End of Life A Ministry of Love

The Oklahoma Association for Healthcare Ethics is sponsoring a day workshop, Friday, November 18, titled “Practical Bioethics Across the Lifespan.”  This workshop is  focusing on an array of “End of life” topics.  One of the eight sessions will be presented by Mary Diane Steltenkamp, Parish Nurse.  She will present “Finding Healing throughout the Dying Process.”

 End of life concerns are more than just having our legal  documents in order, Mary Diane said.  It is about finding healing as we cross a new threshold in our life.  This session will define the difference between curing and healing, identify the spiritual dimensions of care throughout the dying   process and give examples of rituals used to accompany one at the end of life.  For more information please call 405-236-2280 or 1-888-687-2280.

Sue Moore, MSW, a parishioner from St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, provides presentations addressing “Ethical or Spiritual Wills.”  She describes the process of writing “love letters” to family members.  She can be reached at 405-359-8592.

End of Life Panel Discussions have occurred in several parishes the past few months.  These panels have had an attorney, pastor, physician, and parish nurse each addressing their specific area of “End of Life.”  Parish Nurses in the faith community have coordinated these programs.