Being invited into the sacred space of people’s lives is a privilege says Marist Father, and director of the Fullness of Life Centre, Stephen Truscott.
Fr Truscott made the comment in an interview with Rachel Curry of The Record; a publication of the Archdiocese of Perth.
Around 30 years ago Fr Truscott and Celia Joyce established the Fullness of Life Centre in Perth, Western Australia to help people find their own paths.
The Fullness of Life Centre offers professional supervision, spiritual accompaniment, counselling, staff development, retreats, workshops and employee assistance programmes.
Fr Truscott says his “job” often confuses people in parishes; but there is no line of work in which he’d rather be.
Having worked as a young priest in several Marist parishes in Australia, Fr Truscott describes his work with people through the Fullness of Life Centre as “more engaging” and “not preachy”.
“It is a privilege to be invited into the sacred space of people’s lives in all its messiness”, he said.
“At the end of the day we’re guests on other people’s journeys”.
“A truth told is never the same as a truth discovered.”
Co-founder and co-director in the Fullness of Life Centre, Celia Joyce came to the Centre after working as a nurse and mid-wife.
“I loved my nursing, but the busyness of nursing meant there wasn’t always the appropriate care given to people”, she said.
The former mid-wife says she now helps give birth to people’s lives in another way.
“A truth told is never the same as a truth discovered.”
Secure video-conferening outreach
Through the use of secure video-conferencing technology the Fullness of Life Centre now also offers its services in ‘a space’ rather than ‘a place’.
As well as offering a convenient solution for busy people in cities Fr Truscott sees the secure video-conferencing solution as an important outreach to people on the margins, those living in rural and isolated settings, people who are housebound and even people who are living overseas.
“Location no longer limits the space in which clients and service providers meet”, Fr Truscott said.
Fullness of Life Centre welcomes all
The Fullness of Life Centre tries to offers its services to all people, particularly in marginal settings, Fr Truscott says.
The Centre is self-funding and to accommodate people it has a sliding scale of fees.
Fr Truscott and Ms Joyce both retrained to take up their current positions.
Fr Truscott has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago and a PhD from Murdoch University.
Ms Joyce undertook Clinical Pastoral Education at Royal Perth Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. She later established the Pastoral Care Department at Mercy Hospital, now St John of God, Mt Lawley. She has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, Chicago.
Sources
- The Record: Publication of the Archdiocese of Perth, Western Australia
- Supplied