Spiritual Care is an integral part of Senior Care
Spiritual Care Services Offered
- Communion services both congregational and individually
- Sunday morning church services led by tenants of the Elderly Persons Housing in the EPH
- Catholic Mass – bi-weekly
- Weekly church services on each unit of the PCH
- Weekly Bible Studies in English and German
- Spiritual Care visits by Donwood Chaplain or volunteers
- End of Life care and officiating at funerals
What is Spiritual Care?
All of us are spiritual people, regardless of faith background, denomination, or choice to not be part of a faith community. Spiritual care staff at Donwood offer support to all, while at the same time, our residents’ own pastors, priests, or rabbis are always welcome to visit.
Spiritual care and support are offered to the residents of Donwood Manor and their families from a faith-based place of hope, peace and meaning. The spiritual care programs provide familiar rituals and meaningful interaction. Our chaplain and spiritual care volunteers provide visits of compassionate and empathic presence. These visits provide the space within which to reflect on life’s struggles and joys, bringing encouragement, prayer and Scripture, where appropriate, especially in seasons of loneliness and loss.
Each person we encounter every day has a story to tell and a gift from God to share with others, and it is in that understanding that we nurture a ministry of calm and loving Christ-like presence at Donwood Manor.
Meet our Chaplains
Gerhard Friesen, Mdiv., BA, BTh.
Gerhard was born in Paraguay, moving to Canada with his wife Mary in 1966. Once settled in Winnipeg, Gerhard began his studies at M.B.B.C (now Canadian Mennonite University) and the University of Winnipeg which lead him in the pastorate. For 19 years, he pastored at Mennonite churches within Winnipeg and Paraguay. Completing his M.Div. degree in 1992 he then continued his studies and became certified as a spiritual care specialist.
In 1994, Gerhard began work as a chaplain at two personal care homes in Winnipeg (Bethania Personal Care Home and Donwood Manor) as well as Concordia Hospital. After retirement from full-time work as a chaplain, Donwood Manor hired Gerhard on a contract basis to conduct weekly German Bible studies.
Married to Mary, they have two adult children and four grandchildren . When Gerhard is practicing retirement, he enjoys woodworking, cycling, talking with people and reading.
Gerhard is much loved at Donwood and his ministry in both German and English has nurtured the soul of many residents and tenants residing at Donwood Personal Care Home and Elderly Persons Housing.
Gerhard leads German Bible Study on Thursday evenings at Donwood Manor.
