Welcome to Catholic Health Association of Manitoba

The Catholic Health Association of Manitoba (CHAM) is a voluntary, provincial association dedicated to the healing Ministry of the Catholic Church. Through its Ministries of education health care ethics, spiritual care, social justice and Catholic ownership, CHAM fulfills its mission CHAM fulfills its mission of compassionate concern and respect for all persons.

Our members span the continuum of social services, long term and continuing care, acute care, and seniors’ services across Manitoba. Each year, we strive to foster relationships between our members through regular correspondence and newsletters, formation offerings, advocacy support, and special events.

Join the Journey - Body, Mind & Spirit

Spiritual Care Training Series - Fall 2022

CHAM is offering a new program to expand the ability of CHAM member facilities and parishes to help people understand the aging journey and the role of spirituality in an older person's life. Participants will develop a holistic understanding of an older person and be able to offer quality spiritual care.

Participants would then have the tools to support people who may be frail, alone and lonely either in their homes, long-term care home, supportive housing complex or even hospital.

The training in this program is excellent for staff who work in a care home or hospital, for individuals caring for loved ones in their home or for people who visit with seniors in their homes or care homes.

The training program consists of the following eight segments:

Understanding the ageing process
Spirituality in ageing
Good Communication
The Power of Storytelling
Dementia
A New Home and a New Way of Life
Grief, Loss, Death and Dying
Roles, Boundaries and Self-Care

The upcoming program will be offered starting the week of April 5th, 2022. If you are interested, please contact Julie Turenne-Maynard at jtmaynard@cham.mb.ca

To view the poster click HERE .

“This course was like...God handed it to me on a silver platter, so that I can listen, love and serve people much more deeply, wisely. Look at the timing! In our need, God provided. As before, indebted to you for offering the course.”

Ruth, Participant

COVID-19 Support for Managers, staff and their families

The coronavirus pandemic is taking it's toll on many management teams, staff, residents, patients and families. CHAM, in partnership with Réseau Compassion Network, Aulneau Renewal Centre, Sara Riel Inc., St.Amant and the Interfaith Healthcare Association of Manitoba, have put together a series of workshops, tools and resources to help and support those who are feeling compassion fatigue, anxiety, burnout, fear, and stressed. Please refer to the Ministry of Care section of this website for a full list of offerings.

Resources for you during this pandemic

Over the past several months, we have faced unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. We have been forced to change many aspects of our personal and professional lives and know that this constant change can be exhausting and difficult on our mental health.

We are pleased to share a compilation of mental health resources here.

If there are other tools or resources that would be beneficial to you and your team at this time, please do not hesitate to let us know how we can further assist you.

Recent News

World Day of the Sick

February 2, 2022

Each year on February 11, the Catholic Church marks the World Day of the Sick. This is a time to offer prayers for those who suffer from illness and for their caregivers.

We invite you to promote the Holy Father’s message for World Day of the Sick in your classrooms on Friday, February 11. Below you will find prayers for the sick and suggested elementary and secondary classroom activities that can be used to teach students about the World Day of the Sick.

The theme of this year’s 30th World Day of the Sick, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36), makes us first turn our gaze towards God, who is “rich in mercy” (Eph 2:4).

"May the Thirtieth World Day of the Sick help us grow in
closeness and service to the sick and to their families."

Below are resources for schools and individuals that can be used for the world day of the sick:

Elementary School Activity

Middle School Activity

Secondary School Activity

Any School Level Activity

Within the lesson plans, you will also find a handout along with colouring pages from a few online sources. These resources have been included below for quick reference:

Handout

World Day of the Sick Colouring Pages

To learn more about World Day of the Sick, check out:

Pope Francis’ Message
2022 World Day of the Sick Prayer Service (by Catholic Health Association of the US)
2022 World Day of the Prayer Card (by Catholic Health Association of the US)

Dear healthcare workers, your service alongside the sick, carried out with love and competence, transcends the bounds of your profession and becomes a mission. Your hands, which touch the suffering flesh of Christ, can be a sign of the merciful hands of the Father. Be mindful of the great dignity of your profession, as well as the responsibility that it entails.
– Pope Francis

History

Instituted by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1992, the World Day of the Sick is celebrated annually on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes in honour of the Marian apparitions that were said to have been seen in and around Lourdes, France by St. Bernadette. These apparitions began on Feb. 11, 1858 and since then, many pilgrims and visitors have experienced healing at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes. In 1991, Pope John Paul II was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and it is considered that his own illness was the catalyst for creating World Day of the Sick.

World Day of the Sick “is an opportunity to devote special attention to the sick and to those who provide them with assistance and care both in healthcare institutions and within families and communities. We think in particular of those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, the effects of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic. To all, and especially to the poor and the marginalized, I express my spiritual closeness and assure them of the Church’s loving concern.” – Pope Francis

World Day for Consecrated Life

January 25, 2022

World Day for Consecrated Life, Feb. 2, celebrates the gift of consecrated persons for whole Church and pray for men and women discerning a consecrated vocation with the global
Catholic Church.

The celebration is attached to the feast of the Presentation of the Lord on Feb. 2. This feast is also known as Candlemas Day; the day on which candles are blessed symbolizing Christ who is the light of the world. Similarly, consecrated men and women are called to spread the light and love of Jesus Christ through their unique witness of selfless service, such as caring for the poor, the contemplative work of prayer, or through their professional careers.

Zoom gathering at 7.00 pm CST

When: Feb 2, 2022 07:00 PM Central Time

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIlde-przovGdWoz0Rhmuig3hjQoFPNRiul

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends
toward justice. Martin Luther King

CHAM December 2021 Newsletter

January 4, 2022

CHAM Newsletter