Spiritual and Pastoral Care Volunteers with Catholic Healthcare
An opportunity that may be of interest to parishioners/community members who feel called to care for and accompany older people, particularly through volunteering and pastoral presence.
Volunteers play an important role in offering comfort and companionship, supporting Catholic Healthcare residents’ emotional and spiritual wellbeing during difficult moments. As a volunteer, you'll provide meaningful support that honours the spiritual preferences of older residents in our homes. Our pastoral care service concentrates on healing, reconciliation, and nurturing the soul — particularly during times of grief, loss, or personal difficulties.
Pastoral care is a vital part of Catholic Healthcare, and we welcome and respect a diversity of religious and spiritual beliefs. Each of our homes is supported by a dedicated Spiritual and Pastoral Care Coordinator who provides guidance to volunteers and oversees that care is delivered with compassion, respect, and sensitivity.
Spiritual Care Series
Experience the deep fulfilment that comes from giving back and walking alongside others as they progress through life. As a Spiritual and Pastoral Care Volunteer with Catholic Healthcare, you’ll offer compassion, connection and presence to those who need it most. We’ll support you every step of the way with quality training and guidance through our 8-episode Spiritual Care Series — equipping you with the skills and confidence to make a meaningful difference.
Program Overview
Catholic Healthcare will be offering the Spiritual Care Series, a Christian-based program designed to equip and empower those who are interested in volunteering in aged care settings, supporting older people within the parish and wider community, or deepening their understanding of the spiritual and pastoral dimensions of ageing.
The program is well suited to parishioners who are involved in, or discerning, ministries of visitation, pastoral care, companionship, and service, as well as those caring for an older family member or friend.
Program Outline
The series unfolds across nine weeks and explores the following themes:
Week 1: Information Evening
Week 2: Understanding the Ageing Journey
Week 3: Spirituality in Ageing
Week 4: Good Communication
Week 5: The Power of Storytelling
Week 6: Dementia
Week 7: A New Home and a New Way of Life
Week 8: Loss, Grief, Death and Dying
Week 9: Roles, Boundaries and Self Care
These sessions encourage reflection on faith, presence, compassion, and hope, and support participants to accompany older people with sensitivity and confidence.
Dates, Times:
An information evening will be held on Thursday, 9 April 2026, 7pm to 8pm.
The series will then run weekly from Thursday, 16 April to Thursday, 4 June, 2pm to 4pm
Venue:
Holy Name Catholic Parish, 35 Billyard Avenue, Wahroonga
Expression of Interest
Register your interest in an upcoming Spiritual Care Series. This series is a globally respected training program that equips volunteers with practical, holistic skills to provide meaningful spiritual support to older individuals throughout their ageing.
Participation is free; however, places are limited and registration is necessary.
Further program information from Catholic Healthcare can be found at the link below.
Expression of Interest