To request a visit for someone who is sick or dying, please contact the Hospital Chaplain at (250) 889-3761

To request assistance from a Pastoral Care Ministry volunteer, please contact your local parish office.

Pastoral Care Training sessions are now offered online.  

Pope Leo emphasizes “a pastoral approach characterized by humility, service, and a focus on the needs of the marginalized, particularly those most vulnerable and suffering.”

For several years, the Diocese of Victoria presented in-person Pastoral Care Training sessions—both locally in Victoria and other diocesan regions.

Through our parishes' Pastoral Care Ministries, we visit the lonely, sick, injured, elderly, and the dying in hospitals, extended health care facilities, or at home. Lay pastoral care visitors can assist their pastors by helping to share Christ’s healing love and compassion with those in need—in their rawness and vulnerability—by offering friendship, encouragement, the ministry of presence, and, when requested, prayer and Holy Communion.

With the opportunity to offer these valuable and free online Zoom sessions since April 2021, the virtual program has blossomed beyond our expectations. Enthusiasm for the program now draws registrants from four additional dioceses: Nelson (includes Kelowna), Prince George, Kamloops, and now, St. Paul, AB.

Sessions are offered on Saturday mornings from 9:30 am–noon (PST).  The next winter series 2026 is scheduled for: January 24–March 28. We will have a break on March 7. A session will not be held.

We welcome Lay Pastoral Care visitors to update their training, those who are considering this ministry, clergy, deacons and religious, spouse caregivers and other family members who care for their loved ones, other parishioners such as CWL, Knights of Columbus,  St. Vincent de Paul, RCIA, including care aides and others in the health industry, as well as our neighbours of other ecumenical faiths, those who undertake the training for personal development—anyone who is personally drawn to help share the message of Christ’s healing love and compassion with those in need.

Contact your local parish office to register. For more information, please contact the volunteer coordinator at moiraking@shaw.ca. Moira is also Chair of the Diocese of Victoria Health Care Committee.

WHAT IS 'PASTORAL CARE'?  

Pastoral Care communicates Christ’s healing love and compassion to all, especially those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit. “I was sick, and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36). In each of the Gospels the healing ministry of Christ clearly illustrates compassion for those who are suffering and in need of the healing touch of Jesus, whether they are in hospitals, health care residences, or homebound. We also mirror social justice core values by offering human dignity, care for the poor, service, integrity, and by giving those we visit an experience that will strengthen their confidence in life and give them a reason to hope.

Lay pastoral care visitors can assist their pastors by helping to share Christ’s healing love and compassion with those in need—in their rawness and vulnerability—by offering friendship, encouragement, the ministry of presence, and, when requested, prayer, and Holy Communion.

May we allow ourselves to be surprised by God’s grace, especially when we visit the sick, the injured, and those who are facing death.

WHOM DO WE VISIT?  

Pastoral Care Outreach volunteers visit the lonely, homebound, sick, injured, elderly, and dying, in hospitals, extended health care facilities, or at home.

To request assistance from a Pastoral Care Ministry volunteer, please contact your parish office.

 

HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY  

The Diocese of Victoria, through its Hospital Chaplain, provides pastoral, spiritual and sacramental care to the Victoria General and Royal Jubilee Hospitals, as well as to those in the acute care hospitals located in Victoria.

The Hospital Chaplain is available at (250) 889-3761.

For hospital visits outside of Greater Victoria, please contact the local parish.

Moira King
Chair
Diocesan Health Care Committee

moiraking@shaw.ca

Fr. Sean Flynn
Hospital Chaplain

(250) 889-3761