Spiritual health is an essential part of overall well-being. It helps people find meaning, hope, purpose, connection and belonging, particularly during times of uncertainty, loss and transition. Yet, it is often a dimension of well-being that is taken for granted or overlooked.

Many people face life challenges that affect them physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. These experiences can give rise to profound questions about meaning, identity, faith, and hope, sometimes resulting in moral and spiritual crises and deep spiritual wounds. Many seek support through Anglican Community Ministries, where compassionate care accompanies people through some of life’s most difficult circumstances.

Serving within these ministries are two chaplains, Deacon Jarrett Carty and the Rev. Canon Hilary Anne Murray. Their work is often quiet and unassuming, blending into the daily life of the organizations they serve. Yet, through listening, presence, prayer, spiritual reflection, and compassionate accompaniment, they help create space for people to be heard, find meaning, and reconnect with hope.

Deacon Jarrett Carty:

As chaplain for Belong Ottawa’s day programs, I believe that this ministry serves as a visible sign of a caring church and loving God for some of the most vulnerable people in our city. When I visit, I always wear my clergy clothes and collar, and this is not a sign that I am somehow special or set apart but to show with my presence that the church cares about them and walks with them and that God loves them. Many people coming to Belong’s locations seem to be caught in the confluences of mental health, addiction, and poverty. For me, the chaplain’s role is to be with anyone who comes through our doors and to show that though the challenges and barriers in their lives are real, their lives still have great spiritual meaning.

The Rev. Canon Hilary Murray

As the clinical chaplain at Cornerstone Housing for Women, my ministry is rooted in the belief that every person deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with dignity. I walk alongside women and gender-diverse people experiencing homelessness, trauma, grief, and life transitions, offering compassionate presence, spiritual care, and a listening ear in times of uncertainty and change. Through individual conversations, prayer circles, meditation, creative activities, and opportunities for reflection, I create welcoming spaces where people of diverse faiths, spiritual traditions, and beliefs can explore what gives their lives meaning, strength, and hope. My ministry also extends to the dedicated frontline staff who accompany residents through complex and often painful circumstances, providing emotional and spiritual support that nurtures connection, resilience, and well-being.

At the heart of chaplaincy is a ministry of presence: honouring each person’s story, nurturing hope, and fostering healing and belonging. During Spiritual Health Awareness Week, may we recognize the importance of spiritual well-being in ourselves and others, remembering that we do not have to journey alone.

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