Pastoral Care

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Instructor William Roozeboom, Ph.D. introduces the program

Pastoral Care is a means of providing comfort to those suffering as a result of life's challenges, including long-term or life-limiting illness, death of a loved one, separation and divorce, or aging. The Pastoral Care professional certificate program provides practical suggestions and models both for the direct service of those suffering as they face their personal challenges, and for the development of parish programs. Participants will study the theological and spiritual foundations for the call to pastoral care ministry, and learn how to help others use their talents as part of a caring Christian community. 

Who Should Participate

The program is open to any and all interested in serving others, especially those who are giving time freely as well as for those who work on professional parish pastoral teams or in other ministerial settings. Those who have already been active in pastoral ministry for some time will find that this program offers a refreshing perspective and source of continuing growth.

Program Benefits

The program provides practical suggestions and models both for the direct service of those suffering as they face their personal challenges, guidance for the development of parish programs, an exploration of the theological and spiritual foundations for the call to pastoral care ministry, and pastoral methods for using one’s talents as part of a caring Christian community. Students will explore the theological and scriptural basis for ministry and pastoral care, and the fundamentals of care for people experiencing physical, spiritual and psychological suffering. This includes:

• Ministry in times of illness, death and bereavement
• Blessings and challenges of ministering to and with the elderly
• Detention ministry and the care of victims of crime and domestic violence

Students will also study the sacraments as a place of contact with family issues, and ministry for all people with attention to socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and gender differences. Those who successfully complete the program will be to:

• Articulate a clear definition and scope of pastoral care and pastoral practice
• Nurture a life of prayer and emotional well-being, including ethical ministerial practice, balance of life, time management, best practices in listening and problem-solving skills
• Recognize, assess and properly assign appropriate ministerial service to a variety of special populations in parish and Catholic service settings
• Understand the needs of those with whom they minister and serve in order to make referrals and/or provide services
• Develop assessments to determine pastoral needs in a parish setting
• Organize parish-based pastoral care programs, including discernment, recruitment and formation of ministers
• Respectfully minister in a variety of intercultural settings

Credit from this program may be applicable to catechist certification at the discretion of the certifying diocese. Please be sure to check with the appropriate diocesan office to confirm that this program qualifies for credit towards certification or recertification.