Long-Term Care Spiritual Health Programs
Religious Care
The personal wishes and preferences of residents are respected with regard to attending, or not attending, religious services. Residents and clients desiring to attend any of the services are assisted to and from the chapel by volunteers and staff. Family members and friends are welcome to participate in the services.
Monthly service schedules may be found at the chapel entrances and on care units. Family participation in transporting residents to and from chapel is welcomed and encouraged.
For Misericordia Health Centre residents and clients wishing, but unable to attend any of the chapels’ services, can tune into Channel 64 on their bedside TV to view the service in real time.
Community Spiritual Health Visitors (e.g. pastors)
Ongoing contact with a faith community is often important to a person’s sense of belonging and identity. Please feel free to invite your own clergy or faith leader to continue their visits.
Remembrance of our Deceased Residents
A memory box is located on each resident long-term care unit. This display case is dedicated as a place for remembering and acknowledging residents who have died while a resident of Misericordia Health Centre or as a client of Misericordia’s PRIME program. The picture taken upon admission is used in the display, along with the obituary, when available. A short notice, which identifies the date of admission and the date of death, is left up for two weeks.
The dignity of each person is maintained even in death as fellow residents are informed of the death, and provided with an opportunity to share the meaning of their friendship with the deceased.
Memory Services
Our deceased residents are prayerfully remembered at memory services conducted approximately every four months. The families of the deceased are invited by letter to join residents and staff in this time of remembering, giving thanks, and saying farewell.
Funerals and Memorial Services
Families of residents may request a funeral or memorial service in one of the Misericordia chapels. Some limitations do apply. Arrangements are to be made with Spiritual Health Services at 204-788-8283.
Spiritual Health Services
Nurturing the Spirit
This half-hour weekly gathering for residents on their units is designed to discuss and reflect on a variety of topics. Drawn from a biblical text, poem, art, a story, or a life experience, topics such as joy, anger, gardening or the meaning of ‘home’ help to focus the reflection. Participants describe Nurturing the Spirit as a community building experience where their deep feelings of meaning and purpose are explored and validated.
Bible Study
A weekly gathering in the chapel for residents of Misericordia Place wishing to pray for the community, to reflect on the Sunday Gospel reading, and to reflect on their lives.
Individual Visitation
Spiritual health providers offer the gift of time and presence to residents needing or wishing to have someone to talk with, or simply be with them. These visits may be one of sharing memories, or addressing more immediate concerns such as the changes they are experiencing in their life.
Care and Treatment Decisions
Spiritual Health may also be of assistance to residents and families in times of failing health, decision-making, loneliness or discouragement.
Staff – Celebrate Us
The contribution staff make to residents and their families, especially at the time of death, is recognized with an informal gathering for staff on or near the day of the memory service. Staff members are invited to rest their feet and to share memories and refreshments.
Indigenous Ceremonies
Interested residents are invited to participate in Solstice and Equinox Ceremonies near the beginning of each new season. A Spiritual Cultural care provider from the WRHA’s Indigenous Health Department lead the ceremonies hosted by MHC Spiritual Health Services.
