Pastoral Services
- Chapel: The Centerpiece of Our Spiritual Care
- Guided Meditations
- Spiritual Consultation
- Grief, Elder, SMACKED, and other Special Support Groups
- Lectures on Living in Spiritual Programs of Recovery
- Retreats
- A Ministry of Presence
Chapel: The Centerpiece of Our Spiritual Care
Chit Chat AuditoriumSunday Chapel at 8:30 is like no other church or temple service you've experienced. You'll recognize 12 Step traditions, elements of Christian worship, and material from other sources. There are tears and testimonials, and music with a message for the hungry heart. Persons of all spiritual traditions are welcome. Patients often present prayers, poems, readings, music, and other arts. And come early to get a good seat. Patients also may elect to participate in Spirituality groups held on individual units concurrently with Chapel services.
Patients are not required to attend the chapel service, but most patients want to attend. An alternative spirituality group is also available. The Sunday chapel service is open to the public and families of the the patients. Patients who request Sabbath services on Friday can be accommodated, along with individual counseling with rabbis.
Guided Meditations
Meditation is an express component of the Twelve Step spiritual trations. Chaplains provide guided meditations for any unit as demand and schedules permit. In addition, regular meditation is offered in Huyett Hall on the following schedule:
- Relapse: Mondays at 2 pm
- Primary Care & Relapse Women: Mondays at 2:30 pm
- Intermediate Care Men and Women: Tuesdays at 2:30 pm
- Primary Care Men: Thursdays at 12:45 pm
Patients in other units should contact a counselor or chaplain to participate in guided meditation.
Spiritual Consultation
Chaplains at Caron have expert knowledge in spirituality and the 12 steps. Patients can request a spiritual consultation through their case manager to help in a number of areas including: questions of faith, spirituality, or concepts of a Higher Power; 12-Step work in general; Fifth Step facilitation; grief and loss; shame and guilt; codependency and relationship issues; sadness and other emotional burdens.
Grief, Elder, SMACKED, and other Special Support Groups
Caron's Chaplains help to arrange special support groups, some on an ongoing basis and others as demand and schedules permit. Grief support is provided for particular patient groups as need arises. The Elder Group offers common ground for older patients to share their experience, strength, and hope. The "SMACKED" meeting prodes safe space for patients to share experiences of sexual and relational harm arising from addictive behaviors and family systems. If you have special support needs, ask your counselor or a member of the Pastoral Services team what can be done to assist you.
Lectures on Living in Spiritual Programs of Recovery
The entire patient community, including CCSD and Caron's Intensive Outpatient Program, receive instruction in the 12 Steps and other aspects of the spiritual program of recovery from the Pastoral Services Team on a regular basis.
Retreats
Chaplains also organize and participate in retreat experiences for alumni and special populations, including persons with HIV or HEP-C and the Recovery for Life workshop series.
A Ministry of Presence
Caron's chaplains devote time to ministry of presence, engaging patients, families, staff, and alumni at small and large moments in the day-to-day life of this complex and distributed community. These brief but intensive encounters help to sustain Caron's vital spirituality across the diverse patient community and as patient and family relationships continue in alumni, referral, and development forums.
