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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Aspects of religions (non-Christian) > Religious institutions & organizations > Religious social & pastoral thought & activity
The contributors to this unique and timely book present an overview
of the range of chaplaincies within the Church’s mission. The
publication provides various theoretical frameworks to support the
inspiring work of Chaplains. The book’s origin lies in a tribute
to the work of one’s of Ireland’s longest serving chaplains, Fr
Gerry Byrne, who ministered in The Blackrock Clinic. Tributes
to Fr Byrne are offered by a consultant and the relative of
a patient at the Clinic. Â Chaplains: Ministers of Hope
presents chaplaincy as a living out of the utterly gratuitous love
of God as seen in the resurrection of Jesus and it is an invitation
to acknowledge and celebrate God’s love in the various chapters
and events of life. The background to chaplaincy is covered
in contributions that focus on the theological evolution of
chaplaincy, its ecclesial history and its place in a
contemporary ecclesial model. Further consideration is given to the
scriptural origins of the ministry and its role in contemporary
society. The practical evolution of chaplaincy is well covered in
various contributions. Â The final section of the book
contains contributions from Chaplains who go about their daily work
as Ministers of Hope. There are contributions from a variety of
chaplaincy perspectives: Â hospital, prison, hospice,
sea-port, army, school, university, migrants, those with special
needs, Travellers  and the homeless.Â
In the work of spiritual direction, certain themes or 'presenting
issues' commonly arise. Listening to Your Soul considers thirty
frequently presenting subjects and offers tools for exploring and
understanding the reality that lies behind them, from an
experienced spiritual director. Subjects include discernment,
change, goals, choices, hopes, family issues, parenting, regret,
anger, doubt, perseverance, work, prayer - or lack of,
disappointment, possessions, guilt, fear, endings and more. For
each area, Listening to Your Soul explores the way the theme tends
to arise in spiritual direction - what are the questions, feelings,
dilemmas which we may experience and encounter? - offering
reflective questions, exercises and prayers to deepen understanding
and discern God in the questions and uncertainty.
Publishing on the 50th anniversary of the opening of St
Christopher's Hospice - widely thought of to be the first modern
hospice, combining pain and symptom management with education and
training - this edited collection discusses what motivates
professionals and volunteers to provide spiritual care. This book
shows how the world of hospice care is moving on from Cicely
Saunder's, founder of St Christopher's Hospice, legacy to providing
spiritual care in a more integrated manner. With entries from
doctors, nurses and CEOs among others, this book informs good
practice for professionals and volunteers providing spiritual care
for patients and their families. It looks at how, for many of these
professionals, spirituality does not have to be grounded in
organised religion, but stems from understanding and providing for
our human needs.
Making the case for the relevance of pastoral care today, this book
explores the role of pastoral care through the prism of music.
Using musical analogies, the author provides a new way of
understanding and practising pastoral care, grounded in practical
theology. Challenging overemphasis on mission, he shows that
pastoral care remains essential to the life of the church,
especially when engaging with extreme situations such as dying,
suffering or war, and considers the role of pastoral carers in the
specific pastoral encounter and in the life of the church in
general.
Created to counteract the spiritual imbalance that MI can cause,
the Moral Injury Reconciliation (MIR) methodology is a 9-week,
3-phased spiritual care treatment, for Veteran and family
transformation. This book presents this methodology as a
trans-diagnostic approach for practitioners working with clients
with MI, PTSD, grief and military sexual trauma. Using the language
of reconciliation and spiritual transformation in the context of
working therapeutically with Veterans, the author shows how
chaplains and others involved in spiritual care can work on the
assessment and therapy of those who have experienced MI during
their combat experience. It reconciles past trauma, creates a
focused 'here-and-now' present and anticipates a hopeful future
through spiritual awareness, communication skills and altruism.
Gathering together thoughts and visions of experienced
practitioners, academics, educators and strategic leaders from
around the world, this edited volume sheds light on the nature of
chaplaincy and its role and significance within ever-changing
contemporary healthcare systems. A wide range of issues central to
spiritual care delivery are covered, including reflections on what
it feels like to be cared for by a chaplain through illness; the
nature of chaplaincy as a profession; and how chaplains can engage
with healthcare institutions in ways that have integrity yet are
also deeply spiritual. The focus throughout is that chaplaincy
should not only be guidance for people in distress, as a form of
crisis intervention, but is rather about helping to promote
wellbeing and enhance people's quality of life. Where specialisms
tend to fragment systems and individuals, this book seeks to show
that true health and wellbeing can only be found through a holistic
approach, and shows how chaplaincy can bring this to the table.
This book is for anyone who recognises the centrality of
spirituality for wellbeing, and wishes to see what that might look
like in practice.
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