Reflecting on ministry, vocation and practice
Pastoral supervision offers professional and personal support to people engaged in ministry, pastoral care and other roles of service.
It provides a confidential and reflective space in which you can explore your work, relationships, responsibilities and experiences with a qualified supervisor.
Through attentive conversation, pastoral supervision can help you recognise your strengths, respond constructively to challenges and discern possibilities for personal and professional growth.
Who is pastoral supervision for?
Pastoral supervision may be helpful for people working in:
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parish and Church ministry;
- chaplaincy and pastoral care;
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spiritual direction and formation;
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education, health and community services;
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leadership and other people-centred roles.
It may support you to:
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reflect more deeply on your practice;
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renew your sense of purpose and vocation;
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clarify your role and responsibilities;
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strengthen professional relationships and boundaries;
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recognise the effects of your work on your wellbeing;
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respond to challenging situations; and
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continue developing personally, professionally and spiritually.
A contemplative approach
At the Carmelite Centre, pastoral supervision is offered within a tradition of contemplation, service and hospitality.
This contemplative approach creates space to pause, listen and reflect on your experience. It encourages greater self-awareness and helps you draw on your own wisdom when discerning how to respond to the opportunities and challenges of your work.
Supervision takes place within a relationship of trust, confidentiality and mutual respect. The supervisor does not provide all the answers. Supervisor and supervisee reflect together, bringing careful attention to the person, their practice and the context in which they serve.
Our pastoral supervisors
Damien Peile
Damien draws on extensive experience in parish pastoral work, counselling, clinical social work, spiritual mentoring and professional supervision.
His contemplative approach encourages reflection and self-understanding, helping people access their own wisdom and recognise opportunities for continuing growth. He is experienced in both individual and group supervision.
Damien offers supervision in person and online.
Fr Wayne Stanhope OCarm
Wayne is a Carmelite friar and qualified pastoral supervisor with extensive experience in formation, parish ministry, spiritual direction and pastoral accompaniment in Australia and Timor-Leste.
He seeks to establish a relationship of trust in which people can reflect honestly on their ministry, recognise their gifts and explore the challenges they encounter. His approach encourages deeper self-awareness, inner discernment and confidence in evaluating one’s professional and ministerial environment.
Wayne offers supervision in person at the Carmelite Centre and online.
Arranging supervision
Pastoral supervision is available by appointment, in person or online, depending on the supervisor.
The frequency of sessions is agreed between you and your supervisor according to your role, professional requirements and individual circumstances. Current availability and fees will be discussed when you enquire.
If you are uncertain whether pastoral supervision is suitable for you, you are welcome to contact the Carmelite Centre for an initial conversation.
Enquire about pastoral supervision
