Spiritual support

Pastoral care and religious services

We respect and support students of all faiths on campus. Your Macquarie Chaplains provide religious and spiritual support through one-on-one sessions and small and large group activities.

Uni is an amazing time to explore new horizons and stretch your imagination. There’s never a better time to dive into questions of spirituality and religion or to connect with others who share your faith.

The Macquarie Chaplains are here to support students during these difficult times with pastoral care. We are a diverse team of people from many different religious backgrounds and we welcome anyone (whether you consider yourself religious or not).

Whatever your religious background, wherever you’re from, we’re here to listen, help, and get you connected with community.

Spiritual wellness during COVID-19

It’s important to stay connected, especially while physically distanced from your friends/family during this time.

Most religious gatherings have now moved online – Google your usual place of worship or religious affiliation to find out how they are supporting their community during COVID-19.

Additionally, personal spiritual practices can be maintained as a source of strength and comfort at this time as before.

• Set aside time for personal reflection and prayer.
• Contact people from your religious community, or like-minded friends for conversation and encouragement.
• Reach out to contact your local religious leader to find out how your religious community is responding to the challenges of the moment and ask them for personal support if you feel you need it.

Note: Campus and prayer rooms are not accessible due to COVID-19. We will continue to keep you updated for future opening times.

About us

Different religious communities each have different special activities and events. This diversity enriches our University experience. This means that different chaplains serve in different ways: organising religious services and activities, seasonal festivals, meditation, prayer, invitations to investigate belief, and teaching.

Key activities include:

• encouraging members of the University community to understand and grow in their spiritual health
• supporting students and staff from religious backgrounds in relating tertiary study and their faith
• facilitating dialogue and mutual understanding of religious beliefs to promote respectful relationships within our diverse University community
• supporting the many different religious clubs and societies on campus.

Chaplains also provide pastoral care for students and staff that supplements the other support services of the University. In some cases, students may prefer a chaplain to a counsellor.

Pastoral care activities of the Macquarie Chaplains include:

• helping overseas students adjust to living and studying in a foreign culture
• providing a network of relationships for students living away from home
• supporting students in University residential accommodation
• creating opportunities for students and staff to meet across faculty and cultural barriers
• advocacy and support for students and staff who need to engage with the University administration on religious matters.

Support

Chaplains are people who love our University community. They will listen to what you have to say and either help you themselves, or point you in the right direction to get help.

You can expect to be respected and to have your questions and beliefs acknowledged. Chaplains are trained to talk about things like:

• how are things for you?
• how do we find meaning in life?
• what place does religious belief have in living well?
• how do I live out my faith in a new context?
• anything that troubles you

Note: Chaplains are nominated by the authorities of recognised religious bodies. Chaplains must be formally recognised by the University through the Registrar. Chaplains are accountable to their nominating religious body and are not employees of the University.