Focus Includes Respect For The Dying

The Catholic Church observes Respect Life Month every October. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops calls Catholics to renew their personal commitment to defend all human life, especially the most vulnerable members of the human family.

Linda Schmitt knew about hospice in a professional way as a registered nurse. She learned about it in a personal way when her father-in-law received hospice care back in 2005.

A few months later, when her husband, Allen, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, they chose hospice care, allowing him to remain in his home at the end of his life.

Through both of those experiences, she developed a deep respect for the concept of hospice which focuses on giving dignity to life until God call them home, sometimes in their own homes and sometimes in a nursing facility.

And a year after her husband's death, she became a volunteer at an Evansville area hospice.

"I wanted to volunteer," she said, explaining, "I saw what they did for us."

The facility's policy did not allow her to volunteer the first year after her husband's death, allowing her instead "to get through my own grief and bereavement."

As soon as she was eligible, she became a hospice volunteer. Was it a good decision? "It's the best I ever made to volunteer and be a part of caring for others during these difficult times," she said, adding, "I needed to help others."

She's a parishioner at St. Wendel Parish in St. Wendel, and says she "always believed in respect for life, being a nursing professional and being a Catholic."

She believes that she is able to share her vocation and care for patients, their families, even the staff, but especially for the patient who has been "entrusted to us."

She has learned that "everybody dies in a different way. Some struggle, and some have beautiful, peaceful deaths." While they are in the facility, if they are Catholic, she often prays with them and with their family members. "We pray the rosary," she said, adding, "we pray and cry." For other faiths, I can pray silently.

When her husband received his diagnosis, he was given between two and five years to live. "You don't actively think about it," she said, "but you try to bring joy into your life. It's the same here."

If the patient has a pet, "they are able to bring it in," and children and grandchildren are encouraged to visit as well.

Is the volunteer work fulfilling? Yes, she answers.

"I know I can still give of myself to help someone else. The bonus is to share my faith with someone else – hopefully, by example."