Pastoral Care

A CREATIVE STYLE OF
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral Care
Creative Art Program
at Caritas Christi
Hospice in
Melbourne
1995

CREATIVE ART PROGRAM

people soon showed interest
group of patients was enjoying
the activity once a week
EFFECTS OF THE PROGRAM
 “shift of focus”. Even in the face of death,
patients seemed to have a desire to create,
be usefully occupied, achieve and socialise.

 offered a sense of purpose, the joy of

creating a piece of art, the opportunity
to interact socially, a forum for
therapeutic discussion, a distraction
from pain, & relief from clinical routine
EFFECTS OF THE PROGRAM
 patients take a journey toward
inner peace and become more
accepting of their situation

 a work of art became a lasting

memento to a family member or
carer
BENEFITS OF HOSPICE ART
 opportunity to be creative at the
end of their life
 focus shifted from being the
dying patient to the person who
still has something to achieve
and to live
 learned a new skill
 Lifted spirit
Families seemed relieved to see their
loved one taking part in creative art.

The dignity of patients was restored

as they recognised they still had
something to offer their family. Time
together, now so precious, became
more enjoyable and created new and
happy memories.
 PROGRAM EVOLVED
Fingerprint
Butterfly Image
has evolved into
a symbol of
closure and ritual
for the patient
and their family.
Family gathers, and the patient’s fingertips
are dipped and pressed onto the centre of a
ceramic plate. Then each family member
repeats the action. It creates a family plate.
 PROGRAM EVOLVED
Mandala, an image representing a ‘circle of life’
Patient chooses images that symbolise significant
memories and connections in their life.
As they find and then
paint their personal
symbols, patients sift
through memories and
reflect on their life, their
achievements,
disappointments and
their contribution.