Five members of the St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle Pastoral and Spiritual Care Team (Justine, Ray, Rebecca, Steve and Beth) and Fr Alejo Despacio Jr participated in 40 hours of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) training over 3 months with Reverend Canon Roger Zorab (Deputy President of the NSW College of Clinical Pastoral Education), Anglican Chaplain and Pastoral Care Coordinator at John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle.

This course involved a deeper dive into Pastoral Care, Active Listening, Awareness, Grief and Loss, Health and Illness and Care as Community.

Reverend Roger facilitated superbly. Course participants were challenged to improve their Pastoral skills through reflective listening and reminded of the importance of ‘presence’.

The team says the course highlighted the crucial role of the Pastoral and Spiritual Care Team and provided a wonderful opportunity for the team to develop and reflect on their skills.

“We all communicate with our head, our heart and our soul. In Pastoral Care, we are more concerned with the heart and soul messages – ‘To be, rather than to do’. We learnt ways of responding to what’s being shared, that draws out emotions rather than shutting them down. Our vulnerability is a strength allowing us to be in the moment with another, to feel and show empathy for their situation whilst not being drawn into it,” the team reflects.

“It was a real check-in to who we are, what we do and why we do it. CPE skills do make a difference to people, in small and in big ways. Our presence allows others to be seen and heard. Pastoral Care isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating a space where people feel heard, valued, and supported in their struggles.”

“We understand that undivided attention gives witness to God’s compassionate presence. We are grateful to Roger, Anne and our leadership team for supporting us in this training.”

The NSW College of Clinical Pastoral Education is a Member Institute of the Sydney College of Divinity, a University College.

Above: Left, Steve Jenkins and, right, Roy Fleissgarten receive their CPE certificates from Reverend Roger Zohrab.