April 2001 saw me in Kuala Lumpur's Assunta Hospital doing a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) course with a team of other sisters and laypersons.  I was going to be there for the next two months...

CPE was filled with input sessions and practical training in the wards. I acquired the skills of a pastoral caregiver who attended to the emotional and psychological needs of the patients. As this involved loving and sensitive listening and responding to the patients, we had to first meet these needs within ourselves.  This was amply facilitated by our weekly individual conferences with our supervisor, Sr. Mary Anne Fletcher (FMM) and we also met as a group for processing our skills and to deal with personal issues that arose.

 The procedure of our visiting the patients included reading up on the patients' confidential admission details and records. Equipped with the relevant information we befriended the patients and encouraged them to express their thoughts and feelings freely ~ though we were careful not to impose our ideas and especially religious beliefs on them. Using “attending skills” we genuinely sought to empower healing and a holistic recovery. Maintaining accurate records in the patient's log book was also a crucial element for follow-ups on the patient.  Ultimately, asking myself the following questions helped me to clarify my hidden agendas.

• Why do we do what we do,
• What happened to me (feelings and thoughts) when I was listening to the patient,
• What was my identity with the patient,
• What role did I play and
• What was my attitude?

 I want to thank and praise God for the beautiful experiences I had.   I have come away with an increased awareness of my character and personality.  More than that, I have a sense of having acquired valued, life pastoral skills which will certainly be advantageous in the servant-journey of my life.

 By Christina Kho, Novice

• A Renewed Search

• Muslim-Catholic Dialogue

• Catholic Educators Seminar

• Christina Kho at CPE

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