Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is one of the priest’s most important roles, so feel free to talk to him. He, or one of the other Loddon Valley parish priests, are usually available to speak to any member of the church community who is in need of support on any issue. This could include bereavement, a spiritual crisis, marriage difficulties, pressures experienced as a carer, financial troubles or depression.
There are a large number of local organisations that can help. If the support you need cannot be found at the church, we are always pleased to try and help you find it. Many people are unaware of the help and advice which is available to them in the local community. Please, don’t feel you need to struggle on alone. Ask us for help.
There are a large number of local organisations that can help. If the support you need cannot be found at the church, we are always pleased to try and help you find it. Many people are unaware of the help and advice which is available to them in the local community. Please, don’t feel you need to struggle on alone. Ask us for help.
Counselling
At some time in our lives, all of us feel that things are getting on top of us or that we've lost our way a bit. We feel we simply need to talk our problems through with someone we trust in a confidential environment. St John Bosco can put you in touch with a qualified counsellor, approved and recommended by Fr Chris.
Accepting counselling does not mean you have a problem or that there is something wrong with you, but simply that you have decided to do something positive about your well being. Counselling can be seen as a focussed space in which you can address some of the issues that have been troubling you.
Working together with your counsellor over a period of time, you will be able to step back, have time to view your situation, consider your choices and move in a direction that allows you to live your life to the best of your ability.
The range of issues which might be addressed are many - bereavement, loss, stress, depression, anger, self-image and esteem, trauma, bullying and other forms of abuse, separation/divorce, parenting, relationships and confidence building.
Ian D'Souza is a resident of Woodley and a regular attendee at St John Bosco and is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited counsellor. Each session lasts 50 minutes. The first three sessions are free, but voluntary church donations are welcome.
Meetings are held in the strictest confidence, and the issues raised remain a matter for you and Ian alone.
Please contact Ian D'Souza by email at ian_dsouza30@hotmail.com or telephone 079511 30941
Accepting counselling does not mean you have a problem or that there is something wrong with you, but simply that you have decided to do something positive about your well being. Counselling can be seen as a focussed space in which you can address some of the issues that have been troubling you.
Working together with your counsellor over a period of time, you will be able to step back, have time to view your situation, consider your choices and move in a direction that allows you to live your life to the best of your ability.
The range of issues which might be addressed are many - bereavement, loss, stress, depression, anger, self-image and esteem, trauma, bullying and other forms of abuse, separation/divorce, parenting, relationships and confidence building.
Ian D'Souza is a resident of Woodley and a regular attendee at St John Bosco and is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited counsellor. Each session lasts 50 minutes. The first three sessions are free, but voluntary church donations are welcome.
Meetings are held in the strictest confidence, and the issues raised remain a matter for you and Ian alone.
Please contact Ian D'Souza by email at ian_dsouza30@hotmail.com or telephone 079511 30941
Safeguarding
The parish safeguarding representative is responsible for implementing the diocesan guidelines for ensuring our community is as safe as possible for children, young people and vulnerable adults. These include the requirement that all people working in ministries involving these groups must provide documentation and submit to police checks. The policy is on display in the Church porch.
Further information is obtainable from Julie Fisher, the church’s Safeguarding and Child Protection representative.
Further information is obtainable from Julie Fisher, the church’s Safeguarding and Child Protection representative.
