As we mark Spiritual Health Awareness Week, Providence Health Care joins the national celebration of 100 years of Clinical Psychospiritual Education (CPE)—a transformative model of experiential learning that has shaped generations of Spiritual Health Practitioners (SHPs).
At Providence, our SHPs walk alongside patients, families, and staff through life’s most profound moments, offering emotional and spiritual support rooted in compassion, presence, and deep listening.
This week, we honour two remarkable members of our Spiritual Health team: Cecilia Moore and Frani Goodman, whose stories reflect the heart of spiritual care and the legacy of CPE.
Cecilia Moore: a legacy of mentorship and whole-person healing
Cecilia began her journey in spiritual care at St. Paul’s Hospital in 1989. Though she completed her CPE training outside Providence, she played a pivotal role in shaping the department’s growth and excellence. A 1994 external review led to the hiring of a CPE supervisor and the designation of spiritual care as a “program of excellence”—a turning point for the profession at Providence.
Cecilia’s path has taken her across continents—from two years of theological studies in Lourdes, France, to a residency in California, and an online master’s in theology at Holy Apostles College and Seminary, completed alongside a health care ethics certification from the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Yet her heart remains with the patients and students she’s mentored over the years.
“The work of spiritual care is a great privilege—an opportunity to journey with and accompany a fellow traveler, often but not exclusively, at a challenging moment in their life,” she shares.
Cecilia’s reflections on experiential learning reveal the transformative power of CPE. Early in her career, she confronted personal fears around AIDS—a moment that, through reflection and support, became a gateway to deeper empathy and joy in her ministry.
“CPE helps us understand the attitudes and emotions we bring to encounters. Without awareness, these can affect others. With awareness, they become tools for healing.”
Frani Goodman: embracing difference, fostering belonging
For Frani, CPE at Providence was both a professional milestone and a deeply personal journey. As a Jewish woman entering a Catholic organization, she initially felt hesitant. But what she found was a space of profound connection and growth.
“Learning and sharing alongside a Catholic nun and a Catholic monk were some of the most valuable and deep experiences I will carry with me, always,” Frani recalls.
Her final student unit at St. Paul’s Hospital led her to long-term care, where she continues to serve with compassion and creativity. Frani describes experiential learning as a process of “colouring within the lines”—with the freedom to explore, and the safety of a supportive supervisor.
“CPE helped me find my growing edges and lean into them. It’s shaped not just my career, but my life.”
This year, Frani is celebrating Spiritual Health Awareness Week by leading interactive presentations at St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni, sharing the essence of spiritual care with nursing and interdisciplinary teams.
“My hope is that it fosters reflection for all team members—whether they’re new or seasoned. Spiritual Health is for everyone.”
Join our team: help shape the future of spiritual health
As we celebrate 100 years of Clinical Pastoral Education, we also look ahead to the future of spiritual care at Providence Health Care. If you feel called to walk alongside others in their most meaningful moments, we invite you to explore two exciting opportunities to join our team:
Whether you’re an experienced educator or a practitioner ready to take the next step, we welcome you to be part of a community where Spiritual Health is health—and where your work can make a lasting impact.
Story by Jessica Collins, Digital Recruitment Marketing Specialist
