be with the other in love." (R. Hayes CR)