DIACONATE PROGRAM CANDIDATE PASTORAL CARE GUIDE

Matthew  25:34-­‐36  -­‐  “Then  the  King  will  say  to  those  on  His  right  hand,  ‘Come,  you  blessed  of  My  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of  the  world:  for  I  was  hungry  and  you  gave  Me  food;  I  was  thirsty  and  you  gave  Me  drink;  I  was  a  stranger  and  you  took  Me  in;  I  was  naked  and  you  clothed  Me;  I  was  sick  and  you  visited  Me;  I  was  in  prison  and  you  came  to  Me.’  

The  diaconate  candidate   is   required   to  complete   ten   (10)  pastoral   care  visits  with   the  guidance   of   his   assigned   clergy   mentor.     It   is   recommended   that   the   candidate   and   clergy  mentor   meet   prior   to   any   visitation   to   discuss   the   initial   and   ongoing   expectations   of   the  candidate  during  the  visits.    If  the  clergy  mentor  feels  that  there  is  no  conflict  with  the  person  being   visited,   he  will   ask   the   candidate   to   accompany   him   for   a   pastoral   visit,   initially   as   an  observer.    It  is  recommended  the  candidate  initially  accompany  the  clergy  mentor  and  observe  the  interaction  between  the  patient/shut-­‐in/prisoner  and  priest.    When  both  clergy  mentor  and  candidate   feel   the   candidate   can   begin   contributing   during   the   visit,   the   candidate   can   then  interact  with   the  person  being   visited.    Upon   review  with   the   clergy  mentor  a   candidate   can  offer   assistance   during   the   administration   of   the  Holy   Eucharist,   i.e.   holding   the   communion  cloth  and  properly  returning  Holy  items  to  the  carrying  case.    If  instructed  by  the  clergy  mentor  the   candidate   can   read  a  prayer,   apolotikion  of   Feast  day  or   Saint,   or  parts  of   the  Service  of  Paraklesis.      

Some   candidates   will   most   likely   know   the   person   being   visited   and   there   will   be  instances  when  the  patient  is  very  ill  and  may  not  be  able  to  verbally  communicate.    Even  when  patients  are  said  to  be  in  a  “coma”  or  “vegetative  state”  they  have  the  ability  to  hear.  Always  remain   professional   and  be   careful   of  what   you   say.    When   visiting   the   ill,   it   is   important   to  remember,   if   family   is  present,  they  also  may  be   in  need  of  pastoral  care.     In  all  visits  we  are  called   by   our   Lord   to   be   “Present.”     It   is   often   better   to   remain   silent   then   to   try   to   say  something  profound.    People  are  looking  for  comfort,  hope,  and  to  be  shown  love  in  their  time  of  need.    Each  patient  has   their  own  needs  and  may  be   in  different  places  emotionally.     It   is  important  to  pray  prior  to  and  after  visits.      

Hospital/Nursing Home :

• You  should  always  check  in  with  the  nurse  that  is  caring  for  the  patient.    This  can  help  guide  your  pastoral  care.    Staff  may  share  if  the  patient  has  been  feeling  depressed,  or  has  been  in  a  lot  of  pain,  and  or  having  discomfort.    It  is  also  important  when  visiting  patients  suffering  from  dementia  or  Alzheimer’s.    These  patients  are  generally  in  a  locked  part  of  the  facility  to  ensure  they  stay  accounted  for.    The  staff  is  trained  to  maintain  a  high  level  of  security.    Checking  in  when  you  arrive  may  save  you  much  miscommunication  later.    

•  There  also  may  be  precautions  you  may  need  to  take  if  there  are  communicable  diseases  that  are  present.    You  may  be  required  to  wear  a  mask,  gown,  or  gloves.    

 • If  you  are  visiting  multiple  patients  in  the  same  hospital  it  is  recommended  to  use  hand  

disinfectant  when  going  from  one  room  to  another,  to  prevent  the  spread  of  infection/disease  from  one  patient  to  another.  

Shut-ins:

• They  may  need  to  be  brought  non-­‐perishable  foods  or  referred  to  a  social  service  such  as  meals  on  wheels.    

• Some  shut-­‐ins  may  not  be  taking  care  of  themselves,  so  there  maybe  medical  issues  that  have  to  be  addressed.      

• If  there  is  no  family,  some  social  services  may  have  to  be  coordinated.    Communicate  with  your  clergy  mentor.  

Prisons:

• Depending  on  the  level  of  security,  the  visit  may  have  to  be  supervised  by  a  corrections  officer.    Conversations  may  be  recorded  by  the  prison.  Follow  the  instruction  of  the  corrections  officers  at  all  times.  

 • Do  not  give  out  any  of  your  personal  information  to  other  prisoners,  i.e.  home  address,  

email,  or  phone  numbers.    

• Make  sure  prisoner  has  an  Orthodox  Bible.  

Pastoral Care Visitation Form

1   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  __________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:_________________________________________________________________________  

 Comments:  __________________________________________________________________________________  

 ____________________________________________________________________________________________  

   2   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ___________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:__________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________  

   3   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ____________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:__________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

   4   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ___________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:__________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

   5   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ___________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:  __________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

   6   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ____________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:  __________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

   7   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ____________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:  __________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

   8   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ____________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:  __________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

   

9   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ____________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:  __________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 ______________________________________________________________________________________________  

       10   Date  of  Visit:  _________________   Location  of  Visit:      (    )  Hospital    (    )  Home  (    )  Other  ___________________  

 Sacrament(s)  assisted:  _________________________________________________________________________      

 Comments:  ___________________________________________________________________________________  

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________  

 

 **   Candidates   are   reminded   that   all   interactions   between   clergy   and   patients   are   confidential;  discussions  that  happen  during  visits  should  remain  between  the  clergy  mentor  and  the  candidate.  **  

     

Clergy  Mentor  (Print)    

_____________________________________________________________  

 

Signature  ______________________________________________      Date  _________________  

 

 

Diaconate  Candidate  (Print)    

__________________________________________________________  

 

Signature  ______________________________________________        Date__________________  

 

 

 

2  

PASTORAL VISITATION KIT

 

 

 

CONTENT  LISTING  

• Holy  Eucharist  in  Glass  or  Metal  sealable  container  

• Communion  Spoon  (Lavitha)    • Communion  Cloth  • Wine  • Holy  Water  (Agiasmo)  • Holy  Oil  with  Q-­‐tip  applicator  • Prayer  Book  (My  Orthodox  Prayer  Book,  1985  

GOA)  • Sacrament  Book  Vol.  2  (Kezios,  1995  Narthex  

Press)  • Icons  of  Theotokos  or  Patron  Saint  of  Church  • Black  Robe  (Exorasson)  • Orarion