Join us as we honour the sacred work of Spiritual Care Practitioners, those who walk beside patients, families and staff offering healing, not by fixing, but by being present.

​This year’s theme is inspired by Kintsugi – the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold, transforming what was once broken into something beautiful and resilient.

Spiritual care practitioners walk alongside people experiencing grief, illness, loss, and uncertainty. In accompanying others through brokenness and vulnerability, they help illuminate the strength that remains, the meaning that endures, and the possibility of healing that emerges when people feel truly seen, heard, and supported.

With compassion, presence, and spiritual wisdom, we help others see that their brokenness is not the end of the story but the beginning of a new one.

Here at Northern Health, our Spiritual Care Practitioners are highly skilled in providing support across cultures, faith traditions, and belief systems, including those with no religious affiliation. We offer person-centred care and a calm, compassionate presence in the hospital setting, where many patients and families are facing grief, loss, and distress.

Our team also provides valuable emotional and spiritual support to Northern Health staff, helping them navigate the challenges of healthcare work with resilience and wellbeing.

The Spiritual Care team includes Penelope Vye, Associate Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care, Natalia Dewiyani as Spiritual Care Coordinator (NHE), Melanie Moore (PCU), Sebastian Antony (NHE), Kelly Pinto (NHE & BC), and John Davies (BH). As an extension of the in-house team, we work with more than 30 faith representatives who are called in to provide services from particular religious/faith/cultural traditions.

Natalia Dewiyani, Spiritual Care Coordinator said she was proud to lead such a compassionate and dedicated team. “We are privileged to accompany people through times of brokenness and vulnerability. It is an honour to lead a Spiritual Care team whose kindness, empathy, and commitment help create moments of comfort, meaning, and healing for patients, families, and staff every day.”

Penelope Vye, Associate Director of Social Work and Spiritual Care, said the team provides extraordinary care and support to patients and staff at Northern Health who are experiencing challenges to their health and wellbeing. “It is my very great pleasure to lead the Spiritual Care team at Northern Health.”

“Congratulations for the remarkable work you all do with patients, families and staff at Northern Health. You meet with people when at their most vulnerable and provide a listening presence, respecting their space and capacity to just be.”

Recent feedback from staff and families has affirmed the importance of spiritual care in supporting people through times of vulnerability and distress.

“John demonstrated remarkable kindness, patience, and cultural sensitivity throughout the interaction. The way John listened attentively and created a safe space for the patient to express their feelings and concerns was deeply respectful and compassionate. It was evident that his approach was grounded in genuine empathy and understanding of the patient’s cultural and spiritual needs.” – Anu Pramod, ANUM – Unit 2 BHS.

A family recently expressed their gratitude for Sebastian’s support in the Emergency Department. They shared how their mother, who had been visibly agitated, became calm immediately after prayer. Her son-in-law later remarked, “I am not a believer, and that amazed me.” The family continues to remember this moment as a powerful reminder of the comfort and peace spiritual care can offer in difficult times.

“Melanie’s talk about grief was excellent. I think it would be really useful for people who are grieving. it was very validating and reassuring, and comforting”

The Spiritual Care team received great feedback from their recent inservice for Ward 15 staff. The inservice saw staff learning about self-care and the importance of looking after themselves. Specifically, Sebastian and Natalia were commended on their impressive presentation and the amazing job they do.

The next Northern Health Memorial Service is on Thursday, 12 November. Click here for registrations.