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Honoring Chaplain Month: A Conversation with Chaplain Intern Marjie Parenteau

As we celebrate Chaplain Month, we’re highlighting the compassionate spiritual care provided by our chaplains and chaplain interns who walk alongside patients and families during life’s most tender moments.

At Community Healthcare of Texas, our chaplain interns work closely with our Grief Care Services team to support patients and families through anticipatory and process grief, lead grief support groups, and provide emotional and spiritual guidance.

In this first Chaplain Month spotlight, we sat down with Chaplain Intern Marjie Parenteau, who is pursuing her Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry at TCU Brite Divinity School, with plans to graduate in the fall of 2027.

What led you to explore spiritual care as part of your training?
Before TCU Brite, I was in a two-year certificate program at Oblate School of Theology that focused on spirituality for the second-half of life. Spiritual care is a keen area of interest as I recognize a lack of spiritual guidance in churches and theological circles, particularly for those moving into their later years of life—from the aging process and ultimately towards one’s death.

Why did you choose to complete your internship with Community Healthcare of Texas?
I saw a posting on TCU Brite’s field education site for a Bereavement Intern at Community Healthcare of Texas (CHOT) and felt it was an ideal fit. I witnessed the wonderful work of hospice first-hand with my father and brother and two dear friends. In each instance, hospice provided a way for each of these loved ones to face their death experience with dignity and compassion.

Every day in hospice and palliative care brings something new. What kinds of responsibilities or experiences have shaped your time as a chaplain intern so far?
It has been inspiring to witness the amazing work of CHOT first-hand. To date, I have shadowed four spiritual care coordinators, a social worker, and a nurse, learning how they function as a cohesive team. A common denominator I’ve noted across their unique roles is that they all bring a calm and compassionate presence into every patient situation. I continue making patient visits with my assigned SCC and bereavement calls to offer grief support services.

Even in these early days, has anything surprised you about working in hospice and palliative care?
Most of our patients have been very welcoming and it is a reminder how much people need connection and reassurance/comfort, particularly at the end of life. I have learned a lot about the nuances and best practices in patient/family encounters. I am surprised to learn some of the things I may have said/done previously are not necessarily the best approach, so I continue to observe and apply those learnings to improve my spiritual care practices.

Looking ahead, what kind of career do you hope to have, and how do you see this internship preparing you for that path?
I consider my work with hospice as a second career, having retired after years as a corporate professional. This area of work excites me because it aligns with my personal vision in wanting to give my life away in the second chapter of my life. I cannot think of a better way to live out my theology by applying my personal/professional experience and education in befriending others at the end of their life. I am still discerning next steps, but am confident my CHOT experience will be transformative as I commit my future work in service of others.

What have you learned during your time with CHOT that you hope to carry with you, both professionally and personally?
The most impactful lesson I have learned to date is the profound gift of being fully present to another human being and actively and compassionately listening to others. I am grateful for each CHOT member I’ve had the privilege of working with to date, and look forward to continuing to grow and learn so I too can become a listening and caring presence to all I encounter.

We are grateful for Marjie’s compassion and dedication as she serves patients and families throughout her internship. Chaplains like Marjie play an essential role in providing emotional and spiritual support during some of life’s most meaningful transitions. To learn more about our Grief Care Services program, visit https://www.chot.org/grief-care-services/.

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