Selected Mailings online
Posted Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Pastoral Care for Clergy
When the Standing Committee called me to serve as Assisting Bishop, one of the primary duties they had in mind was pastoral care of the clergy of the Diocese and their families. This continues to be a meaningful role for me.
To extend it, I want to continue a practice that goes back many years in this Diocese. When Barbara Blodgett retired, the Rev. Christine Ritter was asked to administer the Wellness Fund, which provides funding for emergency health needs of clergy and families. She does this, but she brings other gifts as a trained psychotherapist, as well.
Christine received her MSW from Rutgers University in 1981 and worked for Catholic Charities, Trenton, NJ, from 1981 until 1988 as a psychotherapist and administrative clinical director with specialties in individual, couple, and family therapy, as well as in alcohol and other addictions. Sensing a call to priesthood in 1988, she joined the staff of Trinity Counseling Service, Princeton, NJ, and served there as a psychotherapist until her entry into The General Seminary in 1993.
With the Standing Committee’s concurrence, I have asked Christine to serve as an additional resource to clergy of this Diocese for pastoral care. Matters shared with her may if desired remain completely confidential. She may be reached at Church House, (215) 627-6434×146, at her home, (215) 938-8633, or by cell phone (215) 840-9305. Her email at home is rev.chris@comcast.net . At Church House her email is christener@diopa.org .
Bishop Allen Bartlett