Your experience with Pastoral Care Workers

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jade
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Jade,

Of course it is prudent to be apprehensive at the beginning of anything new. It is just because you are leaving familiar ground for the unknown. Just acknowledge the fears, and then pray for confidence. This is blessed work, and you are generous and loving to do it. The Holy Spirit will guide you, especially if you ask.

I’m sure you’ll be fine–I’ll try to remember a few things that helped me, (or could have helped me) as I began.

Smile as you enter the room, especially if there is saddmess or distress. It will lift the whole atmosphere and help both you and the patient, and also mask any distress you might feel, especially if the person is very sick.

Just allow them to talk, if they wish. You are not there to solve their problems (that is for psychologists & social workers) You are there to comfort them and pray with them. This is also a good way to try to finissh a visit that may be getting too long. Say something like, “Let’s ask God to help you.” And if the situation seems hopeless pray for peace. Some people do wish to pray for death, and if this is the case, do it. I personally do this very rarely, but I have done it. I usually pray for peace & joy. Even the terminally ill deserve the jo of the Spirit.
 
Jade,

I’m not as young as you, but I am often mistaken for being so, and I’ve never had someone mind that I’m “young”. Some people do comment in an oblique way, and say they are glad to see young people being involved. So I don’t think you’ll have a problem that way.

I bet they’ll give you a booklet to use with the prayer forms. Mine has a prayer in the front to say before I go to the hospital to prepare myself. I recommend that. Also, I get nervous, too. It is okay. People are so happy that you bring Jesus to them, you’ll not be nervous for long! The people you visit will generously let you in to their lives.

One time I was with a woman and her doctor came in, and she held my hand because she was nervous with the doctor. She trusted me. I felt so happy about that, since I don’t speak her language very well, so we have a bit of trouble communicating sometimes. She is very much older than me. It will be okay!
 
Pug and mysty,

Thank you for your advice!

I am learning a lot of these techniques in this course that I am taking. I’m glad to see that they work! 😉

Thanks again!

jade
 
Jade, if anything I would think the people you visit would appreciate someone of your age who is willing to give of their free time to serve those in need. We need more people in your age group to serve this way. You will do just fine. The mere fact you are asking these types of questions says enough about your character.
 
Jade, I think it’s wonderful that you want to do this. I have a little experience with Pastoral Care. I had major surgery last August and was in the hospital for six days. I was several hours from home, so my priest wasn’t able to come see me. I put my religion as Catholic on the intake form, but didn’t think anything of it. I got a visit from a couple of different Pastoral Care men, on two different days. It was a really nice thing. The first guy seemed a little uncomfortable, I didn’t know if this was his first time doing this work, or because of my age and gender (I’m 27 and female, quite a bit younger than the average patient). He was very nice, though. The next day, I was visited by a deacon who was also very nice. We prayed together and I got to recieve Communion.

I have to say–they came during breakfast time, so it was very wierd for me to take Communion in the middle of breakfast. But, I figure God would understand, it’s not like this is a normal situation.

Anyway, the whole point of my story is that what you are proposing is a wonderful thing. Be strong, you’ll see all kinds of people in all stages of health. But, know you’ll bring comfort to them! God bless you!
 
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vegpotter:
I have to say–they came during breakfast time, so it was very wierd for me to take Communion in the middle of breakfast. But, I figure God would understand, it’s not like this is a normal situation.
Click to expand...
Just for the record, as a patient, you are dispensed from the normal one hour fast prior to receiving the Eucharist. When I visit the hospital, my group goes aroung 6:45 in the evening, so it isn’t unusual to catch some of them just after or still finishing their dinner.
 
Dear RichT,

I, too, had to laugh at:

“During my visit to the mental hospital, when the patients started asking questions, it was actually quite funny. I was completely caught of guard and it almost turnes into a bible study. The even funnier thing was that I never answered any questions, the patients all discussed them together. I was just patient, and let them talk for a bit, and them I got them re-focused. I just wasn’t expecting it.”
quote, RichT

Yes, I can see why you were caught off-guard. The
dandy thing for me, in terms of having that type of
hospitalization, was that, for once in my life, I didn’t
feel the ‘necessity’ for the usual social courtesies!
It seemed wayyyyy too much work :), especially
if your feeling “dazed” to begin with!

In terms of your description of transporting psychiatric
patients by ambulance, I thought your approach was just great.
They are like any other person with a medical
situation that needs prompt care.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I enjoyed
your post of May 6.
Best,
reen12
 
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