PA950EE Health Care Ministry
This course is designed to introduce participants to the chaplaincy in a health care environment in a hospital and (to some extent) in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). The health care chaplain is discussed in relation to six major roles performed. Basic responsibilities and day-to-day tasks are discussed in detail.
Course Syllabus
PA950EE: Health Care Ministry
| Rationale | This course is designed to introduce participants to the chaplaincy in a health care environment in a hospital and (to some extent) in a skilled nursing facility (SNF). The health care chaplain is discussed in relation to six major roles performed. Basic responsibilities and day-to-day tasks are discussed in detail. |
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Focus |
This course is designed to focus on the pastoral aspects of ministry with the ill and frail from a diaconal perspective.
Much attention will be given to the people who receive this ministry and to their settings. Participants will be required to work with a hospital chaplain, visit hospital patients, complete assigned tasks relating to pastoral visits in the hospital, read assignments, and complete reflection papers. A vision for pastoral care of the ill and frail will be developed based on: ◦ Church teaching ◦ The dignity of human life ◦ The power of prayer ◦ The need for preparation |
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Caveat |
This course is a primer or introduction to health care ministry. It is is not an equivalent or a substitute for any clinical pastoral education (CPE) experience that requires supervision and documentation. Any deacon who wishes to pursue the ministry of hospital chaplaincy should continue his education and training through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) and the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) or the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC). |
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Topics |
The following topics have been included in this course:
◦ The Hospital Setting ◦ Patient Visitation: Privacy, Confidentiality, and Spirituality ◦ Patient Visitation: Listening Skills ◦ Patient Visitation: Other Considerations ◦ Crisis Ministry ◦ Palliative Care and Care for the Elderly ◦ End-of-Life Issues ◦ Behavioral Health Issues ◦ Prayer, Services, and Sacraments ◦ Cultural Diversity ◦ Professionalism |
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Components |
This course draws from the disciplines of
◦ Pastoral Theology ◦ Pastoral Counseling ◦ Moral Theology ◦ Spiritual Counseling to emphasize the critical importance ministering to those in physical, mental, or spiritual pain.
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Materials |
Materials used in this course will be drawn from:
◦ Church documents ◦ Current research ◦ Assigned readings from websites and textbooks ◦ Practical pastoral experiences in order to help deacons and their colleagues in ministry to adequately respond to the issues faced when ministering to the ill and frail. |
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the Deacon will be able to:
- Become familiar with the chaplain’s role for future professional development and knowledge as you perform pastoral visits with parishioners as a deacon.
- Establish heightened insight into the power of prayer, (formula and spontaneous), as you minister to the frail and ill.
- Appreciate the intricacies of the legal, organizational, physical and spiritual pressures that accompany medical care in your community.
Required Materials
In order to meet these course objectives, the following books should be purchased or made available for required readings. There are, however, readings which have been identified as “optional.” These will be helpful as you progress through this course. You may find that the books identified throughout this course will be helpful to have on your bookshelf for reference as different needs arise in your parish.
The following books will be used throughout the course, beginning as early as Week Two.
Savage, J. (1996). Listening and caring skills in ministry: A guide for pastors, counselors, and small groups. ?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" ?Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.
ISBN-10: 0687017165
ISBN-10: 978-0687017164
Switzer, D. K. (2000). Pastoral care emergencies (Creative pastoral care and counseling). Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
ISBN-10: 0800632281
ISBN-13: 978-0800632281
Normile, P. (1992). Visiting the sick: A guide for parish ministers. New York, NY: Samuel French Publishers.
ISBN-10: 0867161507
ISBN-13: 978-0867161502
HealthCare Chaplaincy Network.
Chaplaincy Care Volunteer Training Manual
Phone: 212.758.9959
[Optional Resource]
Archdiocese of Boston, Health Care Ministry
Pastoral Care to the Sick and Homebound
This booklet is used in the archdiocesan workshop of the same name. It is currently (8/14) under revision. Contact Dcn James F. Greer at the archdiocesan Health Care Ministry office as to availability: 617-746-5843