For patients experiencing dark times in hospital, visiting chaplains are a shining beacon of hope.
Carinity's volunteer chaplains provide spiritual care for patients, their family and friends and, on occasion, hospital staff members.
Don McPherson oversees the Carinity Hospital Chaplaincy program. He started attending
hospitals while a church pastor and has continued offering spiritual care to patients for almost two decades.
"Being in hospital is a challenging experience for anybody. We often receive a call from medical, nursing or social work staff requesting a chaplain visit a patient experiencing
difficulties," Don said.
"Folk talk about every topic under the sun - including spiritual matters. A person who can give time to tune into a patients' spiritual condition, or help people connect with spiritual resources for walking through such times, is deeply appreciated.
"Some people want to process spiritual issues during their time in hospital. A small number will
be told they are facing the end of their life and want to make their peace with God and others.
"Finally, hospital can be just plain lonely and if someone can bring some personal, human contact, it is often greatly appreciated."
Carinity chaplains presently visit eight south-east Queensland hospitals each week and
provide call-out contacts for more than a dozen hospitals.
Additional relationships are being developed with other hospitals including one in north Queensland.
While the service receives no Government funding, Carinity is committed to further expanding our hospital chaplaincy program. Our 10-year vision is to place a minimum of two part-time
chaplains in every major hospital across Queensland.
You can partner with Carinity to place more chaplains in more hospitals - and to support
more people in need during dark times.
Donations to the Carinity Chaplains Appeal will allow emerging hospital chaplains to complete a Certificate IV in Pastoral Care & Chaplaincy course, which costs around $4,000 per person. They also assist with the cost of other training, travel, hospital parking fees, and administration.
"Chaplaincy copies what Jesus did: He came to where people were hurting and ministered His mercy. Chaplains go to where people and those around them are suffering. Your donation helps us continue this vital service."
Donations of $2 or more to help continue the work of Carinity, are tax deductible and can be made at carinity.org.au/donations
