Seeking academic learning that informs pastoral practice

19 Oct 2018

Practitioners Sarah Simpson from Midland, Mary Prentice from Subiaco, Marisa Wessels from Bunbury, Kathryn Nichols from Richmond and Kim Braun from Geelong are currently completing the University of Notre Dame course.

Mary, who travelled to Athens and Rome (a trip also undertaken by Marisa and the pair are pictured together in the above photo) as part of the course’s philosophy field trip, said the opportunity to study and share ideas with like-minded students was enriching.

“So far the learning has been enriching and broadening. I have found it a wonderful opportunity to push into other areas of thought and other disciplines,” she said.

Marisa agreed that the trip and the opportunity to study philosophy had been enlightening.

“The trip and the opportunity to study philosophy had been a surprise in an arena of academic learning,” she said.

"It is another building block in my practice and I can now see that my reflective practice is informing me on how my current role is evolving, and will continue to do so.”

St John of God Health Care Group Manager Pastoral Services Eleanor Roderick said supporting pastoral practitioners to complete further study was important for their career choice to being recognised as a professional calling.

“Our pastoral practitioners support our patients and their families at times when they feel most vulnerable and we are proud to be able to support them to undertake this additional learning to equip them with the advanced skills they need to provide support to address the spiritual, religious and emotional needs of all people,” she said.