Chaplaincy Care

Chaplaincy Care is offered by competent, qualified and vocationally focused Hospital Chaplains and trained Volunteer Hospital Chaplain Assistants (VCAs) to meet the religious, spiritual, pastoral and ritual needs of patients, staff and visitors.

Our purpose is to spiritually support, enable positive solutions and respond to the needs of the human spirit when faced with trauma, illness, grief and loss. Our holistic spiritual approach to healing and wellness ensures that all patients, staff and visitors have direct access to their spiritual, religious, faith or belief-based practices. We pay special attention to individual spiritual expression and holistic sacredness in times of illness, grief and loss within and beyond the context of religion. We offer compassionate spiritual care through spiritual counselling and pastoral care support, faith-based resources, prayer, religious sacraments and connections to religious groups and local church communities. We assist our patients, clients and visitors to achieve a sense of wellness through the ‘ministry of presence’ – confidential listening, meaning-making, prayer and reflection.

Our Sacred Spaces

Whangārei

The Chapel of St Luke is located in Whangārei Hospital on the Lower Level at the east end of the corridor. Patients may have Eucharist brought to their bedside by request. An external referral process is also available should you wish to have a priest, minister or spiritual representative visit from a particular religion or faith community.

Kaitaia
Kaitaia Hospital has a Chapel for patient and public use in the hospital. Please ask for directions at reception.

Bay of Islands and Dargaville
Dargaville and Bay of Islands Hospitals have "Quiet Rooms" for patients and public use. Please ask for directions at reception.

Contact Whangārei Chaplaincy Department 

Hours Available:  8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday

Phone: 09 430 4100 ext. 7115 (please leave a message)

Email: chaplains@northlanddhb.org.nz

Our Chaplains

	Kathleen Card MTS Lead Hospital Chaplain Whangārei Hospital cradles a special place in Kathleen’s heart as her tapapa (seedbed) from which her life first came into being. Kathleen pays tribute to the strong spiritual foundations nurtured by her Mother and nourished throughout childhood religious milestones, young adult spiritual progressions, and several years of post-graduate education in which she completed a Master of Theological Studies degree at the University of Divinity, Catholic Theological College, East Melbourne. During her years of study, Kathleen achieved academic awards in Pastoral Studies over two consecutive years (2016 and 2017) and was a recipient of the Loreto, Mary Ward Grant in 2017. Kathleen dedicated particular focus to the study of Pastoral Studies (Pastoral Care), Human Ageing, Moral and Systematic Theology, Catholic Social (Justice) Teachings and Spirituality. In addition to her many years of voluntary service within the Catholic Church, Kathleen has also been employed in positions of leadership as parish Pastoral Associate, hospice Spiritual Care Coordinator and Hospital Chaplain.
	Jim Nees Catholic Hospital Chaplain Jim trained as a Volunteer Chaplain Assistant in 2003 and has continued to enjoy his involvement in Parish Ministries. He was ordained in July 2012 having completed 4 and a half year's study in Auckland. Since 2011, Jim has been employed in his current position as Catholic Chaplain.

Chaplaincy – Hospital Liaison

• Fiona Greig – fiona.greig@northlanddhb.org.nz

Donations

To make a donation please fill in the attached donation form or via the online donation form.