Midwife for Souls : Spiritual Care for the Dying: A Pastoral Guide for Hospice Care Workers and All Who Live with the Terminally Ill

by Kalina, Kathy

• ISBN13: 9780819848567
• ISBN10: 0819848565
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-01-01
• Publisher: Pauline Books & Media

Summary

This classic work on the spirituality of caring for the dying is now expanded with moving stories and lessons gleaned from the author's experience as a hospice nurse. Caregivers, friends, and family members often feel unsure of what to say or do as they care for the terminally ill. Midwife for Souls provides insight, showing how the support of one's Catholic faith and the power of prayer can guide one in ministering to a dying person. Written in a style that is poetic and beautiful, practical and credible, this book is essential reading for anyone who accompanies others to the edge of life?and helps in their birthing to eternal life. Midwife for Souls is a pastoral guide for hospice care workers and all who live with or accompany the terminally ill. Kathy Kalina is a registered nurse and a woman of deep faith. She offers sound advice and wisdom that she has gathered from her own personal experience. Although a committed Catholic, her profound understanding of what the dying undergo during their final pilgrimage here on earth makes the book of value to everyone, regardless of religious preference. Key Features: ? OVER 30,000 COPIES SOLD!!! ? Describes the physical as well as spiritual signs of the dying process. ? Special appendices offer prayers and comforting Scripture passages for the dying and their loved ones. ? Revised edition includes a new section of inspiring stories and lessons learned in hospice ministry.

Author Biography

Kathy Kalina is a certified hospice and polliative nurse (CHPN) in Forth Worth, Texas

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Hospice Care	p. 1
The Dignity of the Dying	p. 1
The Death Event in a Fragmented Society	p. 4
Midwifery for Souls: Birthing to Eternal Life	p. 6
Family: The Basic Unit of Care	p. 8
Wounds and Battle Scars	p. 8
A Privileged Guest on the Journey	p. 10
You Are Not in Charge	p. 12
You Can't Fix Sick Families	p. 15
...But God Can	p. 16
The Work of Dying	p. 18
The Urgency to Love	p. 19
Life Review	p. 20
Reconciliation	p. 21
Am I Going to Die?	p. 22
Spiritual Distress	p. 23
Signs of Active Labor	p. 27
Dying Is a Physical Process	p. 27
Dying Is a Spiritual Process	p. 30
"An Angel from Heaven Appeared..."	p. 32
A Time for Detachment	p. 34
Praying Them over the Wall	p. 35
Soul-to-Soul Time	p. 35
A Time of Ultimate Choice	p. 36
Complications in the Dying Process	p. 37
Depending on Miracles	p. 40
Near "Bad Death" Experiences	p. 41
The Request for Death	p. 42
Timing	p. 45
Death of the Young	p. 45
Sudden Death Experience	p. 46
"A Time to Die"	p. 47
Calling in the Family	p. 49
The Final Farewells	p. 51
Ministering to the Bereaved	p. 52
Pastoral Care	p. 57
Working with the Family Minister	p. 57
Praying for Those Who Don't Pray	p. 58
Prayer with Families and Patients	p. 60
Spiritual Exercises for the Midwife	p. 62
Become a Pray-er	p. 62
Spiritual Reading	p. 66
Live in a State of Grace	p. 66
Live a Life of Forgiveness	p. 67
Live a Life of Joy	p. 67
The Problem of Suffering	p. 70
The Cause and the Cure	p. 70
The Question of "Assisted Death"	p. 73
The Presence of Christ	p. 74
Harvested Fruit	p. 76
Allow Yourself to Receive	p. 77
Allow Patients to Float Their Own Boat	p. 81
Bow Your Head to the Mystery of Suffering	p. 84
Practice Unconditional Love	p. 87
Learn How to Pray Out Loud	p. 90
Speak When Inspired	p. 93
Take Care of the Story	p. 95
Listen Well	p. 99
Be Able to Beg Forgiveness	p. 102
Suspend Judgment	p. 104
Get Bossy Sometimes	p. 108
Honor the Patient's Journey	p. 111
Don't Ever Think It's Easy	p. 114
Appendices
Prayers	p. 121
Prayer for the Dying	p. 121
Prayer at the Time of Death	p. 122
Prayer for the Family	p. 123
Midwife's Prayers	p. 123
Chaplet of Divine Mercy	p. 124
The Rosary	p. 124
Scriptural Comfort for the Dying and Their Families	p. 128
Suffering	p. 128
Hope	p. 131
Fear	p. 135
Forgiveness	p. 137
Heaven	p. 142
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