Pastoral Care

Parishes and Local Church

The needs of the local church have changed in the recent decades. Women have moved into parish roles that were once the preserve of ordained men. A number of IBVM sisters can be found in parish pastoral work. In either urban or rural environments, as directors of parishes or as pastoral associates, home visitors and support people, they offer a resource which varies with the particular gifts of each sister.

Others have facilitated these changes set in motion by Vatican II, by working at diocesan level in adult education, and pastoral leadership formation.

Spiritual Direction

Spiritual direction and retreat giving have been important in the IBVM story. In the early 17th century, Mary Ward encouraged appropriate members among her followers to give retreats based on the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola. The practice has developed anew over the past 20 years as a key area of ministry for women. One specific area this is called for is in the accompaniment of younger women inquiring about joining the order and as they move through that process. However, others also offer retreats, work in supervision and training of spiritual directors, and accompany others in prayer through numerous small groups who gather to explore more deeply their relationship with God.

Aged Care

Another area of pastoral outreach is aged care. In an institute with an increasing number of aged personnel, caring for frail aged sisters is an integral part of many communities, as is the gift of wisdom the older members offer to younger generations. This care is especially important for those sisters whose infirmity means they live in nursing homes and hostels, often continuing a life of ministry by their gentle gratitude towards carers and others around them in this new setting.

Sister supporting an elderly lady

Some sisters have taken up roles of support for elderly in nursing homes, finding a new use for musical gifts in music therapy and visiting.

Chaplaincies

Hospitals today offer a particular opening for pastoral care. For families and patients, the chaplain can often be their first contact with the church in many years. As more and more sisters and lay women move into this role, they demonstrate new sensitivities in accompanying people in times of crisis and loss. Some of our sisters have moved into this field and work in children's hospitals as well as more general hospitals.

A few sisters work as chaplains or in educational support with young offenders and other groups in prison. The compassionate presence of volunteers who choose to stand with these people, who are often "out of sight and out of mind" for the general public, continues the commitment of Jesus to be with those on the margins.