Pastoral care
Providing compassion and support in the Mercy tradition.
Pastoral Care is based on the healing ministry of Jesus and the values, philosophy and mission of Catherine McAuley and the Sisters of Mercy.
The Mater Pastoral Care Team is a specific ministry of Mater Private Hospital Townsville, which seeks to respond compassionately to the spiritual and emotional needs of patients, family members and staff.
The Mater Pastoral Care Team visits and welcome patients and families of all faiths and backgrounds.
For many patients, coming into the Hospital can lead to a feeling of vulnerability and uncertainty. This is often not only reflected in their physical body, but also in their emotional and spiritual condition which accompanies the experience of illness, pain and loss.
The services of Pastoral Care are offered in co-operation with other members of the Mater Private Hospital Townsville Healthcare Team.
We provide:
- Regular patient visits
- Listening sensitively to the concerns and needs of each person
- Spiritual and emotional support to patients, family/carers
- Support in crisis
- Journeying with the dying
- Help during and after grief and loss
- Prayer
- Distribution of communion
- Sacrament of the sick
- Welcome and blessing of new babies
Pastoral care visits
A member of the Pastoral Care Team is available from 8.00am to 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. If you would like to speak with a team member, please contact Pastoral Care (07) 4727 4105 or ask nursing staff to arrange a visit.
After hours and weekends
Requests for Pastoral Care Services can be made by contacting the Hospital Coordinator (07) 4724 4562 , or by speaking to your nursing staff.
The Catholic Hospital Chaplain and other Ministers of Religion
Mater Private Hospital Townsville has regular visits from the Catholic Hospital Chaplain and other Ministers of Religion.
If you would like to request a visit from the Hospital Chaplain or other Ministers of Religion, please contact the Pastoral Care Office (07) 4724 4105 during office hours, and during after hours, contact the Hospital Switchboard on 07 4727 4444.
Our Hospital Chapel is located in the main foyer of the Hospital near Admissions. The Chapel is open 24 hours a day to all patients, visitors and staff, offering a quiet space to sit and reflect.
Mass is celebrated in the Chapel every Tuesday at 10.00am. Patients who are unable to attend can access Mass in the comfort of their room by switching their TV to channel 104.