Just as the Good Samaritan came to the aid of the man left half-dead by the side of the road and gave him comfort and a place to recover, CatholicCare chaplains are there to help people in their time of need.
As our community and the needs of the vulnerable, ill and isolated grows, it’s vital that we ensure that there are enough chaplains to serve and give support.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was naked and you gave me clothing,
I was sick and you took care of me,
I was in prison and you visited me.”
– Matthew 25:35-36
Father Domingo works as a chaplain at Westmead Hospital.
“Every individual we visit has different needs, depending on their situation. Some want to pray, nurture their faith and receive the sacraments.
“Others need a listening ear, someone to talk to about their worries, what they consider important, and their relationship with God, their families and others.
“And it’s not just patients and their families that we minister to. We also provide spiritual and emotional support for the doctors, nurses, and hospital staff, as they themselves care for their patients during illness, uncertainty and even death.
“We will always be there to provide a link to God’s presence for anyone in hospital and the more chaplains there are, the more people can be served.”
Fr Domingo. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
As Christians, we have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way, and so there will always be a need for us to bring comfort, faith and hope to the sick and isolated.
Pope Francis has called us to be an oasis for the weary and troubled, a refuge for the burdened, the field hospital which heals the wounded and strengthens the weak.
We all experience difficult times in our lives that are distressing, especially if they arise from illness or the loss of our loved ones. Finding the strength, hope and faith we need to get through dark times, immense grief and suffering can be challenging.
Our CatholicCare chaplains provide this strength, hope and faith at the forefront, often seen as beacons of love and hope through serious or life-threatening health conditions, those in desperate need of prayer or companionship.
We can all be Good Samaritans by supporting our chaplains as disciples of Jesus Christ, providing spiritual, emotional and sacramental support to the sick and dying, the elderly and those in need.
Your vital gift and prayers today will assist CatholicCare chaplains to carry on the work of Jesus in the footsteps of the Good Samaritan. You can call (02) 8838 3482 or visit yourcatholicfoundation.org.au/appeal to donate.
