Welcoming Sinead Gilgunn: A new chapter for Pastoral Services at St John of God Health Care

23 Oct 2024

As we celebrate Pastoral Care Week, we are thrilled to introduce Sinead Gilgunn, the new Group Manager for Pastoral Services at St John of God Health Care. With over a decade of experience in pastoral care and a passion for mission-driven work, Sinead is deeply committed to supporting communities and upholding individual dignity.

Originally from Ireland, Sinead moved to New Zealand in 2012, thinking she had found her forever home. But her calling led her to St John of God Health Care, where she saw new opportunities to champion pastoral care.

"This role opened a door for me to continue advocating for the importance of pastoral care, and I’m excited to help develop these services further at St John of God Health Care,” she says.

Sinead relocated to Perth in August 2024 with her family, following her role as General Manager of Mission Integration at St John of God Hauora Trust. Her extensive background in pastoral studies, combined with a strong interest in mental health, gives her a unique perspective on how pastoral care supports holistic health and wellbeing.

What inspires her most about this new role? For Sinead, it is the opportunity to honour and expand the legacy of the Sisters of St John of God. “Their dedication to Mission and Values is what defines pastoral care,” she says.

Sinead is eager to enhance the authenticity of the pastoral perspective, which she believes is a key differentiator for Catholic health care leaders. She is committed to ensuring that St John of God Health Care can clearly articulate what pastoral care means within the organisation and that it continues to serve as a foundation of Catholic theology. "By promoting the skills and value of pastoral caregivers to leaders, we can enhance the impact of these services across our hospitals and care settings,” she explains.

In her first year, Sinead’s priorities will be strengthening pastoral education, building relationships with key stakeholders, and continuing the work of her predecessors. “I’m grateful for the incredible model of pastoral care I have inherited. My focus now is on collaborating with leaders to grow our pastoral capacity, while staying true to its core identity,” she says.

As we celebrate Pastoral Care Week, let’s take a moment to honour the vital role pastoral caregivers play in supporting patients, families and staff. We welcome Sinead, whose vision and passion will shape the future of pastoral services at St John of God Health Care.