By Garry Sanossian
For chaplains, ministry is often the work of holding the journey of others in places marked by grief, loss, and unanswered questions. Day after day, they walk alongside people in the hardest moments of their life, offering the presence of Christ. The annual Chaplains Retreat is a rare and intentional pause for chaplains to step back, reflect, connect with other chaplains, and recalibrate with those who share an understanding of this unique ministry context.
Held at the beginning of the year, the retreat leads the chaplains to set direction and refocus for the year ahead. Chaplain Jeni Callaghan said, “The retreat closes the door on last year and sets a new rhythm for the year ahead.”
That sense of renewal is especially important considering the emotionally demanding settings that chaplains work in – including residential aged care, retirement living, hospitals, defence forces, schools, and prisons. Chaplain Carolyn Schache, who serves in aged care, said stepping away together makes a tangible difference.
“We’re quite geographically spread out,” Carolyn said. “Coming together helps us better understand each other and the gifts each person brings.”
Carolyn described the retreat as more than rest. It is a chance to be renewed in ministry.
“For me, going swimming really symbolised refreshment,” she shared. “The freshness of the water captured what was happening internally.”
That renewal, she said, helps her continue walking with people through loss, grief, and frailty.
“You come back with a renewed perspective. That’s really important when your ministry context involves sadness and grief so much of the time.”
Coffee, conversation and shared laughter.
Alongside renewal, the retreat also strengthens professional practice. Senior chaplain Peter Carblis led sessions focused on professional standards, boundaries, and personal integrity in ministry. These conversations created space for careful reflection that is difficult to prioritise during the year.
Chaplain Andy Chung, serving in prison and aged care chaplaincy, said that space is vital.
“It’s a very special time,” Andy said. “We step back from frontline work, look after ourselves and each other, and receive resourcing for our ministry. It’s a gift to have that time.”
Without it, Andy believes chaplaincy could easily become isolating.
“With the retreat, it’s a reminder that we’re doing this together. We’re part of a team. We support each other, encourage each other and remind each other why we’re here.”
Moments of joy at the Chaplains Retreat.
The retreat also provides a meaningful entry point for newer chaplains. Glenn Baigent, who recently commenced his role, valued the opportunity to learn from others’ lived experience.
“The empathy that comes from other chaplains who are journeying in the same space is really important,” he said. “Hearing about their experiences, trials and challenges was very helpful.”
One reflection particularly stayed with him.
“We talked a lot about reaching the person, not just the circumstances around them,” he said. “It’s easy to get distracted by everything surrounding a resident, but our role is to reach the person themselves.”
Please continue to pray for our chaplains who faithfully serve and companion people in communities across our state.
