Midwife for Souls: Spiritual Care for the Dying: A Pastoral Guide for Hospice Care Workers and All Who Live with the Terminally Ill / Edition 2

by Kathy Kalina

Overview

The first edition of this text was so beloved that it sold over 30,000 copies now it s your turn to discover why! Kathy Kalina, describes the physical as well as spiritual signs of the dying process in Midwife for Souls. She offers years of qualified experience and spiritual wisdom that will inform and comfort caregivers and loved ones. Caregivers, friends, and family members often feel unsure of what to say or do as they care for the terminally ill. This book provides insight, showing how the support of one s Catholic faith and the power of prayer can be a guide in ministering to a dying person. This book is essential reading for anyone who accompanies others to the edge of life and helps in their birthing to eternal life

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780819848567
Publisher:	Pauline Books & Media
Publication date:	01/28/2007
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	145
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Kathy Kalina completed her ADN at Tarrant County Junior College, Fort Worth, TX, in 1978, and her BSN at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1987. Kathy is a certified hospice and palliative nurse (CHPN) in Fort Worth, Texas.

Table of Contents

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