theadvocate.tv
AUGUST 2015
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The new $2 billion Fiona Stanley Hospital has recently opened its contemplation room.
Faith in hospital Western Australia’s brand new state-of-the-art health care facility, Fiona Stanley Hospital, has unveiled its contemplation room and its key finishing touch, a new cross that adorns the alter of this important hospital facility. The Hospital’s Pastoral Care Coordinator Sheldrin D’Rozario commissioned Pastor Alastair Bain and the Canning Community Men’s Shed to craft the cross for the altar in the contemplation room after receiving a recommendation from someone in his church network. “I was searching for a suitable cross, but the only ones I could find looked commercial and not suitable for a hospital,” Sheldrin said. “I put the feelers out and someone suggested I talk to Alastair.” Made of Swan River Blackbutt, the cross is a beautifully made piece that
is also quintessentially West Australian. Traditionally known as a chapel, the purpose of the contemplation room is to be a dedicated space available as a place of prayer and meditation for people of all faiths. The contemplation room has daily services that are streamed into every patient’s room in the hospital and is used by many people during the day. “At the moment we conduct services from Monday to Thursday … I also hope that in the future we’ll be able to provide denominationspecific services,” Sheldrin said.
He is already in discussion with the heads of the 12 biggest denominational churches in WA. “Their support is really crucial,” he said. Sheldrin, with the help of his small team, facilitates the range of pastoral care services that are available to everyone that visits, stays in, and works at the hospital. Through his work, Sheldrin wants to help to establish an integrated culture of pastoral care throughout the new health campus. “What I’m hoping to do is to establish firm links within the community to provide resources on the ground,” Sheldrin said. “I’m particularly interested in music ministry.” He is also working hard at establishing links with other religious communities that could assist in providing necessary pastoral care services in the hospital. “For other religions – Hindu, Buddhism, Islam – hospitals have not traditionally been part of religious practices,” Sheldrin said.
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“Particularly in death – there are specific needs that cannot be met by the chaplaincy team here (already), we have to call on resources outside.”
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For more information about pastoral care services available at Fiona Stanley Hospital, or resources required by the team, email sheldrin.d’rozario@health. wa.gov.au
We are stronger when we work together.
BAPTIST CHURCHES WESTERN AUSTRALIA Photo: Matt Chapman
Jacqueline Outred
Canning Community Men’s Shed have created a lasting impression at Fiona Stanley Hospital.