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Pastoral Care Week Oct. 20 - 26 Valuing A Growing Spirit by Chaplain George M. Rossi Pastoral Care Valuing A Growing Spirit is the theme for this year’s celebration of Pastoral Care Week at MUSC and many other hospitals and facilities worldwide. As a chaplain in the Medical Center it is one of my primary responsibilities to tend to the spiritual well being of our patients and their families, as well as our staff.  Sometimes that means being with people and encouraging their spirits as they cope with difficult diagnoses, pain, and loss.  In my care I hope to somehow be a part of the greater Spirit’s work that brings growth, health, hope, and healing. It’s a wonderful work of art to see the Spirit’s presence in the lives of people as they grow through the midst of changes, distress, uncertainty, and loneliness. Maybe even more remarkable is the fact that the Holy One uses ordinary people to encourage, bless, and pray for those whose spirit needs a lift.  Our theme this year focuses upon a growing spirit.  I really like that idea. Growth is a natural part of life and that includes a growing spirit.  So how can chaplains and other health care team members help patients to foster a growing spirit?  Here are some ideas and suggestions: Seek to really appreciate the goodness and positive aspects of each person’s unique spiritual life by affirming and acknowledging a patient’s spirituality.  That may be as simple as saying, “I noticed that your religious support community has visited you…” and “How does your spiritual life help you?”  Make referrals to chaplains as patients reflect upon their own spirituality in light of hospitalization and illness.  Study and reflect upon literature that discusses the relationship between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.  Ask yourself, “How is the Spirit involved in this situation?” Nurture your own growing spirit. On numerous occasions I have received referrals from nurses, physicians, security, and even other patients and their families to meet with a patient or family member to tend to their spiritual care.  The common thread is the concern that each staff person possesses when they request spiritual care services. Requesting spiritual care service is one simple, yet profound way to value a growing spirit.        Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.